“Victoria’s story’s been terrifying for me – but so rewarding...”

Dales favourite Isabel Hodgins took over the role of Victoria when she was just 13 years old – and now here she is a whopping 13 years later, anchoring a hugely important storyline for the show with Victoria’s rape ordeal – earning her first-ever Best Actress nomination in the process…

Hi, Isabel! You have grown up on

Emmerdale, and now you’ve been given the opportunity to shine in a big plot. A lot of responsibility must come with that?

Oh, massively so – and I was terrified! Part of me was really excited, but a bit of me was like, ‘Oh crumbs! What if I let everyone down?’ But I feel like I’ve proven myself, and been rewarded with a very important and poignant story.

The rape scenes were incredibly tough to watch. Were they hard for you to film?

Honestly, even though it was awful, filming was such a team effort and collaboration on set. I had only met Kris [Mochrie, who plays Lee] the day before, and after we filmed the more physical scenes, Lee was so lovely and helped me to my feet.

How is Kris finding it all? His character Lee is so evil…

Lee’s horrible, isn’t he? Which is mad, because Kris is so lovely in real life. My mum met him recently and was like, “He’s a dream!” I think he’s pleased to be part of an important story.

The storyline is traumatic – have you managed to switch off when you’ve left work and gone home?

I’ve just been eating my feelings! I get home, and I’m so exhausted because I’ve been crying as Victoria that I’m straight on to Deliveroo! Or it’s a whole block of Dairy Milk, followed by three ice creams. It’s as if I really am expecting a baby and eating for two! But you know,

I’ve been here long enough to know, ‘That’s my work’, and all I need to do is meet up with some of my friends to snap out of it straight away.

The flashback week is also in contention for

the fiercely contested Best Shock Twist award…

I’m so pleased! When we go big, it’s go hard or go home, and this really had people talking. I was so focussed on my own storyline, but I share a dressing room with Roxy Shahidi [who plays Leyla] and found myself asking her,

“So what did happen to Maya”?

Have you managed to find lighter moments on set to balance out Victoria’s heavy scenes?

The thing is, Danny Miller [who plays Aaron] and Ryan Hawley [aka Robert] are like children! It’s just impossible not to have fun at work.

On a scale of one to 10, how gutted are you that Ryan will be leaving the show?

Oh, about a nine at the moment! You see, Ryan is so annoying [laughs], but he has really got under my skin and

I love him like a real brother. Due to the storyline, I see him more than I see my actual family. I don’t want him to go, it’s just so sad!

Not a day goes by without Inside Soap readers asking us if Victoria’s husband Adam Barton will return… What’s the latest on a potential comeback for Vic’s ex?

Aw, he’s not coming back! Adam [Thomas, who played him] is opening up his own restaurant! As much as I adore Adam, no doubt I’ll have a newborn baby on set to act with, so I can’t have him as well. It’ll be like having two kids!

We’re absolutely loving your new pixie haircut. What were the best reactions from the cast on your new look?

Everybody at work loves it! I was having it cut in the make-up room and people kept popping their heads in. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but

I’m happy. My life is so much easier now. I don’t think

I ever want hair again!

As Victoria’s pregnancy progresses, you must be required to wear a baby bump while filming. How are you finding having to do that?

Well, I’ve just tried one on that is meant to represent the second trimester, and where I’m 5ft 2in and small, it made me look like I was full term with triplets! I was really excited for it at first, but wearing it in the summer can make you feel as though you’re melting from the inside out!

And how are you feeling about the prospect of working closely with a young baby?

Aw, I love babies! I have a niece and nephew, and I’m a very hands-on auntie. If this storyline had come along before the two of them were born, I might have thought,

‘Oh, my goodness’ – but it’ll be a doddle. I know all the tricks!