Donohoe: 'Fans are on Natasha's side'

Emmerdale star Amanda Donohoe has claimed that viewers support her character Natasha Wylde.

Fans of the ITV1 soap are aware that Natasha's husband Mark (Maxwell Caulfield) is a bigamist who recently began seeing his first wife Faye Lamb (Kim Thomson) again. In next week's episodes, the businessman's secrets will be exposed at last.

Donohoe has now confirmed that she has experienced a positive response from the public since the storyline began earlier this year.

Speaking to the Daily Record, the 46-year-old actress explained: "I've made a point of never playing Natasha as an out-and-out bitch, an over-the-top baddie, so people will be concerned for her and won't just laugh at her misfortune.

"I've already had people saying: 'Watch out, your husband is up to no good', so I think the public are on my side. I may even get the odd hug, kiss and glance of sympathy when next week's bombshells hit the screen."

Asked if she can relate to her character's troubles, she revealed: "I've suffered this myself. You are told something, go about your life contentedly, and then discover that the reality of a situation is somewhat different to how it was presented. It's disappointing and undermining."

Donohoe announced that she had signed up for Emmerdale in September 2008. She appeared on screen for the first time in January.