“Kids are talking in the classroom because of our show!”

You know you’ve really made it in a soap when you get a special, stand-alone episode dedicated to your character – and star Richard Linnell has followed up Alfie’s mental health storyline with a Best Actor nod…

Hi Richard! How do you feel to be nominated for Best Actor?

I’m still in shock – it’s bizarre! I’m so grateful, but also dumbfounded. I’m massively proud to have got so far.

What was it like when the bosses told you that you’d be having your own special episode?

My first thought was, “Don’t screw it up”! It’s a huge responsibility.

The research team here is incredible, and I felt like I had more input into this than I do with my usual scripts. They wanted to make sure I was comfortable with everything in it.

How important is it for Hollyoaks to tackle mental health issues?

It’s so important – everyone is better when we talk about mental health. It’s not just the people who are suffering, but also the people around them who are helping them. It’s okay to talk about it, because it’s a fact of life, it’s happening. People get ill physically, and people get ill mentally.

How did you shoot the scenes when Alfie was hearing ‘Ralfie’?

If it was a scene with just me – so when Alfie was hearing the voice alone in his bedroom – the first assistant director would be reading the line off camera. But if there were scenes with more people in, I would often just react to it in my head to make sure the scene flowed naturally. Logistically, though, it was quite challenging to film!

You’re a part of two huge families. Do you feel more loyalty to the Nightingales?

I’d say so, yes. Alfie’s surname is Nightingale, after all. But I’m a weird linchpin between them and the Cunninghams – I think I’m related to 80 per cent of the village!

Why should our readers vote for Hollyoaks as the Best Soap?

This year, Hollyoaks has done an incredible job of fostering muchneeded conversations in the younger generation, which will create a much bigger change down the road. We’re inspiring conversations in classrooms – that’s the most rewarding thing for me.