I did read online yesterday that Leyla is back in January. Does anyone know anymore about this?
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I did read online yesterday that Leyla is back in January. Does anyone know anymore about this?
Yes, she is back in January
http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/s...h-January-2014
Yes, she is back in January
http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/s...h-January-2014
Emmerdale couple Alicia Harding and David Metcalfe will face one disaster after another as they prepare to get married on Christmas Day.
The loved-up pair are determined to have the perfect ceremony after a difficult year, but with pregnant Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade) still bitter following her split from David (Matthew Wolfenden), not everyone in the village wishes them well.
Here, Natalie Anderson - who plays Alicia - reveals what fans can expect from the Christmas wedding storyline.
How is Alicia feeling about the future with David as Christmas week begins?
"Alicia is extremely excited about her future. David has done a very, very good job of reassuring Alicia that he wants to be with her. Regardless of everything that's going on with the baby and everything else, David is being really rock solid with her, so she's really excited.
"It's basically everything Alicia has wanted. Obviously she'd never factored in Priya having a baby, but she thinks that they're strong enough to get through that."
How much is Priya's pregnancy actually bothering Alicia?
"It is bothering her, but I think it's something that Alicia has dealt with in her own mind for a long time. She knew for a long time that this could probably happen in her future with somebody else - not necessarily David, but she knew she can't have children. She's known that for a very, very long time so she's dealt with that aspect.
"Obviously it upsets her, because she wishes to God that she could give David a baby, but she can't. That bothers her, but at the same time, she's still got the man that she loves and she's still got Jacob who is the other big love in Alicia's life."
How suspicious is Alicia of Priya's intentions at this point?
"I think Alicia is starting to get a little bit suspicious, just because of a few things that Priya says. Priya starts to say things like, 'Oh, you won't really be bothered with all this, Alicia' and 'David and I have got a lot to talk about'. Alicia starts to think that Priya is trying to push her out. But it's understandable that Priya is going to feel that way and I think Alicia is grown up enough to know what the situation is and to know what's happening."
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Priya tells David to call off the wedding.
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Priya wants David back
Has Alicia considered what it's going to be like when the child arrives and starts to grow up?
"I think she has considered it, but I don't think she knows how hard it's going to be, because we don't know how Priya is going to react. Priya is very unpredictable and you never quite know where you are with her.
"Going on her own experiences, I think Alicia is thinking, 'I've managed to work things out with my ex-husband, we both see Jacob, it's fine and we've worked it out, so everybody else can be like that'. I think she's basing it on her own experience, but we don't know that Priya is going to necessarily be that way."
Priya ends up having an outburst at David's stag party. Does Alicia have any idea of this?
"Well, the next day, on the day of the wedding, Alica sees an exchange between Val and Priya and she's very suspicious because all along she is starting to feel a little bit unsettled with Priya. Again it's the fact that's she's unpredictable, and it's getting closer to the wedding so she's starting to feel a little bit nervous.
"It's Val who tells Alicia that there was a moment where Priya said she wanted David back but he told her where to go. This unsettles Alicia to the point where she's on the verge of calling the wedding off. She rings David and says, 'I don't want this all to be about Priya having a meltdown, this is our day so let's just cancel it'. David again does a very good job of talking Alicia round."
What else goes wrong in the lead-up to the wedding?
"I'd say nearly everything goes wrong! It starts off really lovely and then bang, the boiler's broken! So many other things go wrong and the only way I can describe it without giving everything away is if you can imagine David and Alicia as a pair of tennis players. There they are in practice, batting off all the balls that are coming at them very fast. They keep dropping the balls and they can't quite hit them away as swiftly as they'd want to.
"It's literally like a comedy of errors - all these different things that go wrong. I don't want to spoil it for anybody but some of the worst things that could happen, do happen!"
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Val burns Alicia's hair.
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Val burns Alicia's hair.
How would Alicia feel if this meant she didn't get married?
"I think she would be devastated. I don't think it would be a question of does David love her, I just think it'd be the disappointment on the day. It wouldn't be a case of, 'Oh my God he doesn't want to marry me', it would be, 'Oh can't we just get anything right? Can't anything go our way?'"
Do you think Priya would really try to ruin everything?
"Yes. I think she's got every reason to. Ultimately it happened to Priya the day before her own wedding. I don't necessarily think it would be about Alicia, I think it would be about David and how much he's hurt her. Essentially he's the one here that has been at fault, in the sense that he's not had the courage to say what he needed to say in the beginning.
"That has led to people being really hurt, so I think if Priya did ruin the wedding, it wouldn't be about getting one over on Alicia, I think it would just be spoiling things for David."
What were these scenes like to film? You must be used to a TV wedding by now!
"I am used to a TV wedding by now, yeah! It was good, it was really lovely to film and it's been great fun. It was very exciting getting ready and playing it all out."
Did you have any involvement in picking the dress?
"I did have a lot of involvement in the dress! I never thought I would wear anything like that personally, then once I got it on, I really liked it. I had a meeting with Sue, our head of costume at Emmerdale, and it turned out that we both had the same idea! We both had very clear ideas about what Alicia would like and what she would want.
"I don't think it's necessarily as flamboyant, shall we say, as maybe once upon a time Alicia might have picked. Being the wedding planner, I think she's learned that sometimes less is more."
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Alicia sees Priya from her window.
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Alicia on the morning of her wedding
How does it compare to her last wedding dress?
"Well, obviously with the last one I was heavily pregnant, so we had to have a different kind of dress. That was something that we envisaged that Gennie would have helped her with, because it was quite '60s and a bit kooky in its design. With this one, I definitely think this is something that Alicia has picked herself and you can imagine that she's picked it."
How would you sum up the past year of storylines?
"Crikey! It's been brilliant and I've enjoyed it so much. I've been very lucky in that one of my ambitions was to be in a rom-com. I'm a massive fan of Jennifer Aniston movies and things like that, and I feel that the way that the David/Alicia storyline has played out has been very rom-com.
"The fact that we get towards the wedding at Christmas, it's just ticked all my boxes. It's everything that I love - we've had high comedy, high drama with the shooting, and romance. It's been absolutely brilliant and I genuinely could not have asked for more. I'm so grateful for the storyline - it's been brilliant."
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Things are not going to plan for David.
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Things are not going to plan for David.
We've heard that the drama will continue in 2014... What kind of New Year will Alicia have?
"It's very exciting. 2014 is going to be a big year for all of them, really. For Alicia there's going be new elements - new sides of her character to explore, new challenges, and obviously we'll see how she gets on when Priya's baby arrives. There's obviously a lot more to go through with Jacob. And with David, how solid are they - how strong are they?"
How do you rate Alicia and David's chances?
"I think they've got a really good chance, because ultimately - like I've said all along - they are best friends and they know each other implicitly. What we've seen already on screen and what myself and Matthew have tried to play is the honesty of their relationship.
"What we hope will go forward is that they're a very honest couple, and even though sometimes they have to say things that hurt the other person, that's real life. You have to air your views and you have to be able to say what you think without throwing the towel in."
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz2niRrEwJD
Emmerdale's Christmas special featured a surprise for fans as Leyla Harding made an unexpected return on her sister Alicia's wedding day.
Leyla was locked in a cupboard by Val Pollard (Charlie Hardwick) as her presence threatened to derail Alicia's big day with David Metcalfe.
Alicia (Natalie Anderson) and David (Matthew Wolfenden) finally got their happy ending as the wedding went ahead as planned, but there was little time to celebrate once Alicia discovered that Leyla was back…
Prior to the Christmas episode airing, Digital Spy caught up with Roxy Shahidi - who plays Leyla - for her first full interview about her Emmerdale comeback and what's in store.
Emmerdale: Roxy Shahidi on Leyla Harding's shock return
How does it feel to be back on Emmerdale?
"It's just really exciting. It was great going away and doing different things, but when I got the call about coming back, it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Once I had a chat with the producer Kate Oates, we talked about storylines and I was so excited because I'm coming back to the best storyline I've ever had to play - definitely in terms of drama anyway!"
Was it always the plan that Leyla would return on Christmas Day?
"Well, initially there were talks about Leyla coming back a bit earlier, but I was doing a play at the National which was extended, so the dates didn't work out. I went away from that not knowing whether Leyla was coming back, but then when Kate got in touch with this Christmas Day storyline, it just felt like fate because it was a much better way for Leyla to come back into the show."
It's always great to get a big storyline at Christmas!
"Absolutely. I love the character of Leyla so much and even though I had my reasons for wanting to leave, I always hoped that she could come back at some point. It was important to me that if Leyla did come back it would be with a really good storyline, otherwise it would just be a wasted return.
"I was so excited and flattered to have a comeback at Christmas, because it's such a big day for the show. I was also nervous, as Leyla has been away for so long and it's such a big return. But as soon as I was on set for a couple of hours working with Matthew, Natalie and Charlie Hardwick, it was like I'd never been away and everything came flooding back."
Emmerdale didn't announce your return so that fans would have a surprise at Christmas. How did you feel about that?
"I think it's great to have a surprise - you don't want everyone to know beforehand because otherwise it just ruins it. It's been so hard to keep it a secret - as I'm talking to you now, my mum and my grandma don't know that I'm back on Emmerdale! I keep telling them that I'm doing a Christmas show because my mum keeps asking me, 'Why are you on the motorway again? What are you working on?'
"It's really hard as I can't tell them what I've been doing. The first time they will find out is on Christmas Day when I say, 'Why don't we put Emmerdale on?'"
Did you watch the show after you'd left?
"I dipped in and out, mainly as I've been at the National for the past 12 months where you start work at 6.30pm and finish at 11pm. I'd always catch up with big episodes, though, like the live episode and Sian Reese-Williams's exit, which was amazing. I tuned in for the Woolpack flood too.
"Going back into it, I think it's nice for me not to know every single detail, because Leyla doesn't know many of those things either. I'm re-exploring the village and so is she."
Is Leyla planning trouble for David and Alicia?
"I think David is definitely annoyed that Leyla has returned. The trouble is that they have such a past and it's going to be almost impossible to find some sort of peace between them.
"In terms of whether Leyla wants to split David and Alicia up, I don't think that's her intention at all. If she has got any feelings for David, they're not on the surface and they're well-buried. I think it's the same for David too, so we're not playing any romantic tension or anything like that.
"Where the drama lies is that Leyla has got such a real love for all of those characters, but the dynamic has changed so dramatically. There'll be a lot of challenges and there are massive twists and turns coming up, which are really exciting. Christmas Day is one surprise, but then there's more surprises in the New Year which end up bringing Leyla back into the village."
*ow does Leyla feel about Jacob now knowing the truth about her being his mother?
"I think she's a bit worried, but ultimately she's relieved as it's been such a massive secret. It's funny as just before I found out I was coming back, I got a letter from a viewer saying, 'This is the best-kept secret in soap!' It's really good that we kept a lid on it for so long, but it's also great that Jacob knows now. Leyla is pleased that the truth is out in the open, but that will also have its own challenges.
"Jacob is hurt as he feels that people have lied to him, especially Leyla. He also feels quite abandoned as Leyla left, so there's a lot to work through with those two, but he's such a lovely child on and off-screen, so I think they'll find a balance in their relationship. It's the other relationships that are a lot more complicated, like Leyla and Alicia and Leyla and David."
Are you allowed to say how long you're back for?
"Well, Leyla has definitely got lots of exciting stuff in the New Year. That's all I really know at the moment, but everything we've filmed so far has been fantastic. Myself and Natalie had some days filming on-location for something airing in the New Year, which will be another big twist in the story. After that, there's stuff in the pipeline but I haven't read the scripts yet!"
As you mentioned, you've been very busy with theatre work. Did you enjoy that chance to go away and do something different?
"It was really good. I'd never done a Shakespeare before, but then I played Bianca in Othello at the National alongside some amazing actors and actresses. We were on the Olivier stage which was incredible and there was an amazing cast and director.
"I'm so glad I did that, and I also did a yoga DVD which is out at the moment. I think taking on those new projects led perfectly to me feeling really ready to come back to this character with more life and excitement than I had before. Sometimes you need that little break away."
Have you made friends with any of the new cast?
"I've been working quite a bit with Fiona Wade who plays Priya, and she's lovely. She's so sweet and we've got some interesting stuff on the way. I'm involved in one of her storylines in the New Year, so I'm really lucky that we get along. We share a dressing room as well, so that's nice. I've only been back a few weeks and I've made a new friend."
Has the show changed much while you've been away?
"I think Kate's been absolutely amazing. She's really injected a new lease of life into the show and that's been reflected in viewer ratings, awards and the energy of the building. I think people feel even more excited to be part of Emmerdale, and I know going back into it, I felt like that too."
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz2oWKqXWwf
I wonder will she team with Priya to try and break up David and Alicia
Emmerdale's David Metcalfe faces fresh turmoil over the next week as his baby daughter is delivered seven weeks early.
The popular shop owner will rush to support his ex-fiancée Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade) when she gives birth prematurely, before an anxious wait follows as they are left wondering over their child's health.
Off-screen, next week will be a brighter one for Matthew Wolfenden - who plays David - as he will be among the nominees at the British Soap Awards, having made it to the final 5 in the Sexiest Male category.
Digital Spy recently caught up with Matthew for an exclusive chat about his upcoming storylines and his awards nod.
How do you feel about being up for the Sexiest Male award?
"It's very flattering and a little bit embarrassing at the same time! (Laughs.) It's great that people have gone to the effort of voting. There was a public vote to decide who'd make it onto the shortlist, so the fact that people have taken the time and bothered to vote is really nice."
Have you thought about possibly winning it?
"I've got no expectations at all! I'm up against Danny Mac from Hollyoaks - as if I'm going to win!"
Emmerdale's had a great 12 months with the Killer Cameron and Woolpack siege stories. Do you think it's in with a good chance across the board this year?
"Every time I do these interviews, I was always say it could be Emmerdale's turn and we could be in with a chance - but you just never know. We always go with high expectations and generally we come away with a couple of awards, but we never get the big one. I don't think we've had the Best Soap prize in the history of the Soap Awards yet.
"We will see what happens, but I think we've had one of the show's strongest years - certainly in the 8 years that I've been here. I personally have had a great year for David as well - it's been fantastic."
You must be pleased to see Joe-Warren Plant who plays Jacob up for Best Young Performance!
"Definitely - that kid is one of my favourite people on set, as we have such a laugh together. He started on Emmerdale when he was 8 years old and he's 12 now. He's just such a great kid and he's really growing up now.
"It's usually me against the girls on set, because I've had Alicia, Leyla and Priya! It was always the girls picking on me, but I've got a little ally now and we both give it back as much as we get! I love being on set with Joe-Warren and I think he's an incredible actor. There's much more to come for him as well - I know they've got big plans for Jacob.
"I actually think, out of any of the awards that we're up for, Joe-Warren's probably got the strongest chance because he is fantastic."
There's been a real mix of comedy and drama for David this year. Which have you preferred playing?
"I love doing both. It's been great this year, because they have given me some drama to do. My character was always seen as a bit dizzy and did have a lot of comedy storylines, so the chance to be given some more dramatic stuff too has been fantastic - especially when Alicia was shot during the siege.
"We've had some good stuff recently with the inheritance storyline and us ending up fighting over money in the river, but straight off the back of that, there's some really heavy scenes ahead with Priya and the baby. Within the space of about two weeks, David goes from high comedy to high drama."
Next week, it'll be touch and go as to whether Priya and David's baby daughter survives after she arrives prematurely. Were those scenes challenging to film?
"They were - we spent a whole week filming on the hospital set for all of these scenes. It was challenging, but when you get a storyline like this which has been really well-written and well-researched, it's not difficult to find the emotion. It just works.
