HOLLYOAKS legend Nicole Barber-Lane’s dramatic return to the soap was so secret that she couldn’t even tell her friends and family.
Popular Nicole, who plays McQueen matriarch Myra, left the soap five years ago after more than 13 years in the role but was persuaded to come back for tonight’s explosive episode, which has huge repercussions for a number of characters.
As viewers saw, Nicole's much-loved character was travelling with family members Theresa and Cleo, when they were involved in the multiple car crash.
Actresses Jorgie Porter and Nadine Mulkerrin also made their dramatic return to the soap tonight after both being off on maternity leave.
But as Myra emerged from the mangled wreckage, to her horror, she saw that daughter Mercedes, actress Jennifer Metcalfe, had been pulled unconscious from another of the vehicles, leaving her in pieces.
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In an exclusive interview with The Sun Online Nicole said: “That moment when I see Mercedes laying on the ground, I was back to being Myra. That fierce and protective mamma bear that she’s always been and I felt it.
“We filmed the stunt week at the end of November and I stayed until the beginning of December to finish off.
“I’ve had to keep quiet about it for all these weeks! We wanted the viewers to get that shock and surprise when they realise who is in the other car.
“It’s nice to feel so much love from everyone and there’s such a buzz around the place.
“Me, Jorgie and Nadine were in absolute hysterics, we just did not stop laughing. They were both back from having babies and we had such a brilliant catch up. Jen is always great and like I said those scenes were so emotional to do, but that’s when Myra is at her best, when her family need her.”
As well as catching up with her McQueen family, Nicole admitted that she couldn’t help fan-girling over actress Glynis Barber, who plays Norma Crow in the E4 soap.
Nicole was a massive fan of 1980s cop drama Dempsey and Makepeace - and her famous fringe.
She said: “I just could not help myself. I was screaming and not being cool at all. I absolutely loved her in Dempsey and Makepeace, her fringe, I’m still trying to do it like hers even now.
“I went up to her and was like, hello, can I please have a photograph? Then we did this scene together and I didn’t move, I was still just stood there.”
During her time away from Hollyoaks Nicole starred as Susie in the Shane Meadows book adaptation of Gallows Pole for BBC One.
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She has also appeared in cameo roles for Coronation Street and Doctors.
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Nicole said: “I’m just waiting on EastEnders to give me a call now! Corrie was great. It was just a little cameo with Claire Sweeney and Alan Halsall but I loved working with them both.
“EastEnders is the one I’ve never done, and I love doing a southern accent, just putting it out there into the universe.”
