Dales star's husband backs love plots

Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson has revealed that her husband James is embracing her character's "wild" nature and on-screen romance storylines.

The actress's alter ego Alicia Gallagher has flirted with a number of the village's residents since her arrival last summer and her latest love interest is farmer Andy Sugden, played by Kelvin Fletcher.

Speaking to The Mirror about her partner's support, Anderson explained: "Alicia has always been pretty wild so James takes it all in his stride. He doesn't mind at all. One of my first big scenes when I joined the show was a kissing one and James watched it before me.

"I was worried about how it would look but he said it was good. He watches everything he can - even the kissing."

Discussing the Alicia and Andy relationship, she added: "I get very nervous. There's been lots of snogging, which means a lot of teeth brushing and chewing gum. But [Kelvin's] very gentlemanly and makes me laugh constantly."

Alicia returns to the forefront of Emmerdale in next week's episodes when she steals from her sister Leyla's shop as her financial problems start to spiral out of control.

> Click here to read our interview with Natalie about Alicia's theft storyline