Emmerdale's Amy Wyatt recently made a life-changing choice as she decided to put her newborn son Kyle up for adoption - leaving her foster mum Val crushed.
Amy's decision came in the climax to months of drama featuring the character, who found herself on a dark path last year after her one-night stand with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) left her expecting his baby.
20-year-old Chelsea Halfpenny's portrayal of Amy recently secured her a nomination in the 'Best Newcomer' category at the National Television Awards, which take place in London on January 25. Here, Chelsea chats to Digital Spy about the recognition and Amy's future.
How does it feel to be in the running for 'Best Newcomer' at the NTAs?
"I'm totally overwhelmed! It still hasn't sunk in. I was told a while ago, but I wasn't allowed to say anything until the announcement was made, and it still doesn't feel real!"
What would it mean to you to win the award?
"To be honest, just to be nominated for the award means a lot. I haven't really thought about the winning part. It's a public vote, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. It would be amazing to win, but we'll see what happens on the night."
What are you most proud of from your time at Emmerdale so far?
"It's hard to pick out particular scenes, but it's really nice to have been given a great storyline. It's been a big, long-running storyline and a lot of effort goes into it - not just from me but from everyone else in the cast and behind-the-scenes in the crew."
You're up against Chris Fountain from Corrie and Jacqueline Jossa from EastEnders. What do you think of your competition?
"I've met Jacqueline before and she's so lovely, cool and down-to-earth - a really nice girl. I've watched her on EastEnders too and I think she's amazing. And obviously Chris has a lot of experience as he's done Hollyoaks and he's a good-looking lad who's popular with all the girls! They're two amazing candidates, so I think I'd be lucky if I won."
Have you had much support from your Emmerdale co-stars over the nomination?
"Everyone has been really lovely. They've been saying some lovely things, they're being really supportive and they've been getting on Twitter saying, 'Vote for Chelsea and Danny Miller' - because obviously Danny is up for an award as well.
"The cast are always really supportive, because I think a lot of people feel that Emmerdale doesn't always get enough recognition. So any time we are nominated for something, everybody really roots for each other because we all know how hard we work. It'd be nice to get some recognition every now and again."
Do you think Emmerdale is in with a chance for the 'Best Serial Drama' prize this year?
"I'd like to think so! Ratings-wise, there's been a couple of nights where we've beat Coronation Street and EastEnders recently. But we'll just have to see. Being nominated is recognition in itself as the show will get named on the night, and the individual nominees will too. We all know how much we enjoy working here, so awards aren't everything - but obviously it would be nice to get one."
Are you supporting Danny for the 'Serial Drama Performance' prize too?
"Definitely - I think Danny is a great example to young lads who want to go out and act. He's only just turned 21, but he's done so well and he's been recognised by so many people. Danny just came in, he worked hard and he was given a good storyline - and he did it amazingly. It just shows that you don't have to know anybody in the industry, you just have to work hard and show what you can do."
On Christmas Day, we all saw Amy make the decision to give Kyle away. What kind of a reaction did you get over that?
"I had lots of messages from people who were saying they were crying their eyes out when they were watching it! I just thought, 'Oh God, I hope I didn't make their Christmas too depressing!' But everyone's been really nice.
"A few weeks ago, my mum was speaking to a social worker who she knows, and she was saying that the way I've portrayed Amy, as a foster child who's been going in and out of homes, was very realistic. So that's really nice, as I'm always wanting it to seem realistic and how a real-life foster child would act."
What's your take on the problems that Amy is having with Val at the moment?
"Well, I think all Amy ever wanted was to keep the family unit together - because she's never really been part of a family, and this is the most comfortable that she's ever felt. That's why she didn't tell Val about the baby in the first place, as she was worried that it would cause destruction in the family. But in a way it's made things worse, because when Val did find out and met the baby for the first time, she then discovered that Amy wanted to give Kyle away. That's left Val heartbroken."
Amy moves out of the barn soon and in with David…
"Yeah - she really wants to give Val and Eric some space to sort out their problems, without her being involved. Also, Amy is always seeing them arguing lately and she doesn't want to see it anymore. She hopes that the time away will help Val and Eric to realise that they really want to keep this family together. But it may not help like she's hoping."
We know that Val will be taking some time out from the village soon as Charlie Hardwick has a theatre role. Could the time apart do Amy and Val some good?
"Yeah, perhaps it could make them realise how alike they are - and that they can only ever be a family if they support each other. Maybe Val could realise that the way she acted was quite irrational, because Amy is still quite young."
Do you think everything Amy has been through recently will affect her for a long time to come?
"Yeah, Amy will always be told if and when the authorities have found a new family for Kyle, and he'll always be in the back of her mind. She'll be thinking about how she almost took on the responsibility of bringing Kyle up, and she'll wonder what would have happened if she'd gone through with it. It's not just a case of 'once he's gone, he's gone'. He'll always stay with her, I think."
Are there any more scenes coming up between Amy and the Dingles, or will she try to stay out of their way?
"I think you'll see Amy really trying to make things up with Zak. She's worked with him, and they have a nice father-daughter kind of relationship. They're mates as well - she told him a lot of things, a lot more than she would have told Val or Eric. I think it'll be nice to see those two trying to settle their friendship again."
What did you make of the big twist that Zak was Cain's attacker?
"Well, when we went to watch the Judgement Day episodes at the preview screening for the press, nobody thought it was Zak - which was hilarious! I think it's because he wasn't really involved in those two episodes, so nobody thought it was him. It was definitely a big shock for the viewers, because what father would do that to their own son? But obviously Zak had his reasons."
What do you think Matthew Wolfenden's (David) chances are on Dancing On Ice this year?
"I know that he's got a dance and gymnastics background, so I'm guessing he's going to be quite strong. I think he's the kind of person who wouldn't get involved in anything unless he was going to work hard. He's definitely not a joke candidate - he's in there to work hard and get far in the competition. I'm totally rooting for him."
Where would you like Amy to go next?
"I'd quite like her to go back to her old ways a bit. Not too soon, because we've got to make it realistic, but she is young and she's not an adult yet. I think that's part of the reason that she gave Kyle away, because she still wanted to be a child and enjoy her time being young. It'd be nice to see her going out a bit more and making some new friendships.
"Further on down the line, maybe some family could be introduced or a new relationship could develop. I'm excited to see how Amy's story unravels!"
Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe