Maxine’s mum Trish arrives
As Denise Welch joins Hollyoaks as Maxine’s mum Trish, she tells us that it’s shaping up to be a dream job for her…
When I was offered this job, the casting people told my agent that ‘it had Denise written all over it’!” chuckles actress Denise Welch, who joins Hollyoaks this week as Maxine’s estranged mum, Trish. “And if anything’s going to lure you in, that is! All of my ‘Oh, I don’t want to do a soap again because it means I’ll have to get up too early’ went out of the window as soon as I heard that. And when I started talking to the producers about the character, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.”
Of course, this isn’t Denise’s first soap rodeo – she played Natalie Horrocks in Corrie from 1997 to 2000, as well as starring in the first five series of Waterloo Road, and making an appearance in EastEnders in 2016. But while the prospect of going back to a soap full-time was daunting for the 62-year-old star, she’s definitely not regretting her decision…
Hi, Denise! So what can you tell us about your character Trish?
On the surface Trish is quite camp – which appeals to the gay man in me! She’s a dance teacher, and dresses like Olivia Newton John in the Physical video – she loves a coloured headband and an orange legwarmer! Trish is more stylish than me, though, she does know how to dress. Well, she must do, as she has a 44-year-old boyfriend, which is a big tick…
What do you think about Trish’s boyfriend, Brad?
When show bosses told me that I was going to have an on-screen boyfriend, in my mind I had some old grandpa figure – I don’t know why, as I’m married to a gorgeous younger man in real life. But then I met Tom Benedict Knight, who plays Brad, and he is very easy on the eye, a lovely guy, and a fantastic actor. I’ve secretly been showing pictures of him to my friends, and their eyes pop out of their heads! What I love about Hollyoaks, though, is that they’re writing my character with a younger lover, without the emphasis being on the age.
Can you fill us in on Trish’s relationship with Maxine?
It’s quite fractious, although Maxine is ultimately pleased to see Trish. I think all little girls want their mum, no matter how strained the relationship has been. So she is glad that Trish – who insists on being called Trish and not mum – is back in her life. But while there is a very camp, funny element to the storyline, it will become much darker…
Ooh, tell us more…
Well, Brad and Trish are clearly quite narcissistic. We all know that Hollyoaks excels with issue-led storylines, and where this one is going is what drew me in. Maxine was always trying to please her mum when she was younger, yet Trish put her at the back of the class, and that’s a metaphor for their relationship.
There’s a lot of passive-aggressive behaviour running through it. But also a lot of fun. So as an actor, it’s amazing!
Maxine has just been snogging Brad when Trish arrives…
Yes, Maxine doesn’t know that Brad is with her mother! And Trish isn’t fully aware of what’s gone on between them. Yet Trish is completely blinded by Brad, so he could do something in front of her eyes, and Trish would choose to blame Maxine for it. She knows that Brad is a player – however, she’s the person that would always blame the other women.
What do you think Hollyoaks viewers will make of Trish?
I’m nervous about how people are going to take to her – you always are – because Hollyoaks has such a huge fanbase. Although Trish is so multi-faceted and layered, and I’m really excited to see where this goes. I just hope that the audience loves her as much as I do.
It’s been over 20 years since you were in Corrie, but do people still talk to you about it?
Yes! No matter what else I go on to do, I’ll always be referred to as ‘former Corrie actress Denise Welch!’ And my character has just come into the Classic Corrie episodes (see p37), which has been great to watch. Being back on a soap and having 5am starts has been a shock to the system, but at least I’ve done it before. And when you get out of bed that early with a spring in your step, you know you’ve made the right decision!