“Leaving Doctors was a scary decision!”
AS AYESHA SAYS GOODBYE, LAURA ROLLINS LOOKS BACK ON HER ALTER EGO’S GOOD TIMES…
Ayesha has found herself in some ludicrous situations from day dot,” laughs star Laura Rollins, who plays her, as she recalls the life and times of The Mill’s much-loved practice nurse. “On my first day of filming, she woke up in a skip after a raucous night out, and I don’t think I’ve stopped laughing about that day!”
This week, however, there will likely be tears rather than laughter, as Ayesha stuns her colleagues with the shock announcement that she’s leaving. And after six years of playing her, Laura admits that she endured an emotional time, too.
“I was in every scene of the day on my last day of filming, so didn’t have time to think about leaving initially,” she shares. “But we filmed what will be Ayesha’s final scene in the story right at the end of the day, so that was particularly sad, as I knew at that point I was really saying goodbye to ’Eesh.
“I had a few leaving events, although I was most overwhelmed by the lunchtime party my colleagues threw for me. There were speeches, presents, lots of cake – and then even more tears!”
It’s a slightly different story for Ayesha, after her leaving do is ‘secretly’ organised by Valerie at the last minute, and proceeds to prove a rather more awkward event…
“Valerie’s party isn’t that much of a surprise as Valerie can’t keep a secret!” chuckles Laura. “It ends up being quite a low-key affair, and I think there’s a bit of guilt on Ayesha’s part, surrounding her decision to leave. She’s been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that leaves her with a huge dilemma. But ultimately, she has to follow her heart in order to pursue an exciting new future.”
Ayesha’s sudden exit also sparks a conversation with Bear, with whom she’s been embroiled in an on-off romance, as well as a typically feisty showdown with boss Zara. Yet just as Laura reckons her ambitious alter ego has made the right decision, the actress is also looking forward to what her own future has in store.
“Leaving Doctors was a scary decision to make,” she admits. “I absolutely love Ayesha, and I’ve met some really wonderful people and learned so much along the way. But now I want to bring more roles to life, so I’m looking forward to doing stage and film work, as well as more TV.”
Just before hanging up Ayesha’s nurse’s uniform for the final time, though,
Laura did manage to nab herself a couple of souvenirs from the set…
“I kept Ayesha’s nurse’s badge and two pairs of surgical gloves from the nurse’s station,” she reveals. “It was the week before lockdown, so I did think about taking a box of the gloves – however, I figured they’d be needed elsewhere. And Doctors did end up supplying medical equipment to the NHS – along with
Holby and Casualty – so it was the right decision!”
There were speeches, cake and tears at my leaving do!