Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe confirms she’s staying in soap after becoming a mum

HOLLYOAKS’ Jennifer Metcalfe has confirmed her wishes to stay with the soap after becoming a mum.

The actress, 37, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 show, revealed she has no plans to leave and that motherhood has actually given her a new love for her job.

It comes after Jen sparked fears she had quit the soap from posting a cryptic message on Instagram with a photo of a closed door and the caption "It's a wrap."

But the star said: “I’ve been at Hollyoaks for 15 years, we just celebrated our 25th anniversary last year so to spend over half of Hollyoaks’ living life there, I’m pretty chuffed with that.

“Hollyoaks is that kind of place where people are coming and going all the time, you make gorgeous friends and you know you’re going to see them after if they want to leave and it’s the right decision for them.

“I don’t feel heavy with any of that, I love my job. I just think if you’re in England and you want to work every day and you’re an actor, what can you do other than a soap?

“I love my character, I absolutely love her, and there’s no one I’d rather be for a few hours every day to escape myself, it’s been so much fun.

“It’s crazy when you stop and take a breath, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love it there. It’s like, ‘You pay me to do what I love?’ It doesn’t feel like work.

“I feel lucky and privileged to play a character like this.”

Jennifer has played the role of Mercedes in Hollyoaks since 2006.

She gave birth to son Daye in June 2017 who she shares with her ex-partner, Geordie Shore star Greg Lake.

But the mum-of-one said having Daye gave her an “extra new love” for her job.

Speaking on Sunday's episode of , she said: “I found an extra new love for my job, and I didn’t think I could love it anymore, since having my little boy.

“I think before I had him, I’ve always loved my job, you’d go out, socialise with your friends after work.

“Now because I don’t get to go out all the time, you’re a bit tired, your work becomes your social life, your everything.

“It becomes your little bit of time for you as an adult. I honestly think going to work is like having a day off, having a bit of a break.

“But then when I do go into work I can’t wait to pick him up from nursery. I love it. I feel very privileged.”