Patsy Kensit
“Faye has developed terrible heart problems!”
This week’s Holby City opens with an almighty crack of thunder, as torrential rain lashes down outside the hospital. Yet, that’s nothing compared to the other big storm heading in Jac’s direction, as her ex Joseph Byrne and love rival Faye Morton make their hugely anticipated return! Actress Patsy Kensit, who plays Faye – and who is also famous in soapland for playing Sadie King in Emmerdale – dishes the drama…
It’s lovely to chat again, Patsy! What tempted you back to Holby for this story?
Well, it’s the 20th anniversary year of the show, which is unbelievable! They explained how they were going to bring back Faye, and I thought the script was fantastic. Rosie [Marcel, who plays Jac] and Luke [Roberts, aka Joseph] were both my best friends when I used to work there, so it was great to do it all again.
Faye and Joseph are back together! What brings them to Holby this time?
Faye has developed a drinking problem. She is in recovery, but has been left with terrible heart problems as a result. On this hideous night with gale force winds blowing, Faye and Joseph are forced to go back to Holby as her heart is about to give out completely, and there’s a transplant opportunity. So they end up in a room with Jac, who hates Faye – and has to cut her open!
What did you enjoy most about reviving Faye and Jac’s rivalry?
Well, what I loved about the script is that Faye is actually a bit of a bitch! In the past, Jac was the one who told it like was – and still does – whereas Faye went about things more sneakily. But here she is, lying in bed dying – and saying what she means!
We also loved your role in the Dales as Sadie King. Where do you imagine Sadie is now?
She’s probably somewhere like Peru or Argentina, plotting her return. Maybe Sadie is mother to Cain’s child, as we didn’t know if she was pregnant or not when she left. We can all dream!
Would you ever fancy a return to Emmerdale to see Sadie lock horns with Kim Tate?
I’m always open to great material, and I would love to get into a soap again and play a matriarchal character. After filming Holby I went straight into Agatha Raisin for Sky, and I’ve just finished shooting a movie called
The Pebble And The Boy – so it just depends on whether I’m available, and whether the soaps want me. Emmerdale is fantastic, but my home is in London, not Leeds.
Eastenders would be great!
What could you see yourself doing in Walford? Running the Queen Vic?
I’d like to say, “You’re barred!” or “Get out of my pub”! I’ll say that sentence, even if it’s just to myself!