Michelle Hardwick
Emmerdale's Michelle Hardwick claims her character Vanessa Woodfield "is not a bad person".
The 36-year-old actress believes the feisty blonde - who is falling for her best friend Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) - isn't intentionally trying to destroy her pal's relationship with Paddy (Dominic Brunt), but is merely being swept away by love.
She told InsideSoap magazine: "She's not a bad person! When you're falling for someone you'll do anything to be close to them. Vanessa would never want to hurt Paddy, but she's putting her feelings for Rhona first. When you fall in love things happen."
Vanessa - who was first seen on the Dales in December 2012 - was initially confused about her feelings for Rhona - who is addicted to painkillers - and after attempting to help her kick her drug problem, found herself becoming attracted to her pal.
Michelle - who recently confirmed she is in a happy relationship with girlfriend Rosie Nicholl - explained: "Their relationship has become so intense while Vanessa's been harbouring Rhona's secrets, and she's 100 per cent committed to helping her.
"Vanessa's feelings are developing at quite a pace but they are new to her. She's not a lesbian and she doesn't think she's a lesbian. She's fighting her feelings and doesn't want to admit them."
Tagged in Dominic Brunt