"When you're in that environment on the hospital set, it feels like you're in a real hospital, because you've got so many extras, doctors and nurses rushing around! I was in there doing lots of scenes with Fiona and it was really emotional. Hopefully that will come across on screen and it'll be a good week of episodes."
What's it like to work with a baby on set?
"To be honest, we haven't done that much yet! With the scenes in the hospital, we were working with what we call a 'jelly baby'. They're basically like a doll, but they're worth an absolute fortune because they're specially-made, they breathe and their skin feels real! It's quite bizarre!"
Priya has never really got over David, so will her old feelings crop up again in the next few weeks?
"I think they definitely will crop up again - I know that for certain! It's how it plays out from then that I don't really know. Priya is not very well at the moment, so a massive factor is that she just wants somebody to be there for her - and at the current time, that person is David.
"I'm not sure whether Priya is still in love with David, or whether she just wants to be with someone, but we'll have to see how that plays out over the next few weeks."
Alicia starts to feel left out once the baby arrives. Does David realise that?
"David is massively distracted by his own problems at the moment, so he doesn't really realise. That's not great on David's part, really, but he is going through a lot! He's got his baby to think about and he starts to forget about Alicia a little bit.
"But he is kicked into touch, because Alicia is a very strong girl. Let's just say that she doesn't just sit back, say nothing and let him walk all over her - she does make her feelings known!"
People always used to ask you when Leyla would return. Were you glad when she finally came back?
"Definitely! Me and Rokhsaneh [Shahidi, who plays Leyla] had so much to do together before she left. We used to be on set together all day, every day. For her to come back and be so heavily involved in this story again is just fantastic.
"I get so many comments on Twitter from people who say how well Alicia, David and Leyla work together. I think it was a really good idea bringing her back and we're all loving it."
They've spent most of their time rowing, but do you think there's any unresolved feelings between David and Leyla?
"I think that's well and truly in the past, but they love to hate each other! They share a bond and a love for each other, but I don't think it's romantic. There's always a bit of a twinkle in their eyes when they're getting at each other and it's usually in good humour, but I don't think they'll be getting back together. They might resolve some differences at some point, though!"
You've also done some presenting work for ITV in the past year. Is that something you're keen to do more of?
"It's something I'm definitely interested in and would love to do more of. Now and again shows like Lorraine will ask me if they've got something up north, which is really nice. I don't want to leave Emmerdale, though - that's my bread and butter and I love being part of the show, but it'd be nice to carry on presenting as a little sideline!"
There's just a few days left to vote for the Inside Soap Awards 2014 and among this year's nominees is Emmerdale actress Natalie Anderson in the Sexiest Female category.
The soap star has an interesting few weeks ahead on screen as her character Alicia Metcalfe gets involved in her sister Leyla's love life, but just how would she react if she knew what her wayward sibling was up to with Jai Sharma?
Digital Spy recently caught up with Natalie for a chat about Alicia's future, the awards and what's coming up for Emmerdale in general over the autumn.
How do you feel about being nominated for Sexiest Female at the Inside Soap Awards this year?
"To be honest, it's so lovely and flattering. As I've said before, I do get a bit embarrassed but it is nice and it's really lovely to be considered.
"I haven't thought about it much more than that because I honestly think I've got a cat in hell's chance of winning! I'm like the old nana compared to the other girls, but it's really sweet and lovely to be nominated."
Emmerdale won Best Soap last year, so do you think the show is in with a good chance again this time around?
"I absolutely do as I think Emmerdale has been brilliant in the last year, particularly over the summer. All I can do is applaud Mark Charnock, Verity Rushworth and Michael Parr. The Ross and Donna storyline was absolutely amazing, engaging and heartfelt. It showed different sides to so many different characters and I think that's what makes us really strong at Emmerdale as the characters aren't just one-dimensional.
"Val, Eric and their experiences with HIV was another amazing story that we tackled, showing that HIV can affect people from all walks of life. I love that our producer tackles issues that are a little bit controversial and hard-hitting, but also portrays them in a way that people may not have expected - it's not just your usual stereotypes.
