Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe reveals the sad real-life connection to character Mercedes McQueen's bowel cancer storyline By Bethan Edwards For Mailonline Published: 20:38 EDT, 16 September 2024 | Updated: 20:49 EDT, 16 September 2024 e-mail View comments Jennifer Metcalfe has revealed the heartbreaking real-life connection she has to Hollyoaks character Mercedes McQueen's new bowel cancer storyline. The actress, who has played Mercedes in the Channel 4 soap since 2006, is taking on the new challenging storyline battling cancer as a new mum after the time jump. Jennifer has revealed it has been tough filming the emotional scenes as her dad Colin died when she was just 15 after suffering from the disease.
Speaking to The Sun , she said: 'My dad died of bowel cancer when I was 15 so I lived through it with him, which is why I wanted to do this storyline as well. 'You can get some people that go, "I can't do that because I went through that and I don't want to tap into that". I've never grieved for my dad.
That's like pure grief what we watched there. Pure therapy and the rest of it.' Jennifer Metcalfe has revealed the heartbreaking real-life connection she has to Hollyoaks character Mercedes McQueen's new bowel cancer storyline The actress, who has played Mercedes in the Channel 4 soap since 2006, is taking on the new challenging storyline battling cancer as a new mum after the time jump Jennifer said she wanted to be 'challenged' by the new storyline and has worked closely with Bowel Cancer UK.
She added: 'I think it's important that we don't take today for granted. What's beautiful about the jump forward, and I'm so glad they've done it like that as well, like the year jump, is that you see people in love a year later. Now they're not in love.
You see people with full health, that's deteriorated. People that have had everything financially, it can go. 'So it just makes me feel really aware of, you can't take for granted a year time, a day time, and I think that will be quite powerful for the audience to see as well.
' While filming the upcoming scenes, Jennifer undergoes a transformation as Mercedes as she goes through chemo treatment and has to wear a bald cap. In hard hitting episodes, Mercedes will be told that there is a shortage of the chemotherapy drug that doctors would ideally prescribe her - putting her life at risk. While filming, Jennifer also revealed that she found herself getting teary eyed because she felt sad for 'women with cancer' who have lost their hair.
Last week Hollyoaks kicked off their new major scheduling shake-up as it will go down from five to just three episodes per week. It's set to take a year-long time jump, with 20 cast members sadly being axed due to the ongoing Channel 4 cuts. The channel said that they were making the change because it is the 'optimum pattern to keep heartland audiences hooked and attract new ones in a highly saturated content market' based on Channel 4 data.
Jennifer has revealed it has been tough filming the emotional scenes as her dad Colin died when she was just 15 after suffering from the disease She said: 'You can get some people that go, "I can't do that because I went through that and I don't want to tap into that". I've never grieved for my dad. That's like pure grief what we watched there.
Pure therapy and the rest of it' They claim that their research shows that most regular soap viewers watch an average of three episodes per week. MDs of Lime Pictures, Kate Little and Claire Poyser, said: 'Given the success of the new streaming-first model, we are delighted that Hollyoaks remains at the forefront of Channel 4's digital first strategy, bringing authentic, unexpected and untold stories that inspire younger audiences in a way that they want to consume them. 'Evidently there are implications that will mean we have to reshape Hollyoaks' production model and amidst the buoying news for the future of the show and its audience, we must also acknowledge that a reduction in cast and crew, will be very difficult and we will support everyone in that process.
' The budget cuts have forced Channel 4 bosses to carry out a mass axing of cast and crew. Hollyoaks TV Shows Soaps Jennifer Metcalfe Share or comment on this article: Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe reveals the sad real-life connection to character Mercedes McQueen's bowel cancer storyline e-mail Add comment.
