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tammyy2j
28-08-2012, 11:55
Do you think she might come back?

I love to see her back

tammyy2j
29-08-2012, 11:03
This is meant for the Emmerdale Rumour Mill thread could a mod please move

alan45
09-09-2012, 10:20
Do you think she might come back?

I love to see her back

Looks like you will get your wish

SEXY Emmerdale favourite Bernice Blackstock is *making a dramatic comeback after more than eight years away from the village.

Samantha Giles, who plays the former vicar’s wife, will be back filming the hit ITV1 soap next month.

Her sensational return will come after the soap’s 40th anniversary next month, which will include an hour-long live episode and the shock death of one popular villager.

Show chiefs are keeping tight-lipped about the identity of the character but the death will have *repercussions for months to come.

And, as everyone is *getting to grips with what has happened, Bernice will return and really “stir things up.”

Excited Samantha, 41, said: “It’s so *lovely to be asked back to Emmerdale.

“The show is on top form and I’m really looking forward to being part of the team again.”

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sunday about the move, series producer Stuart Blackburn said: “Bernice *Blackstock has always been one of *Emmerdale’s most popular characters. Linked to Nicola, Ashley, Diane, Rodney and her daughter Gabby, she remains right at the heart of the show.

“With the recent separation of Ashley and Laurel and problems ahead for Diane, the time is right for Bernice to come back and really stir things up”.

Bernice arrived in Emmerdale back in 1998 and fell in love with the village’s then vicar Ashley Thomas.

They tied the knot but randy Bernice was caught having an affair with chef Carlos Diaz, inset, who was engaged to her half-sister.

She departed in 2002 following the birth of daughter Gabby, *leaving Ashley to raise the child alone. Bernice made a brief return in 2004 for the funeral of Tricia Dingle when it was revealed she had another daughter.

The show celebrates 40 years on * October 16 with a packed week including Chas Dingle getting set to wed Dan *Spencer.

Declan Macey will take Katie Sugden down the aisle and Gennie Walker and Debbie Dingle will give birth.

alan45
09-09-2012, 10:20
......

tammyy2j
09-09-2012, 20:02
She could be back for the dead character maybe Rodney or Diane or Gabby I hope it isnt any of these three

TheBillFan
10-09-2012, 10:21
I think the death maybe be Ashley.. By 'stirring things up' they might mean when Ashley dies the authorities would try to track down Gabbie's mum, which means Bernice returning, which means she will stir things up with Laurel.. Just a thought

alan45
10-09-2012, 10:28
Surely though Laurel adopted Gabby to make the whole thing official. I couldnt see the SS forcing Gabby to go back to Bernice who has been absent all these years.

Ruffed_lemur
10-09-2012, 16:36
Did Laurel adopt Gabby? I don't remember that.

tammyy2j
10-09-2012, 16:41
Did Laurel and Bernice ever meet?

I think Diane said Bernice now has a son and is separated maybe she comes back and unites with Ashley

tammyy2j
10-09-2012, 16:41
Always liked the character of Bernice

alan45
10-09-2012, 17:38
Did Laurel adopt Gabby? I don't remember that.

I dont know. I thought they went through some legal procedure. I may be wrong

alan45
10-09-2012, 17:38
Did Laurel adopt Gabby? I don't remember that.

I dont know. I thought they went through some legal procedure. I may be wrong

sarah c
10-09-2012, 17:43
Always liked the character of Bernice

Or comes back because Ashley dies? I dont remember Laurel adopting Gabby officially, so maybe Bernice comes back to be maternal?

lizann
10-09-2012, 21:06
Back behind the bar and Diane can get rid of Priya

lizann
10-09-2012, 21:06
She'd be a great match for Declan

We need Kim Tate and Tina Dingle back now as well

Perdita
26-09-2012, 16:12
Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has predicted that there will be "fireworks" when Bernice Blackstock returns to the village in November.

Samantha Giles recently announced that she is reprising the role of Bernice, the ex-wife of Ashley Thomas and biological mum of Gabby.

Although Bellamy's character Laurel recently separated from Ashley, she still may not be pleased to see Bernice as show bosses have tipped the returnee to "really stir things up".

Bellamy told Inside Soap: "Laurel will be jealous in the sense that Gabby will think Bernice is fantastic.

"Laurel has suddenly become the monster in Gabby's life, so how she copes with Bernice's return is the million dollar question. I'm sure there will be fireworks, put it that way!"

Next week's Emmerdale episodes see Gabby decide to live with Ashley, leaving Laurel devastated.

Despite the setback, however, Bellamy has tipped Laurel for a brighter future with new partner Marlon.

She commented: "It can only get better for them, as surely it can't get any worse. The only advice I can give Laurel is to follow her heart. She and Marlon are in domestic hell, which isn't very romantic. But they have amazing chemistry, and that's the only thing working for them at the moment."

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1.

tammyy2j
26-09-2012, 16:45
It can only get better for them, as surely it can't get any worse. The only advice I can give Laurel is to follow her heart. She and Marlon are in domestic hell, which isn't very romantic. But they have amazing chemistry, and that's the only thing working for them at the moment."

What chemistry?

sarah c
26-09-2012, 17:43
What chemistry?

in that they get to snog on screen a lot!!

LizzyBizzy
26-09-2012, 21:34
What chemistry?

Laurel and Marlon are top of my most boring soap couples list.

LizzyBizzy
26-09-2012, 21:34
What chemistry?

Laurel and Marlon are top of my most boring soap couples list.

lizann
27-09-2012, 10:29
What chemistry?

Exactly there is none

Perdita
16-10-2012, 11:56
Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has tipped her character Bernice Blackstock to cause "havoc" upon her return to the village.

The actress recently reprised the role of Bernice and will appear back on screen from mid-November.

Speaking on Daybreak this morning (October 16), Giles confirmed that Bernice is hoping to get to know her daughter Gabby when she arrives back.

Giles commented: "I think [she's back] to cause a bit of havoc and re-bond with Gabby. It's a good time for her to come back, because there's been so much going on with Ashley.

"It's great for me - it's great to be asked back. I've just had a new baby. I take her with me, she's only 11 weeks! She's very good and she's very placid, so it's working out well so far."

Discussing Bernice's traits, the 41-year-old continued: "She is very selfish. I don't think she necessarily means to always be that selfish - I think she's been brought up as an only child and sometimes that can make people a bit selfish, can't it?

"But she's got a very kind heart as well. She just puts her foot in it, and she comes back and she puts her foot in it left, right and centre!"

With Emmerdale's cast and crew busy preparing for Wednesday's (October 17) hour-long live episode, Giles praised her colleagues for taking on the challenge.

She explained: "I think they're all very brave. I'm relieved that I'm not part of the live episode! There's so many big things happening - it's going to be very exciting. I can feel there's been a big buzz going on building up to it."

Emmerdale Live airs tomorrow from 7pm on ITV1.

tammyy2j
16-10-2012, 12:14
So maybe she isnt back for any funerals

Perdita
07-11-2012, 14:15
Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has predicted that her character Bernice Blackstock will not get a warm welcome when she returns to the village.

Bernice, who has links to a number of the local residents including ex-husband Ashley Thomas (John Middleton), returns to screens on Tuesday, November 20 as she arrives at The Woolpack unexpectedly.

Speaking to Soaplife, Giles tipped Bernice to ruffle feathers as she aims to spend more time with her daughter Gabby, who is already struggling with Ashley's split from Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy).

Giles explained: "Bernice thinks she'll just show up and everything will be fine with Gabby. She hasn't thought about the hard time Gabby's had recently, the breakdown of Ashley and Laurel's relationship and the stuff with Marlon. It must be very confusing for Gabby."

She continued: "Obviously Bernice has stayed in touch with Ashley over the years when they've done the exchanges with Gabby. But I think Bernice still finds him to be a bit pious. She tends to treat him as a bit of a joke, which irritates him."

The actress said that Laurel may also find it difficult to see Bernice spending time with Gabby.

Giles commented: "Bernice isn't being intentionally horrible or meaning to step on anyone's toes, but it just hasn't occurred to her that this is a serious issue for Laurel. She's always been rather patronising and dismissive towards Laurel because she sees her as this cleaner, which is what Laurel did when Bernice first met her."

When Bernice arrives back, she makes it clear that her marriage is in serious trouble - and as show bosses have recently cast her new lover Steve Harland, it appears that she may have been having an affair.

