Skip Channel4 main Navigation
EMMA RIGBY
How old were you when you first decided you wanted to become an actress?
I think I wanted to act from the age of about three! I've always loved acting and I've always been the kind of person who you just can't shut up, so I think that it's great that I get to act - non-stop talking.
How old were you when you first decided you wanted to become an actress?
I think I wanted to act from the age of about three! I've always loved acting and I've always been the kind of person who you just can't shut up, so I think that it's great that I get to act - non-stop talking.
Are you anything like your character in real life?
No I'm nothing at all like my character. We're completely different, but I really enjoy playing somebody who's so different to me.
No I'm nothing at all like my character. We're completely different, but I really enjoy playing somebody who's so different to me.
Has it been difficult playing someone who suffers from anorexia?
It has been quite a challenging role to play, because I’m not an expert on the topic. But I've done a lot of research to make sure I do the best job that I can. I've found it quite enjoyable in some respects though, because it's been great for me as an actor to have something I can get my teeth into performance-wise.
It has been quite a challenging role to play, because I’m not an expert on the topic. But I've done a lot of research to make sure I do the best job that I can. I've found it quite enjoyable in some respects though, because it's been great for me as an actor to have something I can get my teeth into performance-wise.
Have you found it hard tackling such a serious issue?
Yes it's been quite tough, especially with some of the scenes that have occurred such as Melissa's death, when Hannah is force-fed, and things like that. It has been challenging. Often I've come off set and felt really upset and sad because the scenes are quite distressing.
Yes it's been quite tough, especially with some of the scenes that have occurred such as Melissa's death, when Hannah is force-fed, and things like that. It has been challenging. Often I've come off set and felt really upset and sad because the scenes are quite distressing.
What do you do to switch off when you get home?
I usually switch off by going to the gym and becoming motivated because exercise makes you happy anyway. Or sometimes I just read a book and get an early night.
I usually switch off by going to the gym and becoming motivated because exercise makes you happy anyway. Or sometimes I just read a book and get an early night.
How has it been filming the episodes for this storyline? What have you found the most challenging?
The most challenging - or should I say the most upsetting - was probably the episode after Melissa's death when I was having scenes where Hannah thought that Melissa was still alive, and also when I was explaining to Nancy and Sarah why I was anorexic. I found those scenes really upsetting because I could imagine some people going through that. Suffering with anorexia and feeling that unhappy with themselves and that depressed that they have no one to turn to that that's what they feel like.
The most challenging - or should I say the most upsetting - was probably the episode after Melissa's death when I was having scenes where Hannah thought that Melissa was still alive, and also when I was explaining to Nancy and Sarah why I was anorexic. I found those scenes really upsetting because I could imagine some people going through that. Suffering with anorexia and feeling that unhappy with themselves and that depressed that they have no one to turn to that that's what they feel like.
How did you get yourself into that frame of mind?
The script was fantastic and reading through the script made me upset anyway, and when I'm doing upsetting scenes I tend to think about things that make me upset and that I feel sad about and I use that emotion to do the scene.
The script was fantastic and reading through the script made me upset anyway, and when I'm doing upsetting scenes I tend to think about things that make me upset and that I feel sad about and I use that emotion to do the scene.
Did you have to research into eating disorders before you started filming?
Yes I definitely did. I researched on the internet, had meetings with the Eating Disorder Association, and read several memoirs of people who'd suffered with anorexia.
Yes I definitely did. I researched on the internet, had meetings with the Eating Disorder Association, and read several memoirs of people who'd suffered with anorexia.
Have you ever known anyone with an eating disorder?
Yes, some friends of mine suffered with anorexia and have now recovered so I've learnt from that experience and obviously a lot of people do know somebody that's suffered and I think that's something to take into account, how common it is. It's not something that happens to a minority it happens loads - one million people suffer from an eating disorder in the UK alone.
Yes, some friends of mine suffered with anorexia and have now recovered so I've learnt from that experience and obviously a lot of people do know somebody that's suffered and I think that's something to take into account, how common it is. It's not something that happens to a minority it happens loads - one million people suffer from an eating disorder in the UK alone.
What advice would you give Hannah if you were the only person that she confided in about her eating disorder?
If Hannah confided in me about her eating disorder I’d have listened to her, because I think that's what people who suffer from the illness want, somebody to listen. I'd have taken into account how she feels but rather than tell her to starve herself as Melissa did, I would suggest that she gets professional help and encourage her to go to a doctor or call a helpline and try to think of solutions to help her stop feeling this way. But I think the best advice you can give is to get help and not to suffer in silence and not to be ashamed about the problem. And one of the things I'd have done with Hannah is make sure she admits that she has an eating disorder, rather than thinking it's normal to feel like this about food.
If Hannah confided in me about her eating disorder I’d have listened to her, because I think that's what people who suffer from the illness want, somebody to listen. I'd have taken into account how she feels but rather than tell her to starve herself as Melissa did, I would suggest that she gets professional help and encourage her to go to a doctor or call a helpline and try to think of solutions to help her stop feeling this way. But I think the best advice you can give is to get help and not to suffer in silence and not to be ashamed about the problem. And one of the things I'd have done with Hannah is make sure she admits that she has an eating disorder, rather than thinking it's normal to feel like this about food.
Did you have to lose weight to play the part or is it all make-up and effects?
No I didn't have to lose any weight to play the part, it's all make-up and effects. I have to sit through one and a half hours of make-up every morning and obviously there's lots of shading on my body and my face. I was never told to lose weight and never felt any pressure to lose weight. Also some of the clothes were baggy.
No I didn't have to lose any weight to play the part, it's all make-up and effects. I have to sit through one and a half hours of make-up every morning and obviously there's lots of shading on my body and my face. I was never told to lose weight and never felt any pressure to lose weight. Also some of the clothes were baggy.
Did you mind wearing all that make-up?
No I didn't mind. Everyone would look at me and think 'oh my gosh you look absolutely awful' and say 'I couldn't do that' but to be honest it was fine because I was playing a part and your not really supposed to be yourself. The make-up did irritate my skin a bit and it was a great relief at the end of the day when I could take it off!
No I didn't mind. Everyone would look at me and think 'oh my gosh you look absolutely awful' and say 'I couldn't do that' but to be honest it was fine because I was playing a part and your not really supposed to be yourself. The make-up did irritate my skin a bit and it was a great relief at the end of the day when I could take it off!
Are you concerned about your weight and food intake in real life?
I think as a young girl, I mean I'm only 17, and being in this industry where everything's about the way you look, I do feel a lot of pressure to look a certain way and worry about what I eat but I do try and eat healthily to make sure that I look the best that I can because I'm more concerned about having nice skin and nice hair, and you can't have that if your starving yourself.
I think as a young girl, I mean I'm only 17, and being in this industry where everything's about the way you look, I do feel a lot of pressure to look a certain way and worry about what I eat but I do try and eat healthily to make sure that I look the best that I can because I'm more concerned about having nice skin and nice hair, and you can't have that if your starving yourself.
Has playing your character made you more aware of eating disorders?
Well personally I was quite aware of eating disorders anyway because I'm a dancer and I've had experience with friends of mine, but it has made me more aware and has scared me. If I ever thought about going on an extreme diet like that, I wouldn't because I understand the effects through the research that I've done and it's upset me and made me very conscious of falling into that trap.
Well personally I was quite aware of eating disorders anyway because I'm a dancer and I've had experience with friends of mine, but it has made me more aware and has scared me. If I ever thought about going on an extreme diet like that, I wouldn't because I understand the effects through the research that I've done and it's upset me and made me very conscious of falling into that trap.
What kind of reaction have you had from viewers about the storyline?
I've had a great reaction from the viewers, that's one thing that I'm really pleased about. I was reading an email the other day from a person who suffered from anorexia all through their teenage years amd they are 24 now and have recovered. She was saying how realistic the character Hannah was as an anorexic and I found that really encouraging and I’m glad it was received in that way.
I've had a great reaction from the viewers, that's one thing that I'm really pleased about. I was reading an email the other day from a person who suffered from anorexia all through their teenage years amd they are 24 now and have recovered. She was saying how realistic the character Hannah was as an anorexic and I found that really encouraging and I’m glad it was received in that way.
We never wanted to glamourise the issue of anorexia, and we showed the devastating effects. Hannah was depressed all the time, she looks physically awful, and her friend with the same illness actually died so we’ve shown the seriousness of the illness.
Are you happy that you had the chance to promote awareness of anorexia, and do you think the storyline will make a difference?
I was so honoured to be able to play the part, I was really pleased. I've got to say a big thank you to all the producers and things like that. However I couldn't say that the storyline will have a massive effect because there's only really so much we can do. In raising awareness of the issue I would like to think that we've done a good job because we've shown the audience the real anorexia and all the problems that come with it, which allows the audience to perhaps understand the illness a lot more. It also might have helped people who are suffering with the illness to get help, or for people to spot the signs of the illness if somebody they know is suffering.
I was so honoured to be able to play the part, I was really pleased. I've got to say a big thank you to all the producers and things like that. However I couldn't say that the storyline will have a massive effect because there's only really so much we can do. In raising awareness of the issue I would like to think that we've done a good job because we've shown the audience the real anorexia and all the problems that come with it, which allows the audience to perhaps understand the illness a lot more. It also might have helped people who are suffering with the illness to get help, or for people to spot the signs of the illness if somebody they know is suffering.
What did you learn from doing this story?
I learnt a few things actually. I learnt that you need to be happy with yourself, and that you should be more aware of other people's feelings and think about what other people are going through because I know it's hard to understand sometimes why somebody does something, like Josh said 'I don't understand, why can't she just eat?' but it’s not as simple as that. We have to be tolerant of other people and remember that it's not a way, it’'s not a choice. They're psychologically ill when they have anorexia.
I learnt a few things actually. I learnt that you need to be happy with yourself, and that you should be more aware of other people's feelings and think about what other people are going through because I know it's hard to understand sometimes why somebody does something, like Josh said 'I don't understand, why can't she just eat?' but it’s not as simple as that. We have to be tolerant of other people and remember that it's not a way, it’'s not a choice. They're psychologically ill when they have anorexia.
If you ever got asked to shave your hair (like Britney Spears) for a storyline, would you do it?
Well, for a storyline in HOLLYOAKS maybe not! Mind you if I was going to do a film and they said you have to shave your head for the role I would. So HOLLYOAKS no, but Hollywood yes!
Well, for a storyline in HOLLYOAKS maybe not! Mind you if I was going to do a film and they said you have to shave your head for the role I would. So HOLLYOAKS no, but Hollywood yes!
Who is your best friend out of the cast and why?
Oooh, I wouldn't say I have one best friend in the cast, I have a lot of good friends. I'm particularly good friends with Roxy who plays Louise, she's a great laugh and a really lovely girl. I've also become really friendly with Carla who plays Melissa because we were working so close together and had a good giggle on set. I really miss her now that she's not here. She comes from London so she's gone to live back there but we still keep in touch and we went on holiday a few weeks ago together so that was nice. We went to Marbella for a week, it was really good. Then Roxy came out for a few days so we met up with her which was nice.
Oooh, I wouldn't say I have one best friend in the cast, I have a lot of good friends. I'm particularly good friends with Roxy who plays Louise, she's a great laugh and a really lovely girl. I've also become really friendly with Carla who plays Melissa because we were working so close together and had a good giggle on set. I really miss her now that she's not here. She comes from London so she's gone to live back there but we still keep in touch and we went on holiday a few weeks ago together so that was nice. We went to Marbella for a week, it was really good. Then Roxy came out for a few days so we met up with her which was nice.
I also get on with Hannah (Katy), Jess (Nancy) and Loui (Sarah) – well, all the cast really!
Are there any of the cast that you fancy or have already dated?
No I'm not dating any of the cast! It's weird because when you work with someone you don't tend to fancy them. They're all gorgeous and if I wasn't in the show I'd probably like to date all of them!
No I'm not dating any of the cast! It's weird because when you work with someone you don't tend to fancy them. They're all gorgeous and if I wasn't in the show I'd probably like to date all of them!
A lot of people email in all the time asking for tips on how to get a job in a show like HOLLYOAKS. Do you have any advice about how to get into acting?
It's so easy to get into things like this, all you have to do is be motivated. I think first of all you need to start taking drama classes, get as much experience as you can in a local dramatics society or at school. School plays is a great way of building up your confidence, and then try and get into an agency. By getting an agent you can then go for auditions such as HOLLYOAKS and other soaps and other TV things.
It's so easy to get into things like this, all you have to do is be motivated. I think first of all you need to start taking drama classes, get as much experience as you can in a local dramatics society or at school. School plays is a great way of building up your confidence, and then try and get into an agency. By getting an agent you can then go for auditions such as HOLLYOAKS and other soaps and other TV things.
If you gave up acting, which career would you choose?
When I was younger I used to want to be a pathologist, but now the idea of University doesn't appeal to me. But I would quite like to be a writer, I'm really into creative writing.
When I was younger I used to want to be a pathologist, but now the idea of University doesn't appeal to me. But I would quite like to be a writer, I'm really into creative writing.
Any other plans?
I'm in HOLLYOAKS for a bit now, but eventually I'd love to do films. I love the idea of having loads of different roles and playing a part where you have to change dramatically and have a different accent or something. Because when you're playing a character in a soap you play the same person all the time, so although my character's gone through a lot of changes, I'm still Hannah.
I'm in HOLLYOAKS for a bit now, but eventually I'd love to do films. I love the idea of having loads of different roles and playing a part where you have to change dramatically and have a different accent or something. Because when you're playing a character in a soap you play the same person all the time, so although my character's gone through a lot of changes, I'm still Hannah.
