'Emmerdale's Val should have lesbian affair, says Charlie Hardwick

Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick has revealed that she wants her character Val Pollard to have a lesbian affair.

The actress, who is currently taking a three-month break from the ITV1 soap, would like Val to do something crazy upon her return to the village.

Hardwick said to Inside Soap: "Wouldn't it be good if Val had a one-night stand with a woman? That'd definitely put the cat amongst the pigeons!

"And knowing Val, she'd tell Pollard it's not really cheating if it's with a woman! I think Val would go for anyone who flashed her the eye."

Speaking of Val potentially splitting from Eric Pollard, she added: "It may be good for the storyline, and more dramatic, but on a personal level I'd be gutted if they split! I love acting with Chris [Chittell], so I'd really hate to see someone else working with him. I'm territorial!

"I've seen Brenda sniffing round Pollard, so she'd better not try getting her claws into him while Val's away, or I'll be flaming furious!"

Hardwick is starring in the play The Awkward Squad during her break from Emmerdale.