RHONA’S ROOTS!
“I thought it was hilarious when we found out that Cain is actually Rhona’s secret crush! There was another scene after Pierce had gone [the first time], where Rhona got a bit drunk and tried it on with Cain in the Woolpack. That was horrendous to film, as I was so nervous about having to work with Jeff!”
“I’d love to see Rhona’s mum, who lives in Kent and we hear about all the time, come to the Dales. I had my eye on Judith Barker to play her, but then she was cast as Lydia’s mother, dammit! Jeff and I have since been wondering about Susan George – we think she’d be great!”
interests, so I really couldn’t pick a favourite. I’ve been very lucky!
Recently, Rhona teamed up with Nate for work. So has she forgotten about their snog during Emmerdale’s Big Night Out last year?
Yeah, we don’t need reminding of that one! Honestly, what was she thinking while she was still with Pete?! It was quite out of character for Rhona, but I had to go with it on the basis that she was going through the menopause and wasn’t herself. Nate is ridiculously tall, and I think I’m the second-shortest cast member after Fiona Wade [Priya], so it was pretty difficult filming that scene. I think I might have even had to stand on a crate – and not for the first time!
Is there anything else about Rhona that frustrates you?
Oh, my God, she is an appalling dresser. I secretly love that she probably earns a very good wage being a vet, but chooses not to spend any of that money on a nice dress! If they kill Rhona off in 20 years’ time, I will take the entire wardrobe and have a bonfire in the ITV car park, as it’s all highly flammable, cheap rubbish. Everything else I would miss greatly, but not Rhona’s outfits. Awful!
That’s funny! Are there any traits that the two of you share, though?
I think we’re both a little bit mouthy and opinionated. She’s probably nosier than I am, although my kids would disagree, because I’m obsessed with people’s houses. I just love interior design – myself and Lucy Pargeter [who plays Chas Dingle] share that one. I like a laugh, too, and I imagine Rhona is great fun on a night out!
Do you and Jeff ever talk about work when you’re at home?
Yeah, Jeff and I both feel the same in that we’ve been trusted with a lot of big, important storylines and we feel incredibly lucky. It’s a unique experience to have been playing these characters for as long as we have, and we chat about that a lot. Neither of us takes it for granted, and we’re both grateful for the jobs we have.
Do you have a favourite Emmerdale storyline of Jeff’s?
I’m a big fan of Cain and Charity:
I think their wild and crazy relationship is brilliant, and Jeff works amazingly with Emma and Charley [Webb, aka Cain’s daughter, Debbie]. I loved him during my break from the show when he worked with Freya Copeland [who played Angie Reynolds], and I think him and Nat J Robb [aka Moira] are the dream team. I’m very proud of him!