Sophie Thompson admits she lives in an ‘attic’ – a far cry from sister Emma’s lavish homes

Emma Thompson’s sister Sophie has detailed her cosy life residing in an ‘attic in east London,’ a far cry from her siblings trio of homes.

The EastEnders star, 60, admitted that while Emma is used to donning glamorous gowns on the red carpet, she prefers to pick up her clothes in charity shops.

Emma, who recently starred in the racy comedy-drama  Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, owns homes in north London, Scotland and Venice.

Sophie, who has also had roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Persuasion and Coronation Street, told The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘[My home] is an attic in the East End of London and it’s full of colour.

‘I always say to my mates, ‘I’m in the eyrie’, which is usually used to describe a bird’s nest.

‘I have to keep it tidy as it’s pretty small. I used to live in a big, ramshackle house with a kitchen.’

She adds: ‘My money is mostly spent in cheese shops and charity shops. I get my whole wardrobe from the charity shop.’

Different: The EastEnders star admitted that she while Emma is used to donning glamorous gowns on the red carpet, she much prefers to pick up her clothes in charity shops

Sophie previously admitted that there is no rivalry between herself and Emma for acting roles, telling The Daily Mail: ‘People assume there is this rivalry, but there isn’t. It wouldn’t occur to me to compare myself to her, nor her to me.’ 

Emma herself was recently at the centre of a debate surrounding her next movie, which sees her donning a ‘fat suit’ for the role of Roald Dahl’s Miss Trunchbull in a big screen musical adaptation of Matilda.

With the release of the trailer for the anticipated film last week came a debate about whether Emma was the right casting for the key character from Dahl’s beloved 1988 book.

Insight: Sophie (pictured in character in Sandylands) said: ‘My money is mostly spent in cheese shops and charity shops. I get my whole wardrobe from the charity shop’

Some commenters have said Emma, who wore a similar suit to play Karen in Love Actually, wearing body prosthetics is ‘offensive’.

One critic wrote on Twitter: ‘Yes, it’s offensive about Emma Thompson wearing a fat suit in Matilda. But the initial failure is that almost every woman Dahl wrote is either a sugar-sweet, pretty, good natured Miss Honey or a haggard evil (and in his mind, physically disgusting) Miss Trunchbull.’

Another stated: ‘I love Emma Thompson. She’s amazing.

‘However, there are many wonderfully talented plus-sized actresses who are constantly disregarded & should be considered for these roles instead of making a thin actress wear a fat suit.’

Living it up: Emma, who recently starred in the racy comedy-drama Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (pictured), owns homes in north London, Scotland and Venice