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Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has exclusively told Inside Soap that she is hoping for Vanessa Woodfield’s mother to turn up in the Dales.
As things stand, Vanessa’s only blood relative in the village is her little boy Johnny, so there’s plenty of room for new additions.
Back in 2019, Vanessa’s dad Frank Clayton died in the sweet factory fire, while earlier this year, the vet’s half-sister Tracy left the village with her daughter Frankie in tow.
ITV
Tracy will one day return to the village given that her exit was timed around actress Amy Walsh’s maternity leave, but still, Michelle is eyeing up a surprising new addition to her character’s clan.
“We don’t know anything about Vanessa’s mother, so I would love her to come in,” she tells us. “I’d like to delve into the background with that relationship – it’s my dream storyline. There must have been some problems there, because she looks to Mary as a surrogate mum. I think the bond she and Mary have is absolutely gorgeous.”
Vanessa’s closeness with Mary is the result of her long-standing friendship with Rhona – and Michelle is all for her character’s female friendships, including her newest ones with Manpreet and Ruby.
“I worked with Rebecca Sarker [Manpreet] during the Dr Todd storyline, and I love her,” she grins. “I’ve never had much with Beth Cordingly [Ruby] before, but that’s an absolute joy. Girls’ nights out are great to film!”
On the romance side of things, Vanessa has been single since the sick truth about Dr Todd was revealed, and there doesn’t seem to be any love affairs in the offing either.
ITV
“There’s nothing going on in Vanessa’s love life, which is fine because I don’t think she needs anyone yet,” Michelle shares. “She was really hurt after everything that happened with Caitlin [Dr Todd]. I’d love to say to her, ‘You’re at that point in your life where you should consider if you really need a partner.'”
“Vanessa has so many friends,” adds the star. “She can throw herself into her work, and she’s got her son, Johnny, to focus on. I think she should just enjoy the here and now, and have fun. She deserves it!”
To read our full exclusive chat with Michelle on all things Vanessa, pick up the latest issue of Inside Soap, available to buy from Tuesday, 27 October.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
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