'WE'RE A BIG FAMILY AT HOLLYOAKS'

Soap star Nadine Mulkerrin is back as Hollyoaks' Cleo McQueen - and it's like she's never been away

- Alice Penwill

Nadine Mulkerrin says returning to Hollyoaks feels like "coming home" N and the show truly is a family affair for the actress, who plays Cleo McQueen.

Nadine met her fiancé Rory Douglas-Speed (who plays Joel Dexter) on the soap eight years ago. Since then, the couple have got engaged and welcomed sons Reggie, four, and Dougie, 20 months who Nadine has been spending her time with during her 18-month break from the show.

"Dougie kept me very busy through my maternity leave," laughs Nadine, 30. "I take my hat off to stay-at-home mums because I was ready to go back to work. It's mentally exhausting being a mum, but the best thing ever.

"Then being a jobbing actor, I did a little stint on Casualty - which I don't think has been out yet. But I was ready to come back to familiar ground, and we're a big family at Hollyoaks."

Cleo's dramatic comeback came in Hollyoaks' stunt week, which coincided with the return of Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter).

"My first day back on set, we filmed all the McQueens fighting over a chippy tea," says Nadine. "It was like stepping back in time, like we've all just been away for five minutes. Having the family back together is rare. We're like passing ships - and obviously Chelsee (Healey, who plays Goldie McQueen) is now on maternity leave.