Giles teased: "She always used to leave a trail of disaster behind her and she hasn't changed one bit. Bernice is just as bad as she always was."

Cheetah
30-12-2012, 11:28
I wasn't a viewer of Emmerdale when she was in it but I find her character most objectionable - her prissy voice, her attitude to her children - dump them when a bloke comes along. her assumption that she is the only one in the world who has any value - not a very nice addition - could put me off viewing.

tammyy2j
12-09-2013, 15:37
Her return has been a disaster imo and she used be a great character

What now for her? She is living still with Ashley a reunion for them or a new fella for her maybe revenge on Nicola she goes after Jimmy

tammyy2j
12-09-2013, 15:37
.

walsh2509
13-09-2013, 04:55
She''s totally wooden and then when her boyfriend was leaving, if he just asked me - she was ready to go with him / take him back ... Cameron I have a job for you ..

alan45
08-10-2013, 00:17
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will be one of the twelve characters who is taken hostage by killer Cameron Murray in next week's dramatic episodes.

Here, Samantha Giles - who plays Bernice - delves into the trouble ahead from her character's point of view in a quick chat.

How does Bernice feel to be caught up in the hostage situation?
"She is very scared to be taken hostage. It sort of bonds her and her sister Nicola, and it brings them a bit closer together because people cling to their nearest and dearest in those sort of scary situations.

"But she is very frightened and very desperate like everyone else to get out. There are one or two occasions where she thinks she might be able to get out because she has been helping Cameron. I think the audience will go, 'Oh shut up, Bernice'."

The story kicks off when Chas locks down The Woolpack because Cameron is in the area. Is that the moment when people really start to get worried?
"I don't think they do get that worried then, I think it's just kind of the feeling that he is out there. Nobody actually thinks he's in the pub. It's only when the doors have been locked and he appears at the bar with the shotgun that we realise he is actually here and we've locked everything so we can't even do a runner!"

The weather is pretty horrific, which even leads to The Woolpack's cellar flooding. Does this add to the dark atmosphere?
"Yes it's very atmospheric with the rain. There are shots where you can see the window and the rain is absolutely pelting down. It makes it seem like a film and like we're in a disaster movie."


© ITV
Everyone waits for news of their loved ones.


What was the mood like on set when you were filming these scenes?
"It was scary on set. The director, Duncan [Foster], was just brilliant at getting everybody revved up and in the right mood, and obviously with Dominic playing Cameron, it was just very scary. It did have the sense of realism for us.

"With three days of filming the siege scenes, it did feel like we had been under siege. We were exhausted. But there was a very strong supportive atmosphere on set."

Were you excited when you saw the scripts?
"Yes of course, I'm sure it's going to be an absolutely great episode. Luckily I do not have too much to say really, but from an emotional point of view it's quite challenging because you don't want to let anybody down - other actors or the audience. You want it to come across as realistic as possible. I'm sure we have achieved that."

Last year was a pretty big year for Emmerdale with the 40th birthday. Do you think this October is going to be just as good?
"I do think it's going to be just as good, in a different way though. I think that it's a fantastic episode to mark the 41st year. I wasn't involved in the live episode so I had kind of a lucky escape in some ways, as it must have been quite scary! But I'm really pleased and excited to be involved in this show - I think it's absolutely at its best at the moment."

One of the hostages gets shot. Is Bernice the unlucky one who takes the bullet?
"If Bernice got shot, I think people would be quite pleased! She's a bit of a pain and it would shut her up a bit. But we don't always get what we want in life, do we? So we'll just have to wait and see!"

alan45
08-10-2013, 00:17
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will be one of the twelve characters who is taken hostage by killer Cameron Murray in next week's dramatic episodes.

Here, Samantha Giles - who plays Bernice - delves into the trouble ahead from her character's point of view in a quick chat.

How does Bernice feel to be caught up in the hostage situation?
"She is very scared to be taken hostage. It sort of bonds her and her sister Nicola, and it brings them a bit closer together because people cling to their nearest and dearest in those sort of scary situations.

"But she is very frightened and very desperate like everyone else to get out. There are one or two occasions where she thinks she might be able to get out because she has been helping Cameron. I think the audience will go, 'Oh shut up, Bernice'."

The story kicks off when Chas locks down The Woolpack because Cameron is in the area. Is that the moment when people really start to get worried?
"I don't think they do get that worried then, I think it's just kind of the feeling that he is out there. Nobody actually thinks he's in the pub. It's only when the doors have been locked and he appears at the bar with the shotgun that we realise he is actually here and we've locked everything so we can't even do a runner!"

The weather is pretty horrific, which even leads to The Woolpack's cellar flooding. Does this add to the dark atmosphere?
"Yes it's very atmospheric with the rain. There are shots where you can see the window and the rain is absolutely pelting down. It makes it seem like a film and like we're in a disaster movie."


© ITV
Everyone waits for news of their loved ones.


What was the mood like on set when you were filming these scenes?
"It was scary on set. The director, Duncan [Foster], was just brilliant at getting everybody revved up and in the right mood, and obviously with Dominic playing Cameron, it was just very scary. It did have the sense of realism for us.

"With three days of filming the siege scenes, it did feel like we had been under siege. We were exhausted. But there was a very strong supportive atmosphere on set."

Were you excited when you saw the scripts?
"Yes of course, I'm sure it's going to be an absolutely great episode. Luckily I do not have too much to say really, but from an emotional point of view it's quite challenging because you don't want to let anybody down - other actors or the audience. You want it to come across as realistic as possible. I'm sure we have achieved that."

Last year was a pretty big year for Emmerdale with the 40th birthday. Do you think this October is going to be just as good?
"I do think it's going to be just as good, in a different way though. I think that it's a fantastic episode to mark the 41st year. I wasn't involved in the live episode so I had kind of a lucky escape in some ways, as it must have been quite scary! But I'm really pleased and excited to be involved in this show - I think it's absolutely at its best at the moment."

One of the hostages gets shot. Is Bernice the unlucky one who takes the bullet?
"If Bernice got shot, I think people would be quite pleased! She's a bit of a pain and it would shut her up a bit. But we don't always get what we want in life, do we? So we'll just have to wait and see!"

alan45
04-02-2014, 01:12
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock is left humiliated next week after an experiment with online dating goes badly wrong.

Bernice is delighted when she makes contact with a potential love interest called Anton over the internet, but as she grows closer to the newcomer, she is blissfully unaware that she is falling for a con…

Here, Samantha Giles - who plays Bernice - previews her character's horror as she finds herself in an embarrassing predicament.

How does Bernice feel about getting back into dating?
"Bernice is quite keen - she's actually pretty desperate to meet somebody! She's also a bit nervous about it, because Nicola has tried to set her up with a few different things that haven't really worked. This is the last attempt to get Bernice back out there, so she's nervous about it but also quite excited."

What can you tell us about Anton, who Bernice meets on the internet?
"Nicola does the whole internet profile thing for Bernice, and then Anton is just someone who comes up and is interested in meeting with her. Bernice is quite shocked by how gorgeous his picture is. He seems to tick all the boxes and seems to be a really nice guy. Bernice is quite excited that he wants to take her out."

Does Bernice realise that Nicola wants her to meet a man so that she'll move out?
"No, she doesn't realise that Nicola and Jimmy have got an ulterior motive! She just thinks that Nicola is trying to make up for the fact that she's given her such terrible advice - especially telling her that James was interested in her when he clearly wasn't."

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© ITV
Bernice tries online dating

How does Bernice's first date with Anton go?
"It goes really well. She can't believe how lovely he is. He's a real gentleman and he seems very interested in her. He's also very keen to make arrangements to see her again."

When does Bernice finally realise that Anton is a crook?
"Bernice stupidly brings Anton to her house when she doesn't really know him, and it's only their second or third date. She doesn't realise that she's in any danger until she's left in a compromising position and Anton doesn't come back. He just disappears."

What happens?
"Bernice is in a terrible panic. She's been handcuffed to the bed, so she can't physically get out of the room. She doesn't know where Anton has gone, so as time goes on, she worries quite a lot. Bernice is then quite relieved when she hears Jimmy and Nicola come back."

How does Bernice feel when Jimmy and Nicola find her in that position?
"She's mortified. She hears them come in and calls for help, but then she has that moment of waiting for them to come into the room and it's really humiliating."

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© ITV
Nicola and Jimmy find an embarrassed Bernice

Then Bernice realises that Anton has burgled the house…
"Yes, she had no idea. She's a bit dozy really! Bernice just thought that he'd gone, but she didn't realise for a minute that it was all a plan to burgle the place. Bernice is totally shocked, she feels totally used and she is completely humiliated."

How do Nicola and Jimmy react?
"They are furious! They're furious because Bernice has gone into their bedroom rather than her own room, as she was pretending it was hers. They also can't believe she'd be so stupid to put herself in this sort of situation with a man she doesn't know. He could have done anything, so she's quite lucky that the burglary is all that's happened."

Could this be the last straw when it comes to Bernice living there?
"It could have been, but Bernice insists on calling the police no matter how stupid she looks. She is determined that she's going to rectify the situation somehow. She knows that she's got nowhere else to go if they chuck her out."

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© ITV
Jimmy, Nicola and Bernice

What do the police make of the crime?
"The policeman just thinks it's all quite funny, really. That makes Bernice feel terrible. The police don't really want to know, because they can't really do anything. He just says, 'Well if you go internet dating, here are a few tips for safety'. The police aren't prepared to do anything because there'd be too much detective work involved and there are bigger crimes to solve. They're also told that they can't claim on the insurance."

What dating advice would you give to Bernice?
"I would just say to her that she's got to calm down and not be quite so desperate, because it's so obvious when you're desperate when you meet a guy."

Is there anyone in the village you think Bernice would be well-suited to?
"Funnily enough, Mark Charnock (Marlon) and I were talking about this as we've been working together for a few days. There's not very many people you can imagine Bernice with, because she's quite a strange character in some ways. We were saying that everybody is already paired up!

"If he was single, Mark thought Bernice would go quite well with Paddy. We also wondered what kind of couple Marlon and Bernice would have made if they'd both been single. But other than those two, I can't really think of who she'd work with!"

Perdita
30-04-2015, 10:52
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock is back to her feisty best next week as she clashes with Tracy Shankley after the scheming character becomes a live-in housekeeper at the King household.

In real life, Samantha Giles - who plays Bernice - has more serious matters on her mind as she has taken on the Live Below The Line charity challenge to raise money for Health Poverty Action. Participants in the project feed themselves on just £1 a day for five days to gain an insight into the hardships faced by those living in extreme poverty.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Samantha for a chat about Bernice's current storylines and her off-screen fundraising efforts.

Why do Bernice and Tracy end up fighting next week?
"Bernice is furious to have Tracy around. She just thinks that Tracy has an ulterior motive and is taking advantage of Jimmy. Bernice also wants to be the main female in the house while Nicola is away.

"Bernice is furious with Tracy anyway, because Tracy had a fling with Andy recently. Bernice thinks that Tracy took advantage of Andy when he was in a very vulnerable state after Katie's death, so she hasn't got off to a good start with her anyway. Then she sees Tracy wearing an identical cardigan to one that she has. Bernice goes absolutely mad and thinks that Tracy has nicked it, so they have a bit of a fight!"

Did you enjoy filming the fight with Amy Walsh, who plays Tracy?
"It was hilarious! We were laughing and then Nick Miles who plays Jimmy had to jump on top of us to separate us, so it was good fun. They always have Bernice fighting, don't they? She has so many fights!"
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Bernice and Tracy fight with each other
© ITV
Bernice and Tracy fight with each other

Is it strange not having your on-screen sister Nicola Wheeler on set at the moment while she's off on maternity leave?
"Yeah, we really miss her actually! What's nice is that she does come on Skype in one of the scenes next week. It's something that they recorded before Nicola went off on her maternity leave, but it's really nice to see her on screen again.

"I also visited Nicola last week and saw her in the flesh with the baby, so that was really nice. She'll be back at some point but we do miss her at the moment."

There have been lots of rumours about the big summer storyline coming up in Emmerdale. Do you know whether you'll be involved yet?
"I've no idea at the moment - it's all been kept hush-hush, actually. I think we're filming it mid-June, so I imagine we'll know fairly soon. We'll certainly know by the end of May. I assume that nothing awful is going to happen to Bernice, because I haven't been told anything!

"I know that it's going to be a big extravaganza and it'll be very exciting and thrilling to watch. I hope I am involved, because obviously it's terrible if something really exciting is going on and you're not part of it, but we'll have to see!"

There were rumours in the papers that the cast are nervous about being killed off in this mystery story! Was there any truth in that?
"I think with anything like this, people start to think, 'What are the implications?' You're bound to. But I'm sure that anyone who's coming to the end of a contract that isn't being renewed would know what's going on.

"I think sometimes the papers just like to rev things up to make it sound like there's such unrest on set, but actually there's always good communication. It's good not knowing the ins and outs of all the stories until you get the scripts, because it keeps you excited about what's going on."
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Bernice has lost her watch and thinks Tracy is to blame
© ITV
Bernice and Jimmy

We've seen a lot of comedy from Bernice in the past couple of years. Would you like to surprise people with a more serious storyline?
"Well I do love doing the comedy, and I think there have been some serious moments too, like at Christmas when Bernice lost the plot and turned up at Andy's wedding. Although that was funny, it was also quite sad that Bernice was in such a state. I think it's important to have the comedy because it makes the drama and the pathos much more hard-hitting when it does happen.

"I'd like to see some bigger storylines for Bernice, but I don't want to lose the comedy because I think that's what makes her unique and the programme needs it. I think Emmerdale has always been known for having some good comedy characters. Laura Norton who plays Kerry is great at comedy and I think her and Bernice work quite well together in their scenes together at the salon."

Emmerdale is on really good form at the moment, so are you hopeful about the Soap Awards coming up?
"Not really - I think the sad truth is that Emmerdale gets missed a lot at all the awards. It's such a shame, but it's just one of those things. I hope the show will do well, but it's difficult because it does get overlooked a lot. I think it's very peculiar that the show was overlooked for the BAFTA shortlist recently. It's really strange, but I don't know the ins and outs of it and how it's all done.

"I think really and truly all the awards are a bit of a nonsense. There are so many brilliant people that work in this business that never get any recognition, so what about those people? It doesn't mean that one person is better than another - it's really a popularity contest at the end of the day. With popularity contests, people don't always vote. We've got a lot of viewers who wouldn't think of picking up the phone or going online to vote."

Was it sad to say goodbye to Paula Tilbrook recently when she filmed her final scenes as Betty?
"It was so very sad. Unfortunately I wasn't working that week at all. It's a shame that Bernice wasn't there for her last scenes, because when I first came into the show, Bernice and Betty were very close. But I did see Paula just before she came back to film.

"It's a shame and a great loss, but Paula felt that it was the right time for her to go and I totally understand that. She deserves her retirement, but we will miss her because Paula herself is such an amazing character and a lovely person. She's kind, generous and she calls a spade a spade! She's part of the institution of Emmerdale and she's going to be greatly missed."
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Betty goes upstairs to check on Alan but comes back down visibly disturbed
© ITV
Emmerdale's Betty

What made you want to take part in Live Below The Line this year?
"I'm raising money for Health Poverty Action and they were the ones who approached me initially. I looked into what they do and they're quite a small charity which help people in need in some of the remote areas across Africa, Asia and Latin America. They look at a wide range of factors which cause their poverty, so they're looking at health, food and water issues.

"What's great is they're not just dealing with one thing or just handing over some food and water to people - they're actually looking at re-educating people, so it's really positive work they're doing. I just thought that it would be nice to support a small charity that needs a little bit more advertising."

How are you finding the challenge so far?
"It hasn't been too bad so far. I drink a lot of water anyway, but for these five days it's all I'll be drinking - I'm not allowed any tea or coffee or anything. That's quite difficult, because sometimes if you're a little bit hungry, tea or coffee can seem a little bit more filling than a glass of water.

"I think it just makes you realise how much we do have in terms of food choices. Most of the time we take it for granted that we can choose different things to eat, depending on what we fancy. When you're restricted, there's a lack of choice and a lack of flavour, because making things taste nice on such a low amount of money is quite difficult. I can't use much in the way of herbs and spices this week.

"One thing that's occurred to me this week is that food is such a big part of enjoyment in life in Western society. We see certain foods or going out for dinner as a treat, and we feel in the West that we have a 'right' to enjoy life. The reality is that a lot of people in these countries are just focusing on getting enough to survive, never mind enjoying life."

