SPARKS WILL FLY!

Michelle Hardwick – Emmerdale’s Vanessa Woodfield – on the fireworks that’ll result from the factory fire

Losing their father in the recent factory fire has been tough for Emmerdale’s half-sisters Vanessa Woodfield and Tracy Metcalfe, who have both come to accept he was to blame for his own death. But while the village thinks ex-con Frank Clayton was at the scene trying to steal charity money from the safe, viewers know he was actually trying to rescue Tracy from peril.

Instead the blame lies solely with Amy and Kerry Wyatt, who accidentally started the blaze while covering their tracks after nicking the cash. As they continue to hide the truth, woe betide the Wyatts if it comes out. ‘There would be fireworks,’ says Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa. ‘There’d be pure anger from Vanessa and Tracy. I wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of them.’

Kerry and Amy unknowingly started the factory fire while destroying CCTV equipment to cover up Kerry stealing the money, which they were using to help Amy pay off a debt. Having discovered Tracy was in the building, Frank rushed in and saved his daughter before going back to get the engagement ring he bought for Megan Macey, but he was killed in an explosion.

Since then, viewers have seen a fall- out between Tracy, who has been desperately trying to prove Frank’s innocence, and Vanessa, who’s been trying to get her half-sister to accept their dad was to blame. ‘Because the charity money has been stolen everyone assumes the fire was Frank’s fault, but Tracy doesn’t think so,’ explains Michelle. ‘Vanessa is older and knows what her dad used to be like, so she believes Frank was

behind it all and, even though she’s been grieving, she’s grieving differently to Tracy. It’s caused a rift.’

This week, with Tracy still focused on proving her dad’s innocence and lashing out, Vanessa will prepare a birthday tea for her sister in an attempt to reach out, and before long Tracy will be sobbing in her arms. ‘Vanessa is trying to be there for her as a sister, telling her she’s got to stop blaming everyone,’ says Michelle.

Tracy will later admit to Vanessa how betrayed she feels by Frank. ‘Tracy thought he was going to change for them. I hope Frank’s innocence comes out, as it’ll make them closer.’

Michelle, 43 and from Wakefield, is in her seventh year in the Dales, and feels ‘grateful’ every day. She also has Emmerdale to thank for her engagement to show producer Kate Brooks. The pair have a dog – a Cavapoo – called Fred, and will marry soon.

However, Vanessa jokes their relationship has ruined her Emmerdale viewing. ‘I’d watch religiously at 7pm but Kate’s already seen them for work, so now I watch on catch-up.’