Silva was born in
Norbury, London, and was educated at the
Sylvia Young Theatre School. Her first television appearance was as Squeak in part 3 of the 1989
Doctor Who story
Survival, which was the final episode transmitted in the original series' 26-year run. She also appeared in
Mr Majeika,
The Bill and
EastEnders. Silva is most famous for playing the role of
Kelly Windsor in the television
soap opera Emmerdale, which she first played from 1993 to 2000 before returning to the soap in 2005. Her plotlines have been amongst the most daring in the soap opera, including a relationship with her stepbrother and running off with one of her school teachers. During her period away from
Emmerdale, Silva appeared on
Is Harry on the Boat?,
Mile High,
The Courtroom, the independent film
Jam and ''
Lily Savage's Blankety Blank''. Silva became established as a
sex symbol and has appeared in men's magazines like
Front,
FHM and
Maxim. Silva has also made appearances in the reality television shows
Celebrity Fear Factor,
The Salon, ''
I'm Famous and Frightened! and Celebrity 5 Go Dating''. Silva left
Emmerdale in late 2007 to pursue other roles, initially promising fans that she would return to play Kelly in late 2008, although it was reported in January 2008 that she would not be returning to the show "in the immediate future". Silva appeared in the third series of ''
Hell's Kitchen where she came second to Barry McGuigan. Silva had a lead role in the short film Karma Magnet
alongside Gary Kemp, which was directed by Martin Kemp. Silva also appeared on Celebrity Weakest Link'', which she won. In September 2008, following her success in ''Hell's Kitchen
, Silva released her own limited edition selection of wines as part of a new Internet reality show Mistress of the Vines'', in association with wine merchants Stowell's. She also made a cameo in the cult horror film
Doghouse starring
Danny Dyer and
Noel Clarke. Silva took part in a celebrity version of TV show
Total Wipeout which aired on 26 December 2009. In 2011, Silva starred in the comedy/horror film
Strippers vs Werewolves with
Robert Englund and guest-starred in romcom
How to Stop Being a Loser opposite
Richard E. Grant. Silva appeared in an episode of
The Real Hustle. It was announced on 5 November 2010 that Silva would return to
Emmerdale in early 2011. She appeared in the one-woman comedy play
51 Shades of Maggie, written by Leesa Harker, inspired by EL James' infamous erotic novels, in the 2013 Autumn UK tour. In July 2015, Silva appeared in the
Channel 4 soap opera,
Hollyoaks, for a guest stint as
Angela Brown, who expressed an interest in adopting her relative,
Peri Lomax's (Ruby O'Donnell), baby daughter
Steph. ==Personal life==