“We’re gobsmacked by the response to Charity and Vanessa!”

Are we up against Robron? I don’t think ‘Vanity’ are anywhere near as big as them!” exclaims Michelle Hardwick (Vanessa), as we ask her and Emma Atkins (Charity) whether they can give Robert and Aaron a run for their money in our Best Partnership category. “They have a huge following,” remarks Emma. “It’s fine, we’ll just leave them to it!” The ladies are very gracious about their competition – but actually, they’re the ones to beat. The flashback episode they were involved in, telling the story of Charity’s teenage heartbreak, is nominated for our Best Show-stopper Award – while Emma is also up for Best Actress and Best Bad Girl. It’s been quite the year for Charity and Vanessa…

How would you sum up the journey so far for your characters?

Emma In one year, they’ve had a right bloody hellish time discovering Charity’s past, haven’t they?

Michelle It’s more than Vanessa ever bargained for, but she has stuck by Charity through thick and thin. I love that they came together and it wasn’t from an affair. There was no cheating. Emma That’ll be next year, love.

Michelle Oh, God!

Do you remember the first conversation you had after you found out that Charity and Vanessa were going to get it on in the pub cellar?

Michelle We were sat there in the Woolpack!

Emma And you said, “We’re powernecking in the next script”.

Michelle I did not say that! She keeps saying this, and do you know how I know that I didn’t say that? Because she taught me that phrase! Anyway, I told Emma and she thought I was making it up! She got quite mad with me.

Emma I just thought, ‘This makes no sense – how is that going to happen?’ We went down into the pub cellar for that first kiss and just said, “Right, we need to make this work!”

What is the best thing about working with each other now?

Michelle Even before I joined the show, Charity was one of my favourite characters – ridiculously so! I always thought she was really laughout-loud funny, so I was actually a bit nervous when I found out I was going to be working with Emma.

Emma Aww no, really?

Michelle I’ve never told her this before! Emma is so clever with a script. Her delivery is second to none.

Were you surprised by the extent that the show has delved into Charity’s past?

Emma I feel like this has been the best era for me in the 20 years that I have been playing Charity. Usually my character is putting on a wig and stealing cars, and she’s an absolute cow – so I’ve never experienced people telling me that my story has really touched them. It’s been overwhelming.

Michelle We’ve been gobsmacked by the response – not only to Charity and Vanessa as a partnership, but to the journey they’ve been on together.

What was the most challenging aspect of Charity’s story to film?

Michelle Without a shadow of a doubt, the flashback episode and when Charity confessed to Vanessa that Bails raped her.

Emma They were big speeches. I practised in my mum’s bedroom for a weekend and asked if my parents would look after Albert [Emma’s son]. I just thought, ‘I need to do this as I might never have the chance again’ – so I worked my butt off!

How do you each go home and switch off after a heavy day like that?

Michelle When we were filming some of that stuff back-to-back, it probably didn’t leave our systems for a good two weeks after – but Emma has Albert, and I guess you just do switch off.

Emma For me it’s home, child, dog – they are the priorities. Once they are dealt with, I learn my lines and before I know it, it’s 11:15pm and

I’m getting up again in six hours.

Michelle I have a Cavapoo called Fred – who has appeared in Inside Soap! My mum gets your mag all the time, so she phoned me up and was like, “Michelle, there is a picture of you and Fred!” when you ran a feature on soap stars and their pets. I’d only had him a week!

Speaking of animals, have you had any diva animals in the village veterinary surgery recently?

Michelle No, as Vanessa is suspended, isn’t she? It’s a very touchy subject!

Emma You worked with a snake, though, which made me squirm!

Michelle Yes, when Vanessa was being investigated. I had to take it off this cage, but it started getting a bit spiky. It was bristling, this angry snake!

Emma Could it have bitten you?

Michelle Well, maybe! Even though it was a little one, the man said its jaws were going, so every time I felt it tense up I said, “No – cut”!

Of all the awards you are nominated for, which one would mean the most to win?

Michelle I would absolutely love Emma to get Best Actress as I know how hard she has worked.

Emma I would just feel honoured and amazed to get any one of them. I don’t often win awards so I’m not holding out any hope, but it would be so brilliant to win – I’m not going to lie! I’d love that after all the hard work.

Are you pleased Charity is still naughty enough to garner a spot in our Best Bad Girl category?

Emma Yes! I really hope that side of her sustains itself, as I like that element of mischief. They do write such brilliant one-liners for me and I love playing her.

Michelle I don’t think it would be realistic if you lost that.

Would you like Vanessa and Charity to go the distance?

Michelle For now, absolutely. It’s a soap so there might not be a happy ending, and they’re going to have their ups and downs. We’ll have to see if any cheating happens, but I hope it doesn’t. Emma It would be a shame.

Michelle If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

“I’m not going to lie – it would be brilliant to win!” EMMA