Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw discusses fan response to Juliet's emotional story

 "I just want to do it right for everybody watching."

Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw has opened up on the fan response to her emotional cancer storyline.

The actress, who plays Juliet Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap, said the reaction has been "amazing" and that she just wants "to do it right".

Speaking about acting out the story, Niamh told Inside Soap magazine: "There have been times when it's been really hard, emotionally. I just want to do it right for everybody watching."

On how viewers have reacted to Juliet's story, Niamh added: "Juliet isn't real – but she's representative of something that is very real.

"So many people have come up to me to tell me their stories, which is amazing. I'm enjoying the story, despite how sad it is."

Juliet returned to the village this week after spending time in Birmingham where she was due to have her stem-cell transplant. However, the treatment was unable to happen because Juliet had a kidney infection.

On why Juliet decides to keep this a secret from her family, Niamh said: "Juliet's really worried about her family at the minute. She just doesn't want to add to that tension. It's not as if she's never going to tell them, she just wants to wait until the right time."

Juliet's main concern is for her mum, who is struggling after relapsing. "She does feel responsible, because of how emotionally intense her cancer battle has been," Niamh added. "Juliet thinks that if she was well, maybe her mum wouldn't be in such despair that she would need to relapse.

"Juliet's the glue holding her family together, even if they don't know it, and she's really worried about all of them."

Scenes next week will see Peri respect her girlfriend's decision not to tell her family about the stem cell treatment. However, she worries when she finds out that Juliet has risked her health by leaving the house and mixing with people.

Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.