Emma Rigby on Hannah, 'Later' and leaving 'Oaks

Hollyoaks star Emma Rigby jumped at the chance of appearing in this year's edition of Hollyoaks Later and I, for one, am extremely pleased she did.

When I first heard about her character Hannah's story, I wasn't convinced that it would work, but having seen the episodes I can confidently say that it does. It's a drug-riddled take on the concept of love at first sight and her screen lover Jamie (Finn Jones) puts in a sterling performance. The pair work so well on screen. Better than Hannah and Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson), anyway.

I still have NO idea why the storyliners thought it was a good idea to marry them off.

Rumour has it that Jamie's been asked to appear in the main show, presumably to tie in with Hannah's exit. If that happens, I'll be a happy soap-watcher. More on that when I get the official word.

I recently gave Emma Rigby a call to chat about her out-there storyline and the fruits of which can be found by having a gander at this page. We chatted on for so long, though, that I couldn't cram everything into the main interview, so here's what is effectively the second half of our chat.

Is Imogen the kind of girl that Hannah wants to be?
"Definitely. She'd love to be like her - to have no inhibitions and to be so free, sexy and appealing and just so at one with herself. Hannah would love to be able to do that and relax like she can but later on in the storyline, she realises that Imogen isn't a real person and it's not who she is but the drugs she takes and the circumstances she finds herself in. Imogen tells Hannah that she's not had a troubled childhood or anything like that, it's just happened and she just chooses to be like it. Really it's because she's a drug addict and she can't do anything about it."

Do you think there's a moral message to the story?
"Yeah, there is and it's almost like an awakening for Hannah. At the start, it's a chance to grow up and to explore new things. She realises that yes, it's fun, but it also comes with danger and it's not a way of life that she wants to be a part of. It's actually very sad that these people live like this and she's very lucky to have a stable family in Hollyoaks village. She realises that and then tries to take herself back."

Did you go to any festivals yourself this year?
"No I didn't - I think loads of people from work went to Leeds this weekend but I didn't. I've never actually been to a festival. I'm a festival virgin! One day I'll have to do it - maybe a day pass to one?"

Why do you think Hannah's got herself into a bit of a rut recently?
"I think with suffering with her eating disorder and then recovering, she didn't really grow up and have the chance to go out like Sarah and Nancy and her other friends. They've matured and Hannah's come to a standstill. She was still living at home until she moved in with Nancy, then when she was at Nancy's. She didn't really fit in because she wasn't cool like Zoe - she didn't really want to go out and watch bands and stuff.

"In trying to fit in and impress people, she went out and got drunk and ended up marrying Darren. So she finds herself married to someone she, never in a million years, would have gone out with willingly, not even under the influence. She's decided to stay married to him to annoy her parents, though. Maybe she's doing it for attention or as a cry for help. It's definitely attention-seeking and to shock people - doing things they would never have expected her to do. This chance to go to a music festival is something Hannah's never done."

You're leaving Hollyoaks at the end of the year - any clues about how you leave yet?
"No - I'm supposed to have a meeting this week to find out my leaving storyline. It's going to be quite exciting, I'm not sure what's in store for me. I arrive back into the village after a late night episode and it's almost as if it's never happened. The late episodes are completely separate - well, not separate but never mentioned. I think there's one line where someone says, 'How was the week?' and I just go, 'Wrong time, wrong place, wrong everything.' Enough said!"

What does life hold for you after Hollyoaks?
"Well, I don't know as yet. I've not had any auditions as yet but I'd love to do something in the West End. That's what I'd like to do. Also some drama, some film - just get as much experience as possible. I've been doing the show for four years, since I was 15, and [it] has effectively been my training. I feel like the time's right to leave and I'm really excited, although I will be sad to go. I'll miss everybody. I'm looking forward to the New Year, though - new year, new start."

Hollyoaks Later begins tonight at 9pm on E4.

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Additional reporting by Philippa Warr