Has there been much support from fans and colleagues?
"I've had some great support. A couple of my Twitter followers have sponsored me, which is lovely. I don't like asking for money, because I do believe that charity begins at home. If people haven't got a lot of money, then they shouldn't be feeling bad about not giving it to charity - they should be looking after themselves.

"But if there are people out there who can spare a couple of pounds, it's great if they can do that. I've had a couple of sponsors from Twitter and a few people from work have sponsored me too. Any other sponsorship is gratefully received by the charity, but it's hard in this day and age asking for money."

Would you encourage others to take on the challenge themselves?
"Absolutely. You can sign up for it on the Live Below The Line website and choose any week between now and June to do it. It's only 5 days. Obviously I'd love it if people raised money for Health Poverty Action, but there are 30 charities on there to choose from which are linked to Live Below The Line. The website has also got so much information about menus, meal plans and what you can get with your money, so it does make it a bit easier!"

Perdita
08-05-2015, 04:30
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will invent a fictional boyfriend as she tries to get closer to Andy Sugden again.

Future episodes will see Bernice (Samantha Giles) become keen to support Andy following the death of his wife Katie, but she pretends to have a new man in order to prove that her intentions aren't romantic.

Bernice dated Andy for a while in 2014, but was later left heartbroken when he turned back to Katie.

In a video released on Emmerdale's Facebook page, series producer Kate Oates teased: "My heart goes out to poor Bernice. We saw her at Christmas crashing Andy and Katie's wedding and she loves him so much. Obviously he's in a pit of grief and he's not ready for a new relationship yet.

"So what she's going to try and do is befriend him. It's the next best thing and she just really misses him from her life. So to do that, Bernice is going to get herself into a bit of a pickle. She's going to make up a man so that Andy thinks that there's a boyfriend, as a sort of buffer zone!

"The problem with these kinds of lies is they have a habit of taking on a life of their own, so let's see how Bernice deals with that little conundrum!"

Katie died in February, sending Andy on a downward spiral as he struggled to cope with his grief.

Andy has slowly been trying to get his life back on track since then, although he has been featuring on screen less frequently recently.

Kelvin Fletcher, who plays Andy, told Digital Spy last month: "I was aware there'd be a quiet spell for him, which was a necessity, really. Being out of sight is the best thing for him at the moment. I've not really been in work for a couple of months, so I'll be very quiet on screen but it just gives that time for Andy and the audience to move on."

Perdita
08-05-2015, 04:31
I feel a little bad as I have not thought or missed Katie at all since she has gone :o

Telly Watcher
13-10-2015, 02:51
Bernice is in denial about her sexless relationship with Lawrence, says Emmerdale star Samantha Giles

Their marriage could be disastrous, reckons the actress

By David Brown
Tuesday 13 October 2015 at 12:01AM

It should be the perfect union - unlucky-in-love Bernice pairing up with successful businessman Lawrence. But the lack of any bedroom action could prove to be a big problem for the bride to be.

"There is no physical side to the relationship at the moment. So that does have the potential to be disastrous," says actress Samantha Giles. "Sex has always been very important to Bernice."

Yet despite that lack of intimacy, Bernice and Lawrence will press ahead with an engagement party in scenes to be shown next week. So why is she going ahead with the plans?

"Bernice has decided that, because she's not getting any younger, she should be with Mr Make Do rather than Mr Right. She's been let down so many times in the past, so she's convincing herself that she'll be happy with Lawrence.

"And Lawrence is very kind to her. He totally accepts her for who she is. He doesn't seem to find her irritating! And Bernice sees him as solid and reliable."

One extra obstacle though is the consternation of Bernice's mum Diane, who couldn't be less happy about the prospect of her family getting closer to the Whites.

"Yes, Diane sees Lawrence and Chrissie as the enemy," comments Giles. "In her eyes, Chrissie caused the helicopter crash that killed her sister Val. And she sees the Whites as doing everything they can to oust Robert from Home Farm. So, for her, the family is bad news."

So with the odds stacked against Bernice's upcoming marriage, does the actress believe that her character can make it work?

"Well, it would take adjustment on Bernice's part if she's going to forego a physical relationship. But it does have the potential for a lot of drama.

"People on Twitter seem to be enjoying the match. And I've had feedback from viewers who've said that they know of marriages where there is no sex. So it's an important story to address. And it's interesting that it's the man who isn't the physical one. We always assume that it's the woman with the lower sex drive."

Source:
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-13/bernice-is-in-denial-about-her-sexless-relationship-with-lawrence-says-emmerdale-star-samantha-giles

Perdita
13-10-2015, 11:49
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will make one last attempt to win Andy Sugden's heart next week.

Bernice will be left with some major decisions to make over her future after Lawrence White (John Bowe) is released from prison and wants to push ahead with their wedding plans.

While Bernice is tempted by the chance to settle down again, she is given food for thought when Kerry Wyatt teases her about going from hunky Andy to older man Lawrence.

Samantha Giles, who plays Bernice, explained: "Kerry refers to Lawrence as a 'gay old man'. Bernice hasn't really been addressing the fact that Lawrence might or might not be gay - she's in denial about that.

"Lawrence and Andy are so different, so the fact that Kerry brings it up just makes Bernice think, 'Oh my God - Lawrence might be lovely but he's not exactly a stud, whereas Andy ticks all the boxes'.

"Bernice then visits Andy because she wants to absolutely make sure that there is no chance at all of them ever being together. She tells him that she has put those feelings for him away in a drawer but wants to make sure there really isn't any chance of anything happening."

When Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) rejects Bernice once again, she goes full-steam ahead with her plans to marry Lawrence - shocking her family and ignoring her own private worries about the lack of sex in their relationship.

Giles added: "I think Bernice has really fallen in love with Lawrence, because he's so lovely to her and they get along really well. But she's slightly in denial about the physical side of things, really.

"There is no physical side to the relationship at the moment and it has a potential to be disastrous, because sex is very important to Bernice and it always has been. She's always gone for quite muscular guys - apart from Ashley!
http://i1.cdnds.net/15/42/618x393/soaps-emmerdale-week-43-ep-7325-01.jpg
Bernice is flustered when Lachlan jokes she is allowed to stay overnight
© ITV

"I think Bernice has just decided that she's not getting any younger. 'Mr Perfect' isn't out there, so she's going for 'Mr Make-Do' instead. She's convincing herself that she will be happy with Lawrence, but it will take some adjustment on her part if she's going to forego a physical relationship. That's got the potential for a lot of drama, which is exciting.

"Lots of people have said to me that it's quite common and they have friends who have a marriage where there's no physical relationship. So I think it's an important story to address and I think people will identify with it."


digitalspy

Telly Watcher
14-10-2015, 23:39
Emmerdale’s Bernice torn between two families

Bernice Thomas finds herself torn between two families on Emmerdale as she prepares to marry Lawrence White – but what about her allegiance to her own family, especially with regards to her stepbrother Robert Sugden?

Story by Jackie Bell

Unlucky in love Bernice did not expect to find herself in a relationship with Lawrence, as in the past she has always been attracted to the more “beefier” men. But when Lawrence is released from prison and they rekindle their engagement, Bernice will find herself in the middle of predicament regarding her family and the family she is about to marry into.

Actress Samantha Giles said she wasn’t really surprised her character was matched with Lawrence.

“He is very kind to her,” she said. “He totally accepts her for what she is, he finds her funny, and he doesn’t seem to find her irritating, which a lot of men do. Lawrence just seems to be very warm towards her and supportive.

“She’s always been a character that’s been quite interested in money, but funnily enough I don’t think it is his money that is the pulling point here. I think it’s all the other things and she’s been so badly let down by other men, that he is completely solid and reliable.”

However, with Robert still in hospital after being shot by a mystery assailant, relations between the White family and her own have become frayed and Bernice is in the middle of it all.

“(Mum) Diane (Sugden) just sees Lawrence and Chrissie (Sugden) as the enemy because of Robert," said Samantha. “Diane doesn’t know how manipulative Robert has been, all she knows is that he has made a big mistake by carrying on with (Aaron).

“But she sees the fact that they are doing everything they can to oust Robert out of the house and business.

“Also, she also sees Chrissie as responsible for the helicopter crash which killed her sister, Val. So she just thinks that family are bad news.”