"I know going into the autumn we've got even more to come, so hopefully we'll be getting stronger and stronger in the build-up to the awards."
Emmerdale and Hollyoaks have both won Best Soap prizes in the past 12 months, so it must be a boost to see the underdogs finally getting recognition!
"Absolutely - I was thrilled for Hollyoaks at the Soap Awards. I saw their explosion episode and thought it was absolutely brilliant. It's nice that we are both being recognised and the viewers are really sticking up for us. I know it's the same with all of the soaps, but when you're working really hard on the show, it's nice to just get a little bit back and a little bit of a reward. Nine times out of ten, ourselves and Hollyoaks usually don't get that, so to have that morale boost is brilliant.
"It's also great for the whole genre of soaps because the competition is wide open now and we can all fight properly for the Best Soap prize!"
Are there any fellow nominees you're rooting for?
"Verity Rushworth for sure - I would absolutely give her the Best Actress award. I'm so proud of Verity as I've known her since she was 9 and we went to dance classes together. She was the little one back then, so to see her mature into this incredibly brilliant actress and woman is fantastic. Verity is so gracious and humble but also extremely talented.
"It can be difficult bringing an old character back to the show and getting the audience to engage with them again, particularly with Donna as she left under really bad circumstances with Marlon. It's incredible that Verity made that audience perception change and I know that I've absolutely bawled my eyes out watching her scenes this year.
"I'm hoping that Verity gets Best Actress, but I also love Mark Charnock dearly and think that he's one of our best actors. Michael Parr has been fantastic too."
Alicia and David had a busy start to the year but things have quietened down a bit recently. Do they have some good stuff coming up?
"Definitely, but I think it's more on the lighter side for the time being. I think I need to put everybody's minds at rest that Alicia and David are very happy together and there are definitely no break-ups coming up! They're settled and they're staying together for the foreseeable future.
"There is a lot more fun coming up with them, though, especially with Leyla. As Leyla is involved in a lot of scrapes with Jai and Megan at the moment, David and Alicia get roped into that a little bit.
"What I'm pleased about is that the reason people really liked David and Alicia in the first place and really championed them getting together was because they are best friends. They had so much fun together and that worked. We've been able to play more of that recently, so over the next few months I'm really excited for the viewers to see Alicia and David as they were - they're having fun, they're bickering a bit and they're very much a married couple."
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Alicia and David have to break news to Leyla.
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Alicia, David and Leyla
Do you prefer it when Alicia and David are settled like that?
"It's not necessarily that I prefer it, but we had such a long time of darkness. I absolutely love working with Matthew [Wolfenden], Rokhsaneh [Gwaham-Shahidi] and Joe-Warren [Plant] when we have really deep and emotional stuff to do. They are my on screen family and we seem to bounce really well off each other.
"But because we had pretty much two years of quite dark and intense stuff, it is nice to have some light and shade. We've got the balance back at the moment."
We'll soon see Alicia start to play matchmaker for Leyla, not realising that she's having an affair with Jai…
"Yes, that's really funny and it's been brilliant to play those scenes with Matthew. It's Alicia and David who are trying to set Leyla up. It's Alicia who's being really forceful about it and poor David doesn't want to get involved, but she's cracking the whip!
"Matthew is being Matthew at his best in these scenes - he's very comic. Rokhsaneh is very comical as well so that's been really fun to film."
How would Alicia react if she found out about Leyla and Jai's affair?
"I think Alicia would be really cross, but ultimately family comes first for her. Even though Alicia doesn't agree with people having affairs and she would be very cross with Leyla for betraying Megan, she won't turn her back on her sister if she is genuinely in love with Jai.
"It's a bit of a moral dilemma for Alicia, because as much as she would be angry, she would never want her sister to be unhappy."
Will Alicia get involved in Priya's arranged marriage storyline too?
"Alicia does get involved a little bit and that's quite nice and refreshing, because Alicia and Priya have both found their feet now. They have a few heart-to-hearts and Alicia is very encouraging to Priya about the wedding.
