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'Hollyoaks' Anna Shaffer talks Ruby, Jono and Esther - interview

Hollyoaks sixth former Ruby Button has busy times ahead on screen in the coming days as the build-up to her upcoming wedding storyline begins.

When Ruby reunites with fellow student Martin 'Jono' Johnson (Dylan Llewellyn) next week, their reignited relationship develops quickly - culminating in a surprise proposal.

As well as the romance plot, Ruby continues to be a key player in the soap's ongoing teen bullying storyline, failing to support Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks) as her ordeal gets worse.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Anna Shaffer, who plays Ruby, to hear her thoughts on the latest dramas for her character.

How does Ruby and Jono's reunion come about?
"Well, when Jono decides that he wants to join the army, Ruby realises that she still has really strong feelings for him, but she doesn't know how to make him stay. But they end up getting back together after Maddie suggests it to Ruby. Maddie thinks Jono would definitely have a reason to stay if he and Ruby were back together.

"After that, Ruby tells Jono how she feels and he says that he feels the same way. Unfortunately though, he still wants to go off and join the army."

They've had various ups and downs, but do you think Ruby and Jono are actually a good match?
"I think they are a good match, but their relationship hasn't really worked before, because they've both been affected by what other people think. They've been a bit shy, nervous and too reluctant to show their true feelings.

"This time it's a much more honest relationship. You'll see them much more openly happily together as a couple."

A lot of our readers were quite angry on Ruby's behalf when Jono treated her badly earlier in the year. Do you wish she'd stood up for herself more?
"Definitely! When we were doing all those scenes, I was thinking, 'Come on Ruby, stand up for yourself - this is ridiculous!' But I could also relate to it because sometimes when you really like somebody and you want them to like you back, you're willing to accept any mistakes they make."

We know that Jono proposes with a Haribo ring next week! Does Ruby find that romantic?
"I think, bless her, Ruby is very naïve so she does find it romantic! She knows that they're very young, but she takes the Haribo ring to be a symbol of his commitment. She's very happy about it."

Jono still seems committed to joining the army, though. Is Ruby surprised that he's so interested in this idea?
"Yeah, I think she's definitely surprised because it's not anything that he's mentioned before. Jono has always been very happy to hang out with Bart, who is becoming quite lazy and much more interested in smoking weed. Jono doesn't want to turn out like Bart, but it does come as a complete shock to Ruby."

You're also quite heavily involved in Esther's bullying storyline at the moment. How do you feel about being part of that story?
"It's a great thing to be a part of, because it is such an important issue. Bullying is something that happens so often, so I think people have to constantly be aware of it.

"I think anyone can relate to bullying in some way - we all know a bully, and probably quite a few of us have been a bully at some point in our lives too. So it's great that we get a chance to tackle that issue through the storytelling on the show."

Given that they share a home, why doesn't Ruby defend Esther more?
"I think Ruby is still really stuck in that place where she's so desperate to be with the cool kids. That's especially the case once she gets back with Jono. The one thing she fears will rock the bond that she's got with Sinead, Maddie and the rest of the guys is her relationship with Esther.

"Ruby knows how they all feel about Esther, so she is torn and she does act quite badly, because she doesn't stand up to them. She wishes she could, but ultimately she cares about what other people think rather than what she thinks herself."

Do you find that frustrating when you're playing Ruby?
"I do find it really hard sometimes, especially because myself and Jazmine are such good friends in real life. I go into work thinking, 'Oh no, I don't want to be mean to Jazmine today!' But for the purposes of the story, it's important to just get on with it and do your job properly.

"I think Ruby's character is an interesting one, because she's very easily manipulated and she is very naïve. Sinead and Maddie are being bitchy and mean, but I think what Ruby is doing is almost worse because she's letting it happen and not standing up to them."

A lot of viewers seem to be waiting for the moment where Ruby changes sides and supports Esther. Do you think that could happen?
"I think it could happen, but it's so hard with Ruby because she always wants to fit in, whereas Esther is much more comfortable not fitting in. I'd definitely like to see that happen, but I don't know if it will!"

The sixth formers play a horrible prank on Esther next week which terrifies her. How involved is Ruby in that?
"In this case, it's more that she doesn't stop it from happening, rather than it being something that she's actively created with the other girls. She's much more reluctant to go along with it, but she does. Again, I think that's just as bad because the end result is still the same - Esther is really upset and continues to get bullied by everyone else.

"Ruby feels really, really guilty about it, but once again she feels torn. She can't appear to be guilty in front of the other girls because they don't share the same feeling."

Ruby started out as a bitchy character, then we saw a nicer side and now she seems to be getting nastier again! Which do you prefer playing?
"It's hard to pick, really. It is fun to play a bitchy character because you can be a bit more outrageous than you can be in your usual life! But I also definitely liked exploring the more vulnerable side to Ruby.

"Now it's a bit more frustrating because I'm thinking, 'Ruby, you were in exactly the same position that Esther was in and now you're treating her like everyone treated you!' But I think that can sometimes be what it's like when you're young - Ruby's part in the storyline is being young and naïve. Deep down inside, I think Ruby is still a good person."

Are you involved in the online initiative that Hollyoaks have created for the bullying storyline?
"Yes, we've all been doing the online stuff, which will be filtering into the show. That's really exciting as it's something completely different, and it's a good way for the younger generation to explore the bullying story further."

Do people ever confuse you with your character and expect you to be nasty?
"I think people do that all the time, actually! I guess it's almost a compliment if you play a bitchy character and people think you're really horrible, because then you're doing your job right. But I do get that sometimes - people say, 'Oh you're not bad, are you?' and I say, 'No, I'm not!'"

In real life, you're housemates with Jorgie Porter. What is she like to live with?
"She's great to live with - she has got so much energy. We always watch TV together and eat popcorn. We're obsessed with making popcorn at the moment! It's a very girly, messy house so whenever people come round they're usually shocked by how messy we are! But apart from that it's lovely!"