JAYE ON PLAYING SOAP VILLAIN

Crooks Celia and Ray

- BY CHRISTINE SMITH

Stabbed to death last night by her right-hand man Ray Walters, farmer Celia Daniels finally got the comeuppance many Emmerdale fans thought she deserved.

But Jaye Griffiths, who played her, feels it was a tragic end to one of the best roles she has ever had.

The 62-year-old says: "Working on Emmerdale has been one of my best TV jobs ever. There is still that thing of women being maternal, caring and the givers. Celia was none of these and I've loved playing her. I found it liberating to be that unfeeling.

"Celia has been a shocker and I am glad I didn't shy away from having no scruples - not even half a one.

"If she told someone she was going to hurt them, she did."

Jaye, who has also been in The Bill, Silent Witness, EastEnders, Doctors and Casualty, was heartbroken at her time in Emmerdale being over.

She says: "It has been very hard to face the reality of leaving and it took me ages to learn my lines, because I was so resistant to it happening. It came to my last scene and I nearly cried, then I had to lie on the cold floor pretending to be dead. It has been very hard."

Jaye, who only joined the show in June, says working on Emmerdale has been life-changing.

She adds: "Since finishing filming, I've missed the soap so much. To suddenly have no scenes to learn, no call sheets - it's been really tough."

She also praises the cast for their commitment and friendliness, adding: "Everybody wants to work, there is nobody skiving.