The reality of her predicament hits Bernice during her engagement party at Home Farm.

Samantha explained: “They invite all their friends and family, but it all goes a bit wrong, as things usually do, there’s a bit of a showdown. Cain comes in and has a go at Chrissie and Lawrence, and Chrissie says lots of things about Robert which Diane is disgusted by.

“Bernice is in a very difficult position because she feels torn between the two families.”

On whether or not Samantha thinks the relationship will last, she said: “I think she has decided she isn’t getting any younger, Mr Perfect isn’t out there and she has Mr Make-do – which I think a lot of people do. But she is convincing herself that she will be happy with Lawrence.”

Source:
http://www.u.tv/Entertainment/2015/10/14/Emmerdales-Bernice-torn-between-two-families-46973

Telly Watcher
20-10-2015, 00:43
Emmerdale spoilers: Robert Sugden to manipulate Bernice Blackstock

By Sophie Dainty
Tuesday, Oct 20 2015, 00:01 BST

Emmerdale's Robert Sugden will manipulate Bernice Blackstock next week after he spots an opportunity to keep an eye on the White family.

Robert's interest is piqued when he learns that Bernice has moved into Home Farm following her decision to focus on her relationship with Lawrence.

Knowing this could be useful, Robert sends a message to Bernice asking her to visit him in hospital. Once she is there, Robert warns her that the Whites are a dangerous family and tells her to watch them closely.

Following Robert's warning, Bernice feels uneasy around Chrissie and ponders how she will raise her concerns about her to Lawrence.

When Chrissie overhears Bernice telling Lawrence that she visited Robert, she warns her not to let him manipulate her.

http://i1.cdnds.net/15/42/618x364/soaps-emmerdale-week-44-ep-7329-03.jpg
© ITV
Robert's interest is piqued when he hears Bernice has moved into Home Farm

Later, Bernice visits Robert once again and reveals that Chrissie is applying for a restraining order. However, when Bernice later confesses that that she told Robert this, Chrissie questions where loyalties lie.

Feeling guilty about how she spoke to Bernice, Chrissie later suggests that she has her wedding at Home Farm.

However, with Bernice continuing to feed back information to Robert, do her loyalties lie with him or Chrissie and Lawrence?

Source:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a674463/emmerdale-spoilers-robert-sugden-to-manipulate-bernice-blackstock.html

Telly Watcher
15-11-2015, 00:41
Samantha Giles signs a new contract with Emmerdale

EMMERDALE actress Samantha Giles has signed a new contract keeping her in the ITV soap for another year.

By Susan Hill, Daily Star
Published 15th November 2015

“I've been back three years now so being offered another contract is just lovely. I do really love playing [Bernice]. She's a great fun character to play”
Samantha Giles

Samantha, 44, returned to the village as loveable Bernice Blackstock in 2012 after nearly nine years away. She first appeared back in 1998 and is currently preparing to marry husband number four - gay businessman Lawrence White.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sunday, bubbly Samantha joked that a sexless relationship could prove difficult for her randy character - especially after she enjoys this steamy kiss with ex-lover Andy Sugden.

Gorgeous Samantha said: "I've been back three years now so being offered another contract is just lovely. I do really love playing her. She's a great fun character to play. I get to do the the comedy stuff but I also get plenty of drama when she makes a mess of it all. I imagine she probably irritates quite a few people - she even irritates me a bit at times!

"But I think she's quite a believable character and I've had some great stuff to get my teeth into over the last six months. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the Bernice and Lawrence storyline is going to go. If she's not having any kind of physical relationship with Lawrence then ultimately she's going to start looking somewhere else."

And that somewhere else is ex-lover Andy Sugden. Unlucky-in-love Bernice was left heartbroken when her relationship with Andy ended last year. She even made sure that there was no future for them before accepting Lawrence's marriage proposal. But as she prepares for her big day, Andy asks whether a sexless marriage is good enough for her.

The pair then kiss but have no idea that Lawrence's daughter Chrissie has spotted them.

Samantha added: "There's going to be lots of drama surrounding the wedding but I can't give too much away. It's definitely going to be a case of will they or won't they get married. It's a typical soap wedding - there's tears and plenty of drama. You'll all have to wait and see."

And as we wait to find out what happens to her character, Samantha, who lives in Liverpool with her husband Sean and their two young daughters, has just added to her family after adopting two cats.

She added: "We've always loved cats. Our last cat died in August and we thought we'd give it a bit of time before getting some more. We've just adopted a brother and sister who are two and three years old. I really would urge anyone thinking of getting a cat to get an adult cat.

"They're already trained so it's much easier to look after them. Once you've got them settled you can put a cat flap in and it's like them having their own front door key - they can come and go as they like. We've named them Bob and Maggie and they're already part of the family."

For more information about the charity and cats in need of homes readers can go to www.cats.org.uk

Source:
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/475721/Samantha-Giles-signs-new-contract-Emmerdale

Telly Watcher
15-11-2015, 04:38
dupl

Telly Watcher
15-11-2015, 05:18
Emmerdale spoilers: Bernice Blackstock cheats with Andy Sugden on the eve of her wedding

Duncan Lindsay for Metro.co.uk
Sunday 15 Nov 2015 12:01 am

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/23_11_emmerdale_05.jpg?w=620&h=413&crop=1
(Picture: ITV)

Bernice Blackstock is about to put her big wedding day in jeopardy when she ends up cheating on husband to be Lawrence wife with her ex Andy Sugden.

Bernice has been struggling with the lack of physical contact between her and her fiance, who has struggled due to ordeals he suffered while in prison.

Poor Bernice’s hormones are at fever bitch – she is certainly a lady with a libido! And the arrival of Andy as a butler in the buff certainly doesn’t help to cool her down.

Andy has been roped in to the awkward role and the pair eventually end up sharing a heart to heart at the end of the hen night.

With Bernice due to marry the next day, she confides her fears over whether entering into a sexless marriage is the right thing to do. Meanwhile, Andy opens up about his own recent ordeals and before long they end up kissing.

As one thing leads to another, Bernice indulges in some sins of the flesh with the rugged Andy – and wakes up the next morning full of regret.

But with Andy seemingly fallen for her again and intent on having Bernice for his own, is Bernice’s big day doomed?

And how will Lawrence react to her betrayal?

Read more at:
http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/15/emmerdale-spoilers-bernice-blackstock-cheats-with-andy-sugden-on-the-eve-of-her-wedding-5497779/

-------------------------------------------------------

I've realised now that the Emmerdale storyline for Bernice, Lawrence and Andy could be like that in Lady Chatterley's Lover, written by D.H. Lawrence and first published in 1928.

The story concerns a young married woman, Connie (Lady Constance Chatterley), whose upper class husband, Clifford Chatterley, described as a handsome, well-built man, has been paralysed from the waist down due to a Great War injury. Clifford becomes a successful writer, intellectual and businessman, and a nurse is hired to take care of him and to allow Connie to have time of her own.

Connie meets new gamekeeper Oliver Mellors, a rough working class type who previously ran away from his wife, joined the army and rose above his background to become a lieutenant based on his own merits and deeds as a soldier during World War I. However, his health failed after he caught pneumonia and so he left the army to live quietly on the Chatterley's estate after a string of previously failed love relationships.

Although Connie and Mellors meet on a number of occasions, nothing much happens between them as he reminds her of the class difference between them, which in the 1920's would cause a scandal if the two of them were publically found to be in a relationship. However, they meet again by chance and this time have sex in a forest hut and again on several other occasions until, finally, they have sex on the open ground in the forest where they both climax together. From then on, Connie is in love with Mellors.

Connie takes a holiday to Venice and, when she comes back, finds that Mellors' wife has returned, caused trouble over the Connie-Mellors relationship and got him sacked from his job as gamekeeper. He is waiting for the divorce to come through and Connie finds that she is pregnant with his baby. Her husband won't divorce her though. Mellors eventually gets a job as a farm labourer and he and Connie hope eventually to be able to marry once their divorces have come through.

Of course, Bernice and Lawrence in Emmerdale could have a very long and loving marriage, but then again this is Emmerdale and the home of Andy the farm labourer...

