[bbfan1991]

Hollyoaks star Nicole Barber-Lane has admitted that she is grateful for the McQueen family's recent on-screen dramas.

The soap clan have been pushed to their limits over the past few months with Carmel leaving home after suffering facial scarring and Mercedes becoming increasingly unstable in her explosive feud with Mitzeee Minniver.

Barber-Lane told PA that she feels "really lucky" to have been at the centre of the big scenes as her matriarchal character Myra tries to do what is best for the family.

The actress commented: "I think like many mothers, she tries her best. Whether her best is up to scratch is another question. She's certainly a very lenient parent, but also she would do anything for her kids, that comes before anything else.

"I'm actually a lot softer as a parent through playing her, so that's quite funny. I think, 'Oh God, I'm a worse parent than Myra!'"

She added: "I've been really lucky recently, I've had some fantastic scenes with all the girls. I really feel like Myra's sort of back, looking after the family."

Next week's Hollyoaks episodes see Myra pay a visit to Carmel in the hope that she will return home at last.