Hollyoaks star Ela-May Demircan addresses change in Leah's storylines

 "I'm excited every time I read the scripts."

Hollyoaks star Ela-May Demircan has opened up about the changes in her character Leah Barnes' storylines, as she grows into her rebellious teenage years.

In an upcoming episode, Leah gets drunk at Charlie's house party and after a few too many passes out. Mason Chen-Williams, who is being manipulated by misogynist Eric Foster, takes a picture of Leah when she's unconscious and uploads it to the Mens First chat.

Although humiliating for Leah, Demircan reveals that it has been thrilling getting to explore some more mature themes on the show.

Speaking to Inside Soap about her characters new direction, Demircan said: "[I'm] so excited! I've grown up alongside Leah, and getting to act out this new, rebellious side of her is so much fun. I'm excited every time I read the scripts."

The actress also revealed that Leah hasn't learnt her lesson from the incident and teased that there is more trouble on the horizon. She added: "Leah and her friends definitely aren't going to start behaving now. I think, if anything, they're only going to get themselves into more trouble. "

While Demircan believes that Leah is invincible and that she won't be talked out of her new behaviours, she also revealed that her character is left ashamed by her actions and about how everyone now perceives her including her father, Ste.

She continued: "He's disappointed. Leah and Ste have already had conversations about making the right choices, especially when it comes to drinking, and it's as if she's ignored everything they talked about."

"But," she adds, "he also reminds her that this will eventually all blow over and become last week's chippy paper."