Read more at:
Lady Chatterley's Lover - Storyline summary, sparknotes.com
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/ladychatterley/summary.html

Telly Watcher
15-11-2015, 06:36
Bernice Marie Blackstock, character summary

Other names: Bernice Binns (1st married name), Bernice Thomas (2nd married name), Bernice Willis (3rd married name)
Born: 29th December 1968 (46yo)
Residence: Home Farm
Father: Rodney Blackstock
Mother: Diane Sugden (formerly Blackstock)
Siblings: Paul Lambert (half-brother), Nicola King (half-sister)
Spouses: Anthony Binns (divorced), Ashley Thomas (2000), Charlie Willis (until 2012)
Children: Gabby Thomas (2001), Diane Willis (2004)
First appearance: 25th November 1998
Occupations: Barmaid (1999-2002, 2012-2014), Pub Landlady (1999-2002), Businesswoman (1999-2002, 2014-), Beautician (2014-)
Acted by: Samantha Elizabeth Giles (1998-2002, 2004, 2012-, 44yo, DOB 02/07/71)

Bernice Marie Blackstock (previously Binns, Thomas, and Willis) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Samantha Giles. She made her first on screen appearance on 25 November 1998. In September 2012, it was announced Giles had reprised her role and Bernice returned on 20 November 2012, after nearly nine years away from Emmerdale.

For her portrayal of Bernice, Giles was nominated for "Most Popular Newcomer" at the 1999 National Television Awards. In 2000, she earned a nomination for "Best Actress". At the TV Quick Awards, Giles won "Best Soap Actress". She garnered nominations for "Best Actress", "Sexiest Female" and "Best On-screen Partnership" with John Middleton [Ashley] at the 2002 British Soap Awards.

Read storylines and more at:
http://emmerdale.wikia.com/wiki/Bernice_Blackstock
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernice_Thomas

Telly Watcher
17-11-2015, 01:15
Emmerdale lines up 'open marriage' twist as Lawrence fights for Bernice

Will Bernice marry Lawrence and sleep with other men?

By Daniel Kilkelly, Digital Spy
17 November 2015

Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will be left shellshocked next week when her fiance Lawrence White offers her an open marriage.

Bernice receives the unexpected proposal on the day of their wedding, just when it looks like the lavish ceremony is about to be called off.

Next week's Emmerdale episodes see Bernice sleep with her old flame Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher) after they cross paths on her hen night.

Lawrence's daughter Chrissie spots the pair together and reports back to her father, who still isn't prepared to give up on the idea of a happy life with Bernice.

Samantha Giles, who plays Bernice, explained: "Bernice is definitely still in love with Andy and she has to deal with those feelings.

"When she sees Andy on her hen night, she thinks he's offering her a way out of the situation and he's her knight in shining armour. Bernice thinks there's a chance of a future with Andy and she doesn't have to be trapped in a sexless marriage with Lawrence.

"The morning after they've slept together, it's with trepidation that Bernice asks Andy whether it means anything else can happen between them. He says no - it was great but he can't give her anything else.

"Bernice's heart is broken as she would have called the wedding off if she thought that Andy wanted to be with her. She thinks she's got to go and tell Lawrence and face the music, but she realises as soon as she gets to Home Farm that Chrissie has already beaten her to it."

While Bernice is expecting Lawrence to dump her, he actually gives her a free pass to sleep with other men if they go ahead with the wedding. He does so as he accepts that he can't give her the physical side of a relationship that she craves.

Giles continued: "Bernice is really shocked by what Lawrence says to her. If she was my friend, I'd say don't do it! In my opinion, an open marriage is not a marriage. What's the point in getting married? You might as well split up and see other people.

"But it's more common than we think and maybe it does work for some people. Lawrence and Bernice would be a good match if it wasn't for the physical situation. I think they're a really interesting partnership and it's interesting that there isn't a physical side, because it's something that hasn't really been done before and it's a great thing to explore."

The wedding episode will have two big hooks for fans, as Bernice has to make a final decision on whether she wants to marry Lawrence. Even if she does, there's another twist when Andy has a last-minute change of heart and braces himself to steal Bernice away again.

Pondering the possibilities, Giles concluded: "I hope Bernice doesn't get her happy ever after, because I think that's the point of a character like her. As soon as she's happy, all of the tension and the drama goes. I think it's more interesting that she can't quite grab what she's reaching for."

Emmerdale airs Bernice and Lawrence's wedding on Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm on ITV.

Source:
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a774244/emmerdale-lines-up-open-marriage-twist-as-lawrence-fights-for-bernice/

Telly Watcher
17-11-2015, 01:58
Emmerdale spoilers: Stars reveal Bernice Blackstock and Lawrence White wedding twists

Duncan Lindsay for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 17 Nov 2015 12:01 am

It’s a massive day for Lawrence White and Bernice Blackstock – but things aren’t set to go to plan. When does a soap wedding ever?

Waking up on the morning of her big day next to Andy – who she has had a passionate bunk up in the salon with – Bernice is crushed by what she has done and determines to break the news to Lawrence.

However, she is unaware that Chrissie has spotted them together and beaten her to it, leaving Lawrence crushed.

As the wedding teeters on the brink of collapsing, Lawrence offers Bernice a proposal as she admits that she can’t live in a sexless marriage – he suggests that they have an open marriage.

Meanwhile, Andy is contemplating heading to the wedding to win Bernice from Lawrence, determining to finally leave Katie behind.

With so many factors at play, drama is inevitable. Metro.co.uk caught up with John Bowe [Lawrence] and Samantha Giles [Bernice] recently to chat about what the big day holds for their characters.

So is Bernice genuinely really keen on Lawrence?

Sam: She is keen on him, she surprises herself because initially she wasn’t that interested in going out with him. He just makes her feel very looked after so she’s perhaps more into him that she would’ve been had she not have such a run of bad luck with men. They get on very well and she’s fallen in love with him, but obviously there’s nothing physical.

What’s going on there, because he had a wife and has two daughters?

John: the aversion therapy has left him traumatised. He finds physical intimacy really difficult because of what they did to him in prison. And so he finds physical intimacy very difficult. Obviously with his first wife they overcame this to a certain extent, and we’ve already heard that Bernice reminds him of his first wife.

He absolutely adores Bernice, she makes him happy – her idiosyncrasies, her faux pas amuse him and he loves her for them. At his age it’s his last chance and he sees someone that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. I think to varying degrees they both imagine that they can overcome this difficulty. After all, he has two daughters.

Does Bernice really fancy him?

Sam: I think because she loves him, she is physically attracted to him, yeah. She definitely wants them to have a physical relationship and I think she can’t understand why its not happening and she’s in denial about it.

John: What’s great about what the writers have done for Lawrence is that he is a romantic man. He demonstrates his romance and his love for Bernice but at the eleventh hour he finds it’s difficult to make the final commitment for physical intimacy because of his past. But that doesn’t mean that he isn’t romantic and he isn’t desirous of Bernice.

How does Bernice cope with that?

Sam: Well not very well really. She quite likes sex, doesn’t she?

John: So do I! This is a real stretch for me you know! It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as an actor!

Does it knock her self-esteem?

Sam: I think it does in the end. As we’re leading up to the wedding she keeps having little moments wondering if he’s going to kiss her, and she sees other people having physical contact and displays of affection and all she gets really from Lawrence is a hug or whatever. He might speak romantic words but she wants a little bit of action.

And she turns to Andy for that?

Sam: They end up having a chat, and he says to her are you really doing the right thing here? And of course, as you do, you end up having a snog and then they go off to the salon. And they wake up together the next day, but Chrissie sees them…

John: It’s harrowing stuff actually. The whole lead up to the wedding is a very taut wire that we walk on. I think it will be agonising for viewers who want us to get together to see how we deal with it. And Lawrence goes through all kinds of tortures to keep the wedding on, so much so that it’s heart-breaking.

Sam: She is actually going to tell him, as she’s sure he won’t want to marry her after finding out, but Chrissie has already told him.

But he is quite sympathetic isn’t he?

Sam: Yeah.

John: First of all he says he’ll take the rap. She says, I’ll go and tell the guests its off and he says ‘no, no I’ll tell them its something I’ve done’ because he doesn’t want her to be hurt by the whole thing. But then, he offers her an open marriage.

What do you both think personally of open marriages?

Sam: I think it’s not really a marriage. I mean, each to their own. Obviously some people it works for.

John: I haven’t seen a successful one yet.

How do Bernice and Chrissie get on?

