Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick on Vanessa's return storyline

Emmerdale welcomes back Vanessa Woodfield next week as part of the show's Christmas storylines.

Vanessa has been absent from our screens for well over a year, but is now returning to the show on a permanent basis as Michelle Hardwick – who plays her – is back from maternity leave.

Viewers will see Vanessa thrown straight back into the action, as she supports her sister Tracy (Amy Walsh) through an upsetting break-up and also faces tensions of her own with her ex-fiancée Charity (Emma Atkins).

Digital Spy recently caught up with Michelle to hear more about what's ahead.

How does it feel to be back on the show?

"Oh my goodness! After 19 months, it just feels like forever. Every time I saw people they were asking: 'When are you back on Emmerdale, when are you back on Emmerdale?'

"When I first walked on set, it was literally like I'd had two weeks off. It was exactly the same – apart from the Covid restrictions. I can't hug my on-screen sister in a scene and that's more challenging than you think, actually.

"I was really excited to be back. I was very nervous, I must admit. You think: 'Can you still do it? Can you still learn your lines with a little one-year-old?' But so far, so good."

Did you watch the show while you were away?

"I did a little bit. Not religiously – I've been busy and that's bath and bed time! But I absolutely loved Super Soap Week. It was fantastic – I was hooked like everyone else. I thought Paige [Sandhu, who plays Meena], Fiona [Wade, who plays Priya] and Rebecca [Sarker, who plays Manpreet] were unreal – I loved it."

What brings Vanessa back to the village?

"Initially she comes back around Christmas time – just after Christmas. She brings the Christmas presents for Tracy and Frankie. She's thinking it's just going to be a flying visit.

"Vanessa is not daft, so she is aware that Charity is with Mackenzie. Obviously her sister has kept her in the loop. A lot of time has passed and a lot of water is under the bridge.

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"What Vanessa didn't expect is that the first people she sees are Charity and Mackenzie. And not only seeing them, but seeing them declaring their undying love for each other, right in front of her.

"For me, Vanessa isn't jealous because it's been a long time. It doesn't upset her. Tracy says: 'You knew they were together, it's not a shock'. But Vanessa points out that, when she sees them in person, it's a reminder of what Charity put her through when she was going through cancer and the treatment.

"It's like: 'Wow, okay'. The first thing she sees is those two rubbing her nose in it."

We see Vanessa get involved in Tracy's split from Nate, don't we?

"Yes, she has got an involvement. It's not Vanessa's fault, but she is involved in a way. What happens does then make Vanessa stick around for her sister, as she wants to be there for her.

"Let's be honest, Tracy has been through all this with Post Natal Depression and Vanessa was still at her mum's. She still feels really guilty about that, so she wants to be there 100% for Tracy and do everything she can. She's going above and beyond to make up for the time she wasn't there."

After Nate is dumped by Tracy, there's a scene where he turns up wanting to see baby Frankie, but Vanessa turns him away. Does Vanessa think she's doing the right thing?

"Yeah, she does. I love that side of Vanessa – the little meddling side to her where she thinks she's doing the right thing. She sends Nate packing on more than one occasion. She's stopping him from not only seeing Tracy but also Frankie.

"Vanessa thinks she's protecting her sister, whereas we know that's not going to turn out well, is it? She gets a bit of a telling off from Tracy. She's not a happy bunny at all.

"Vanessa says: 'I'm only trying to protect you, I'm only trying to look out for you. I wasn't there before but I am now. I was only trying to help'. And she was."

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Vanessa also learns that Charity wants to spend time with Johnny…

"Yeah, Vanessa's not into that at all. That's because Charity has not seen Johnny for such a long time and she's trying to protect him. I know there was the adoption before Vanessa left to go and see her mum, but I don't think Vanessa thinks it's healthy for Charity to be spending so much time with Johnny.

"Obviously they're going to be seeing each other because they live in the same village, but Vanessa's not a fan. Whether that changes or not in the future, I don't know, but certainly for now she doesn't want that to happen."

Are we seeing a feistier Vanessa now?

"Without a shadow of a doubt. I always think back to when Vanessa first arrived and she was this feisty party girl. I think we lost a bit of that when she was with Charity and I'd like to see a bit of the old Vanessa back.

"I'd like her to speak her mind a bit more and not have to answer to anyone. I do think what she has been through has certainly toughened her up. So come on Vanessa!"

Have you missed Vanessa?

"Yeah – she's been with me for nine years now so you do miss your character. But as soon as you get back and get the yellow coat back and the hair in a pony, it was quite easy to hear her voice again."

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In real life, how's it going being a mum to your son Teddy?

"I'm absolutely loving it. Though Teddy must have known I had a 5.50am start this morning because he sleeps really well, apart from last night! I was in make-up at 7am with bleary eyes and had two big scenes with Amy."

How was it to see everyone at work?

"Oh, it was so good. Don't get me wrong, obviously I've seen my close friends from work when I was pregnant and then after Teddy was born – I've seen them quite a lot. But just seeing people and seeing the crew has been absolutely fantastic.

"I've been working with Amy Walsh who I adore, and Dominic Brunt [who plays Paddy] who's one of my best mates, it's just gorgeous. To get into the swing of things again and have a laugh with them – it's great."

With Amy now about to become a mum, have you shared any tips?

"All we do on set is talk about babies – I'm sure everyone is really sick of us. But as soon as I'm back she'll be going on maternity. I'm not even joking when I say we talk non-stop about it. It's just really, really exciting. There was me and Laura Norton and now Amy – it's brilliant."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.