Alex Fletcher feels like a part of her has "died" following Lauren McQueen’s ‘Hollyoaks’ exit.
The 42-year-old actress – who plays Diane Hutchinson – admits she and Lauren (Lily McQueen) had to "pretend" their final scenes together weren’t really happening, and says the 22-year-old actress’ part in the Channel 4 soap has been one of the "best things" to have happened to her on the show.
She said: "She’s come in, we’ve won two Soap Awards together. She’s been absolutely phenomenal, which makes you up your game.
"I really wish her all the luck in the world. She’s a lady, she’s beautiful, she’s probably one of the best things that’s happened storyline-wise form me.
"A bit of me feels like it’s died because she’s come in and meant that much.
"I’m really, really going to miss her, to the point where we filmed our last scene and we pretended that it hasn’t really happened because we just couldn’t go there.
"But we’re going to stay in touch."
Lauren admitted one of her ‘Hollyoaks’ highlights during her two-year stint on the show was meeting and starring alongside Alex.
She said: "One of my best and favourite things about my whole experience was that I got to meet Alex Fletcher and I got to work with her so much.
"I hope we stay in touch, because I’ve just made such a good friend."
Lauren bowed out of the soap this week when Lily died of sepsis, and while the actress was "really upset" when she first found out her character would be killed off, she knows the plot is raising awareness of such important issues.
Speaking in a behind-the-scenes video on the ‘Hollyoaks’ Twitter account, she added: "When I first found out about Lily’s exit storyline I was really upset, but at the same time I know it’s going to have a massive impact on everyone watching it.
"It’s such an important and strong message to get out there, because it’s raising awareness about the consequences of the self-harm."
Alex Fletcher pays tribute to Lauren McQueen following Hollyoaks exit