Sam: Ooh God there is going to be tension. It’s okay at the moment and Chrissie has been quite supportive of the wedding but after the Andy business Chrissie is absolutely disgusted. It causes a lot of tension because Chrissie is definitely the lady of the house.

How does Bernice feel about having a step grandson who is Lachlan?

I think she’s quite wary of Lachlan, especially with Gabby. But Gabby’s going a bit dark as well! The pair of them together could be… God knows what’s going to happen. I think we’ll probably see more of that at some point.

What do you think about the character of Lawrence? If it weren’t for the laws of the 1960s and the aversion therapy, could he be leading a very different life to the one he’s got now? Is he quite a tragic character?

John: [In the 60s] Lawrence was blamed for the whole relationship and forcing himself on Harold which wasn’t true. The whole injustice of the whole thing is just appalling… the laws at the time the aversion therapy – it was a terrible thing to happen, and lets not forget that this did happen to young men.

But he’s a man who overcomes all of that and comes out of prison, decides to make something of his life and meets a woman with whom he has a successful marriage, and there’s his hugely successful business. He throws himself into that and has two beautiful daughters with his wife, but yes that’s always in the background. He’s had to make, and his first wife has had to make sacrifices to make the relationship successful. Is that going to be repeated now? We shall see.

Have you spoken to anyone who has been through that aversion therapy?

John: I saw things in the 60s and that’s all I’ll say. I don’t want to involve anyone who would know who I’m talking about but I saw things that were very sad. Electric shock treatment.

Has Lawrence had a gay relationship since the 60s?

John: No. Gay Desires? Maybe. There’s the suspicion that Robert’s rise in his business may have been through longing.

How does he feel about Robert?

John: Not very happy, betrayed and he wants to get him out of the business! At the moment he’s sticking like glue, he can’t get him out of the business.

Would you have liked Lawrence to be the one who shot Robert?

John: No because I want to stay in the show! I can understand why he would have wanted to. The thing about Lawrence is that because everything has happened in his life he’s very thin-skinned and he wears his heart on his sleeve, so it’s very easy to get him into a state where he could perhaps do something like that. I would like to think in the end that he would pull back.

Source:
http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/17/emmerdale-spoilers-stars-reveal-bernice-blackstock-and-lawrence-white-wedding-twists-5498954/

Perdita
26-11-2015, 04:53
Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has said that she found her husband by casting a love spell, and thinks her character Bernice Thomas should follow her lead.

The actress's alter-ego has had a dramatic time on screen this week, sleeping with her former lover Andy Sugden on her wedding night, before entering into an open marriage agreement with new husband Lawrence White.

Viewers know that Bernice has been plagued with doubts about her sexless relationship with Lawrence for a while, as well as fighting her unresolved feelings for Andy.

However, Giles's own love life is a far cry from Bernice's, and she believes that casting a 'love spell' is to thank for that.

Giles said to The Mirror: "I cast a love spell three months before I met my husband Sean and it was absolutely spot on.

"I think Bernice could do with one of my love spells. Some people are just not sexual people, which is fine, but if it's important to one person it's got to be important within the marriage.

"However, I really like the idea Bernice and Lawrence could have a sexless marriage because I think it's more common than we think. It's a good soap relationship."

Speaking about how her spells work, Giles added: "You have to write down what you're looking for and be very specific. And one thing I forgot to put down was for him to be older than me.

"I put taller, as well as details about his personality and morality. Then when I met Sean and we started seeing each other, he was two-and-a-half years younger than me. I thought, 'This feels a bit weird', but it didn't take me long to get over it. If I had remembered to put older than me in my spell, I wouldn't have met him.

"There's nothing dark or negative about what I do, it's giving people the tools to change things about their life. I've had some great success stories."

tammyy2j
26-11-2015, 12:29
What spell did she use :p could I borrow

Perdita
26-11-2015, 13:13
What spell did she use :p could I borrow

You could write to her and ask!! Then let us all know :p :thumbsup:

tammyy2j
26-11-2015, 13:39
You could write to her and ask!! Then let us all know :p :thumbsup:

C/O Home Farm Emmerdale

Telly Watcher
16-02-2016, 01:09
Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock will be under secret surveillance next week, as Chrissie Sugden becomes determined to prove that she's a cheat.

Bernice (Samantha Giles) reignites some uncertainty over her loyalty when she openly flirts with 'Hot Tony' in the salon, leaving Chrissie fuming as she watches on.

When Tony invites Bernice out for a drink, she's on her best behaviour as she turns him down for Chrissie's benefit - telling him that she's happily married.

Once Chrissie (Louise Marwood) has gone, though, Bernice's marriage to Lawrence appears to be the last thing on her mind as she secretly slips Tony's business card into her handbag.

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/16/06/640x427/gallery-1455280118-23-02-emmerdale-05.JPG
© ITV
Bernice flirts with Tony

Nosy Chrissie is quick to spot the card when she looks in Bernice's bag, so she can't help fearing that her dad is being played for a fool by his hot-blooded wife.

Deciding that it's time to find out where Bernice's loyalties really lie, Chrissie forms a cunning plan when she hears that Lawrence is looking for a new groundskeeper.

Chrissie decides to offer Andy Sugden the job, before planting hidden webcams all over Home Farm as she's convinced that Bernice will be tempted by her old flame.

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/16/06/640x425/gallery-1455280710-24-02-emmerdale-02.JPG
© ITV
Chrissie offers Andy a job

Chrissie's son Lachlan helps out with the technological side of the twisted scheme, but it appears that Bernice smells a rat when she offers Andy a shocking tip-off about why he's really been hired.

Later, Chrissie gets a huge shock when she watches some of the secret webcam footage - but will it condemn or clear Bernice?

By Daniel Kilkelly, Digital Spy
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a783631/emmerdale-spoilers-will-bernice-cheat-on-lawrence-after-chrissie-sets-a-cunning-trap/

Perdita
10-06-2016, 17:33
Samantha Giles doesn't think she'll stay on Emmerdale and may quit the ITV soap again.

The 44-year-old actress - who is known for playing feisty redhead Bernice White (also Blackstock and Thomas) - has admitted it probably won't be long before she turns her back on the long-running soap because she likes to spread her wings regularly.

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, she said: "I'm really enjoying it at the moment. I don't think I'm the sort of person who can stay in the one role for donkey's years - not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that I get very itchy feet, so I would like to do other work at some point in the future."

Giles added: "But I have a young family, and I don't like to be away from them for long periods of time, so it's a nice balance. I realise I'm very lucky.

"Emmerdale is a lovely place to be."

However, Samantha is no stranger to trying new things as she also left the show in 2002 - making a brief appearance again in 2004 - before returning permanently in 2012.

She explained: "When I left, I was never cheeky enough to presume they'd ask me back. I didn't leave with the view of returning one day, because I wanted to do other things.

"I had a whole other career by the time they did ask me to come back. To me, my two stints playing Bernice feel like two separate jobs."

Mirror.co.uk

Hope not , I love her character but if she splits from Lawrence .. could that be the writing on the wall?

tammyy2j
18-08-2016, 15:39
Is Sam leaving?

Perdita
18-08-2016, 15:58
Is Sam leaving?

Sounds like she might be from the comments in the interview -- maybe she is going to join Andy wherever he has gone to

Perdita
11-12-2017, 13:55
Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has warned that her character Bernice White will face a big backlash when she finally confesses all next week.

Bernice decides that honesty is the best policy when she hears how much Lydia Hart (Karen Blick) is struggling with her finances.

After weeks of secretly splashing out with Lydia's inheritance money, Bernice reluctantly comes clean about what she's been up to.

A mortified Bernice also needs to have an equally honest conversation with her daughter Dee Dee, admitting the truth behind her recent spending.

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/49/768x516/gallery-soaps-emmerdale-1-bernice-guilt-otcfcadtltfqketdzsmi-2-1.jpg
Bernice White feels guilty about deceiving Dee Dee and Lydia in Emmerdale
© ITV

Speaking about the drama in store, Samantha revealed: "Diane keeps seeing Bernice with all of these receipts, because she's trying to keep a list of everything she's spent so that she can pay it all back.

"It's now getting out of hand because there's so many receipts and Bernice is behaving quite erratically. In the end, Diane tells her that she's got to do something and sort it out.

