Gemma Merna has opened up on her tragic last scenes in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, as her character Carmel McQueen passed away during a dramatic train crash following a family wedding. "It's been a great 8 years and it's been amazing playing Carmel McQueen..." the 30-year-old actress revealed.
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In a special behind-the-scenes video, Gemma revealed to fans: "We just filmed Carmel's death scene but it's been lovely, it's been great to be surrounded by all the girls, and that's my last scene."
Gemma Merna (centre) spoke candidly about her last scenes
Joining Gemma in the video were her on-screen sisters, Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes McQueen), Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen), and Mandip Gill (Phoebe Porter), and her mother Myra, played by Nicole Barber-Lane.
The group started laughing through their tears when after Gemma admitted the last scene was "great", Jennifer added: "Well it's not, she can speak for herself... It's horrible, [I had] genuine tears doing it."
Gemma continued: "I've made some great friends, and thanks to all the fans, thank you so much, and carry on supporting the McQueens because they are the best family in soap."
At the 2009 Inside Soap Awards the family won Best Soap Family.
Gemma Merna played Carmel McQueen for eight years
Fans took to Twitter following the devastating scenes which aired on 11 November on E4, with one eight-year-old fan apparently so upset because she thought Gemma had died, and not her character Carmel.
Ashlee Charles's mum Delyth Jenkins wrote on Twitter to ask Gemma if she'd reassure her daughter that she was ok, tweeting: "@gemmamerna please will u tweet my daughter ashlee, shes 8 and is hysterical and won't believe me you are ok bless."
Gemma then took the time to obtain Delyth's number and call the young girl. Delyth revealed: "Gemma was so lovely. She rang Ashlee and said I'm fine, it is just because I'm leaving the show and not to be upset. Ashlee was so overwhelmed, she absolutely idolises Gemma and she was so excited to have spoken to her that she wouldn't go to sleep."