When Mel Giedroyc started her stint presenting BBC Two's The Great British Bake Off, she promised herself to watch her waistline.

Alongside comedy partner Sue Perkins, the pair vowed to pick at dainty little portions of baked treats.

"It was horrendous," said Mel, 43.

"The first few episodes, we were very good, eating small portions.

"Now, we just tuck in to whatever we can get our hands on."

Mel is currently taking a break from her culinary skills with her performance in The Vagina Monologues, which will be staged at Hull New Theatre tomorrow.

The witty production is based on interviews conducted with women around the world.

The week-long string of dates started last week in Newcastle and will finish in Blackpool this weekend.

For Mel, it's not the first time she has been involved with the show.

"The Vagina Monologues toured for three months last year and I did a week at the end of the road," said Mel, 43, whose vast range of television and radio appearances include The Vicar Of Dibley and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.

"Coronation Street actresses Wendi Peters and Zaraah Abrahams were in it, along with EastEnders' Louisa Lytton, who I took over from.

"I've been doing the production on and off for a few years now and it's a lovely show to dip in to.

"The cast is always changing and you get to do different monologues, which keeps it fresh.

"Every person that takes part brings something different to the table each time."

Mel will line up alongside Anne Charleston, who is best known for her iconic role of Madge Bishop in Neighbours, and Hayley Tamaddon, who played Delilah Dingle in Emmerdale.

The Vagina Monologues has always attracted a remarkable cast of national and international stars, including Maureen Lipman, Sophie Dahl, Dannii Minogue and Jenni Éclair. On Broadway, the show has been performed by Glenn Close, Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg.

"I love doing The Vagina Monologues," said Mel.

"I enjoy the range of material it includes. There's slapstick, wordy parts and such clever stuff thrown in there, along with a couple of pretty harrowing monologues. It also touches on the topic of rape, which is really serious.

"For me, I love doing the funny parts. It's always good to go back to doing live comedy. You get a good response."

Mel also enjoys the "girls night out" atmosphere The Vagina Monologues brings.

"We always gets lots of women coming to see the show – along with the odd bloke," laughs Mel.

"When they get tanked up on white wine, it can be quite a wild and raucous occasion.

"We have ladies who come back to see it time and time again.

"It's a fun show and I'm lucky to feel part of it."