Michelle Hardwick didn't realise how much she missed 'Emmerdale' while away on maternity leave.
Michelle Hardwick welcomed baby Betty in November 2022 and has now returned to work at 'Emmerdale'
The 47-year-old actress has played Vanessa Woodfield on the ITV1 soap opera since 2012 but took time out to welcome baby Betty with wife Kate Brooks – who also serves as the show's producer – in November 2022 and relished in the chance to go back to work even though she worried about not being able to remember her lines.
She told this week's edition of Inside Soap magazine: "It’s fabulous. I never realised how much I missed the place! It also means I can finish a hot cup of tea and go to the toilet on my own without hearing the word 'Mummy!'
"It feels as though I’ve never been away.
"I was worried about not being able to learn lines – but luckily they have gone back in, thank goodness!"
The soap star – who also has three-year-old Teddy with Kate – was written out of the show when her character headed to Canada following her split from Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough) but managed to keep up with the serial before making a surprise return to screens earlier this month as she recalled being emotionally moved when teenager Heath Hope(Sebastian Dowling) was killed in a car crash over the New Year period.
She said: "I did manage to dip in and out. I cried my eyes out at Tony Audenshaw’s (Bob) performance when Heath died. I thought Tony, Susan Cookson (Wendy) and lovely little Gabby (Dowling, who plays Cathy) and the rest of the kids – and Lesley Dunlop (Brenda) – played a blinder. It was absolutely wonderful. They were really powerful episodes to watch!"
Michelle first announced that she and Kate had become parents for the second time with an Instagram post towards the end of 2022.
She wrote: "Introducing Betty Brooks to the world! Betty made a cheeky early appearance on Tuesday 15th November weighing 5lb 10ozs. We all love you so much our beautiful Betty B."
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