"I've been asked before whether that's because she wants to get rid of Priya and get her married off so that she's not interested in David, but that's definitely not the case. All Alicia wants is for Priya to be happy. When Priya's happy, Amba is happy and that means David is happy.
"Alicia genuinely doesn't dislike Priya, even though she gets annoyed and frustrated with her at times. There is a common ground between them and they have been through a lot together, so they can be there for each other in a very strange way."
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Alicia confronts Priya about her feelings for David,
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Priya and Alicia
We've heard that Emmerdale are filming some massive stuff at the moment, so you are excited for what's coming up?
"Absolutely. When I heard about the things that are coming up, my mouth hit the floor and I wondered if it was a joke. There are some things coming up that are so ambitious, brilliant and so clever. I'm so excited as everything coming from the autumn up until next summer is just going to be incredible. I can't wait for people to see the twists and turns ahead!"
You've also teamed up with a close friend and launched your own red carpet fashion line, so do your co-stars approach you when the award ceremonies come around?
"They do and it's really nice! We recently dressed Nicola Wheeler as she was at a dinner for the Tour De France launch. She asked if we had anything, so we did a dress for her. We have got a few more designs we're working on now for the awards season. We're putting together a whole new collection and I've been sending little sketches to people to see what they think. It's really nice and flattering that people do ask me, and we dressed a few girls at the Soap Awards this year.
"The project has gone really well. We never launched it trying to take on the high street - we were always a small cottage industry business that would be doing one-off pieces and made-to-measure dresses. Now we're growing and we've got more plans into next year to do a ready-to-wear line. I don't want to rush anything as I like to take my time, but we're really happy with how it's gone."
Emmerdale producer Kate Oates has revealed that she is planning a big storyline for David and Alicia Metcalfe.
The popular couple have been quieter on screen over the past few months, but they will take centre stage once again in the New Year.
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Alicia and David discuss Jacob.
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David and Alicia
Speaking of her plans for the pair, Oates teased: "We've got a story that I'm excited about for David and Alicia after Christmas. For my money they've both been off screen for too long.
"I think they're two fantastic actors, so that will be happening in the New Year. I can tell you that the story will involve a bit of a curveball and hopefully raise some really interesting debate."
David and Alicia's storyline will follow a busy Christmas period for the ITV soap. This year, Andy Sugden and Katie Addyman will feature prominently in the festive episodes, as they prepare to tie the knot in the wake of Robert's return to the village.
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Andy and Katie start to think about their future
© ITV
Andy and Katie
Oates said: "We've got a really nice Christmas planned. Andy and Katie are really central to that, because their big day is approaching and that will be really lovely. Robert will be causing problems around that, definitely!
"We also have some stuff with Charity as her story is continuing and Cain will be involved in that. We'll be seeing Charity and Cain working together again, which I really love and I know Jeff Hordley and Emma Atkins love too."
Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson has expressed excitement over the big storyline ahead for her character Alicia Metcalfe.
Last month, the ITV soap's producer Kate Oates promised more screen time for Alicia and husband David (Matthew Wolfenden) in the New Year, when they will take centre stage with a major plot.
Anderson told Hello: "I'm definitely back into the swing of things at work now, which is brilliant after having a lovely relaxing summer. I'm involved in a very big storyline in the New Year which we begin filming very soon. I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into it.
"My producer Kate Oates recently said in an interview that 'it would raise debate', and I completely agree. I'm extremely proud to be part of Emmerdale as I feel we push boundaries and produce fantastic drama, and I'm excited to begin playing my part in that over the coming months."
Alicia and David have had a quieter time on screen in recent months, but the new storyline will see them take their turn in the spotlight once again.
Oates said recently: "We've got a story that I'm excited about for David and Alicia after Christmas. For my money, they've both been off screen for too long.
"I think they're two fantastic actors, so that will be happening in the New Year. I can tell you that the story will involve a bit of a curveball and hopefully raise some really interesting debate."
Wonder what the storyline is ... :hmm: