Jessica Plummer was so star-struck by Lacey Turner when she first joined ‘EastEnders’ she couldn’t "look her in the eye".
The 26-year-old actress was such a "fangirl" when she met the Stacey Slater actress after watching the 31-year-old star on screen for the past 15 years, and she is such a big supporter she once watched an episode featuring her and Gillian Wright (Jean Slater) five times.
Jessica – who plays Chantelle Atkins in the BBC One soap – said: "I remember when I first met Lacey Turner, and I was thinking, ‘I can’t look her in the eye.’
"I really am such a fangirl right now."
Asked who her Albert Square favourites were when she was growing up, she said: "Stacey and Jean. I remember crying my eyes out during one particular episode they featured in.
"I think it was just those two in the episode, and I watched it like five times."
Jessica is currently involved in a hard-hitting domestic abuse storyline.
Viewers recently saw Chantelle being physically abuse by her husband Gray Atkins (Toby Alexander-Smith), but Jessica insists Toby is a "sweetheart" in real life.
She added to Inside Soap magazine: "Toby is such a sweetheart, it’s lovely working with him.
"He’s so kind and easy to be with, and the majority of the scenes I shoot are with him.
"I prayed that I would get along with my on-screen husband and I really do."
Jessica recently admitted it is an "honour" to take on the plot.
She said: "I feel honoured to take on the responsibility of Chantelle’s story. This is an issue that I, and everyone at ‘EastEnders’, hope we can raise awareness of.
"Many women and men that are in Chantelle’s situation suffer in silence and we really hope that by showing this story we can highlight an issue and encourage those
in similar situations to seek the help they need."
Jessica Plummer so star-struck by Lacey Turner she couldn’t look her in the eye