"Bernice just can't cope with the stress and thinks she has to come clean, because it's now or never. It doesn't go very well! Lydia doesn't have any filter and just says, 'Oh my God, I can't believe you've been doing this, I thought you were a nice person'. Lydia totally tells it how it is.

"I think Bernice feels terrible and she isn't quite sure how she's going to make amends. She's terrified that she's going to lose her daughter now as well."

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/49/768x512/gallery-soaps-emmerdale-5-daz-bernice-yyvyy7lsif5lortiukcq-1-1.jpg
Daz Spencer tries to be Bernice White's knight in shining armour in Emmerdale
© ITV

As Bernice faces the consequences of her actions, her one ray of hope comes in the form of Daz Spencer (Mark Jordon), who tries to help her to get back on better terms with Dee Dee before she leaves for Australia again.

Discussing the possibility that Bernice and Daz could get together, Samantha explained: "It's a funny one, as every time they go to get close, something gets in the way. She's quite rude to him as well, in typical Bernice fashion!

"But Daz does see that Bernice is genuinely devastated that her daughter is going to go back to Australia without this mess being sorted out.

http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/49/768x507/gallery-soaps-emmerdale-5-daz-bernice-yyvyy7lsif5lortiukcq-2-1.jpg
Daz Spencer tries to be Bernice White's knight in shining armour in Emmerdale
© ITV

"Daz intervenes and gets Dee Dee to come and see Bernice. They go to the airport together and they manage to resolve everything before she goes back to Australia.

"I don't know where Bernice and Daz are going at the moment, but I really like working with Mark Jordon. It's a bit of a 'will they, won't they?' storyline.

"If they are going to get together, perhaps it's better that it's a slow burn scenario, because Bernice usually rushes into relationships very quickly."


Digital Spy

lizann
20-09-2019, 23:22
bernice to exit after actress confirms she is leaving

https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1180755/Emmerdale-spoilers-Bernice-Blackstock-exit-leaving-quits-Samantha-Giles-itv-video-watch

lizann
19-04-2021, 00:21
talk of her returning

Perdita
19-04-2021, 04:21
Confirmed return to claim Liam back as her's


https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/?fbclid=IwAR3aKKhEdLIr-ul3F2gDb3W29ZtkXPHKRz2vhZrhSRjSz4oSsanx2Z1LH9s

tammyy2j
21-04-2021, 00:32
Confirmed return to claim Liam back as her's


https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/?fbclid=IwAR3aKKhEdLIr-ul3F2gDb3W29ZtkXPHKRz2vhZrhSRjSz4oSsanx2Z1LH9s

I did not think Sam would ever return, she wanted to be killed off

Is DeeDee returning with her?

I like Bernice so welcome her return

Perdita
22-11-2022, 17:10
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a42035277/emmerdale-spoilers-bernice-menopause/

Bernice starts to cause concern to those around her in upcoming Emmerdale scenes as her behaviour has started to become a little erratic ? and she thinks she knows what the problem is.

The situation unfolds at the salon in scenes to air next week when Bear makes a joke that does not go down well with Bernice, and she can't help but retaliate in a way that makes it very clear that there is something going on with her.

Bernice reaches for a hose and goes to soak him for his ill-advised joke, only her aim is not quite as spot on as she would have hoped, and she accidentally hits Mandy?s care home manager client instead!

Mandy and Bear are horrified by her actions, while Bernice looks stunned herself as she switches off the water and makes a hasty exit from the salon. That leaves the others to try and smooth things over with the displeased client.

Needing somebody to talk to, Bernice turns to Bob and he offers her a sympathetic ear while she tells him how she has been feeling of late. Bob tells Bernice that he thinks it would be best if she booked herself an appointment with the doctor so that they can get to the root of what is causing her erratic behavior.

But he realises how bad things are for her when the conversation ends up leading to her bursting into tears.

Gabby only ends up making Bernice feel even worse later on when she accidentally leads her to think that she may have dementia, but a chat with Laurel ends up making her realise what is actually going on.

And sure enough, Liam later backs up what Laurel says by making it clear Bernice doesn't have dementia and is actually going through menopause.

lizann
16-07-2023, 23:56
rumoured to be leaving

Perdita
17-07-2023, 04:01
rumoured to be leaving

Think she is doing a panto so probably not leaving permanently

johntrevor
17-07-2023, 12:18
Think she is doing a panto so probably not leaving permanently

It has been confirmed that Samantha Giles will star in a Christmas panto of Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford later this year, something that Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors are not usually allowed to do under contract.

Perdita
19-07-2023, 11:17
It has been confirmed that Samantha Giles will star in a Christmas panto of Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford later this year, something that Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors are not usually allowed to do under contract.

Sharon Marshall said on This Morning that she is leving and no plans to return in the near future... :(

Perdita
21-10-2023, 04:05
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a45595994/emmerdale-samantha-giles-confirms-exit/

Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has confirmed she will be exiting the soap very soon.

Back in July, it was reported that the star could be set for another exit as Bernice Blackstock, having last departed the Dales in 2019.

Appearing on today's (October 20) This Morning, Samantha revealed that she will indeed be departing the soap, with her final episode set for next month.

"I haven't been able to kind of confirm it, really, until now. But yes, I am going," she told hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. "I think my last on screen is 14th November, the final episode."

The exit comes ahead of Samantha appearing in panto this Christmas in a production of Cinderella at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre.

Earlier this year, the actress expressed a desire to explore other roles during an appearance on Loose Women.

"I've never lost that thing of wanting to go and do other things," she admitted. "You know, like the stage, I really miss theatre, because it's like this. You've got your audience there, you're having a relationship with your audience."

Speaking back in 2020 after her previous exit from the show, Samantha admitted that she wouldn't have minded if the show's writers killed Bernice off, and that she was "starting to feel a bit stifled" by the role.

"Emmerdale very kindly left the door open for me," she told OK!. "I wouldn't have minded if they'd killed me off, but they were lovely.

"They didn't want me to leave but I got the urge. This departure is my second from the show ? the first was after three years, then this stint was from 2012 to 2019. But I'm ready to move on."

lizann
21-10-2023, 13:38
off to dee dee or diane leaving her new business and daughter and grand son behind

lizann
05-06-2025, 13:03
returning temporary

Perdita
05-06-2025, 15:27
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/emmerdale/samantha-giles-bernice-return-report-newsupdate/


A popular Emmerdale character is reportedly returning to the soap opera for a guest stint, marking a major event in the Yorkshire-set continuing drama.

The Sun reports that Samantha Giles will be reprising the role of Bernice Blackstock on a temporary basis, returning to the village as a guest at the wedding of daughter Gabby (Rosie Bentham) and her fianc?, Vinny (Bradley Johnson).

Giles has appeared intermittently on Emmerdale since 2001, with her latest stretch coming to an end in 2023, as Bernice was written out in a storyline that saw her move to Portugal.

Shortly after her departure, Giles told The Sun that she was "enjoying doing lots of different things" but would "never say never" to returning to Emmerdale at some point down the line.

According to the tabloid, this reprisal is strictly temporary, with filming of Giles's limited scenes due to take place within weeks.

A source told The Sun: "Everything is being kept very hush hush but of course Bernice's return is a big deal as one of the soap's most loved characters. And Samantha being back among the cast is a real win too, as everyone loves working with her."

RadioTimes.com has reached out to ITV for comment on this unconfirmed casting report.

Bernice has had a tumultuous history with bride-to-be daughter Gabby, having been an inconsistent presence in her life during her formative years, which were marred by the untimely death of her father, Ashley (played by John Middleton).

She was present for Gabby's previous attempt at marriage to the closeted Nicky Milligan (Lewis Cope), who stunned her shortly before the ceremony by revealing that he actually had feelings for another man.

Hopefully, this second engagement ends on a more positive note, but regular viewers know all too well that weddings rarely unfold without some sort of incident in the ever-dramatic land of soap.

The question then becomes, what drama could emerge from Bernice's return to the Dales? She certainly hasn't been a shy and retiring character in the past, so expect a grand entrance should this report prove accurate.

lizann
18-09-2025, 21:41
a quick visit, at least bob got a jump

Perdita
19-09-2025, 03:37
a quick visit, at least bob got a jump

It was good fun though, I enjoyed her scenes

johntrevor
19-09-2025, 10:40
It was good fun though, I enjoyed her scenes

Nice to see her back if only to wind up her brat of a sister Nicola