EMMERDALE star Sophie Powles has opened up about her shock comeback to the soap after eight years.
The actress – who plays Holly Barton in the ITV soap – was last seen in the soap in 2016 when her character died of an overdose.
But in tonight’s episode she appeared to mum Moira as she underwent brain surgery.
Now Sophie has opened up about her return and why she reprised her role.
“I was really happy to come back,” she said.
“Being a part of Emmerdale was just the best experience. Genuinely made friends for life in the cast and crew, learnt so much and have the best memories.
“So really grateful to come back and work with friends again on a show I love so much.”
Sophie added: “It was so lovely to come back for the day. To be honest it felt like I had never left. It was just a great day doing what I love with people I love.”
She also opened up about how on-screen mum Natalie J. Robb helped her get back into the role.
“Natalie and I Facetimed the night before to run everything and check we were on the same page,” she said.
“And the minute I was back on sat with Natalie also in character I just slipped straight back into character. Hair, makeup and costume did an amazing job of helping me feel like Holly again.”
She added: “Natalie is just the most incredible actress.
“She puts her heart and soul into every storyline. She researches everything to give the most authentic experience. What I’ve seen has been so heartbreaking and obviously brilliant.”
And Sophie said: “I really do miss the show and working with friends.
“As an actress, constant work is really rare. I miss just knowing I would be doing what I love every week.”
“I have the best memories of working on Emmerdale,” she added.
“I was so young when I started the show. I learnt so much. Laughed A LOT and made friends I call family.
“A lot of the older cast and crew took me under their wing and showed me so much love and kindness.
Soap stars leaving this year
Soap has – or will lose some iconic characters this year – here we’ve rounded up the latest departures…
EASTENDERS
Navin Chowdhry
CORONATION STREET
Calum Lill
Bill Fellows
Launa Santos
Helen Worth
Lucy Fallon
HOLLYOAKS
Matthew James Bailey
Gregory Finnegan
Stephanie Warring
Annie Wallace
NEIGHBOURS
Ryan Maloney
Lucinda Cowden
“Sadly some of them are know longer with us. Especially my beautifully magic friend Kitty, our incredible producer Gavin.
“I’ll always be so grateful that I met them and for everything they did for me.”
