Jennifer Metcalfe would be "very nervous" if she won a National Television Award – but it would "mean the absolute world" to her.
The ‘Hollyoaks’ actress has been named among the longlist nominations in the Best Serial Drama Performance category for her role as Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap – and she would love to scoop the prize after "12 years of working hard".
She said: "It would mean the absolute world to me to win an NTA. That stage is pretty big with some amazing names up there, so I would be very nervous, but it would mean the world to me after 12 years of working hard.
"It would be nice."
Jennifer has portrayed Mercedes in the soap since 2006 and she adores donning all the leopard print outfits her alter-ego wears – because she is such a huge fan of the style herself.
Speaking in a Q&A on the ‘Hollyoaks’ Twitter account, she said: "The best part is playing my character is that I get to wear loads of leopard print. I, like Mercedes, love leopard print."
Mercedes recently became landlady of the Dog in the Pond after Russ Owen (Stuart Manning) splashed out on the boozer for her, but she has also grown closer to her first love, Sylver McQueen (David Tag) after discovering the pub purchase was his idea.
She said: "Russ has had some making up to do, after accusing her of being a serial killer! So, he buys her The Dog In The Pond, and Mercedes is now a landlady! Russ then starts to get a bit paranoid over her close relationship with Sylver.
"She realises that it was Sylver’s idea, and that makes it so much more meaningful for her. They can’t be together, but she can feel how much he cares for her.
"They were first loves and she’s the only person he’s had any romantic connection with. Mercedes has put it to the back of her mind over the years, but now he’s living with her, it’s bringing back those memories.
"She is trying to convince herself that Russ is the right one, and Sylver’s not an option."
Jennifer Metcalfe’s NTA nerves
