Rita Simons has joined the cast of Hollyoaks in an explosive new role. But upon her arrival, Alex Fletcher admits she was awestruck by her co-star – and even a little jealous.
Alex Fletcher admits that Rita Simons’ arrival in Hollyoaks left her feeling envious – but she can’t wait to film more scenes with the former EastEnders star.
Diane Hutchinson has had the sort of 12 months you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. She’s faced divorce, relapsed into alcoholism, learned that her teenager Ro wishes to transition and dated a bent copper who turned out to be running a child exploitation ring on the side.
So it’s no wonder Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher has blocked it all out. “She’s had a traumatic year,” laughs Alex, who is celebrating her 15th year on the soap.
“I genuinely put it to bed as soon as I walk out of the studio because it would send me under. I just try and bury it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
This week sees Diane and Tony (Nick Pickard) grow closer after the stress of Ro’s court case dissipates. However, Marie (Rita Simons) is not giving up on her future with Tony without putting up a fight.
“Diane and Tony and the family have kind of pulled together as a unit again, which is a bit of a feather in Diane’s cap because she still loves him to bits,” explains Alex. “Her loyalties and her heart lie with Tony and it would be nice to work with Nick again because I’ve hardly seen him.”
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Fans will enjoy scenes where both Marie and Diane turn up in the same dress to celebrate after Ro avoids being sent to a juvenile detention centre. “That brings the family closer together again, so they celebrate and Marie and Diane turn up in the same dress,” laughs Alex.
“And Diane is like, ‘Well, I ain’t going home and getting changed love, you can go home!’ All the dynamics and blended families have been so good to explore. I think there’s going to be a lot more of that.”
Not only is Alex looking forward to being reunited with work husband Nick, she also wants more scenes with EastEnders icon Rita. “She’s brilliant,” says Alex, 48.
“Not going to lie, I was a bit jealous of her when she started. She’s so good, it’s nice to just be working in and around women of our age. Strong women. It’s fabulous.”
However, there is fresh trouble brewing for Diane: Clare Devine, played by Gemma Bissix, is coming for her. Unknown to Diane, Clare was married to DI Alistair Banks, the corrupt copper Diane had a fling with. Now he’s dead, Clare believes Diane is sitting on cash that belongs to her.
“Diane’s seemingly in a good place, though I don’t think she’s realised the backlash from DI Banks,” explains Alex. “Diane should be fearing for her life. And then, obviously, she’s also being accused of having all this cash that’s gone missing…”
Clare has been away from Hollyoaks for 12 years, but Alex is thrilled to have her back. “She’s just a great girl,” she says. “She’s a good energy – she really cares about the show and she 110% gets it.”
Before playing Diane on Hollyoaks , Alex made her name as Brookside ’s mouthy Jacqui Dixon, who married to become Jacqui Farnham. Alex loves acting but she’d also relish a stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after cheering on Nick back in 2023.
She even wants to try a witchetty grub or two. “ It’s one of my favourite shows,” says Alex. “I am at an age where I don’t really care what people think about me anymore.
I’d have a good go. I’d be scared of the water – the water things would freak me out. But I could eat the stuff and I’d be good in a team.”
However, Strictly Come Dancing is where Alex’s heart lies. The star was in the audience of the show last year to support her pal Shayne Ward and loved watching the dancers close up.
“If I had to choose, it would be Strictly all day,” she says. “I danced as a kid and I had the privilege to go and see it last year and I buzzed off seeing the dancers. I just think it’s a skill. Not that I’ve danced in 35 to 40 years.”
Alex even knows who she’d like to dance with – Aljaž Škorjanec. “I love my fitness, I would just love it, 100%. I love Aljaž Škorjanec and I met him after the show and he was just dead friendly and brilliant,” she says. “He’d be brilliant.”
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