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ONE of the stars of Emmerdale has confirmed that her nine-year-old son has landed a role in a major film.

Paula Lane, 38, joined the long-running ITV soap at the beginning of this year playing the role of Ella Forster.

Paula Lane is known for her roles in Emmerdale and Coronation Street
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Paula Lane is known for her roles in Emmerdale and Coronation StreetCredit: ITV
She shares two children with her husband Tom Shaw (left)
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She shares two children with her husband Tom Shaw (left)Credit: instagram/@paula_laney
Their young son Arthur landed a role on a huge horror film with Matt Smith
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Their young son Arthur landed a role on a huge horror film with Matt SmithCredit: Getty

The actress shot to fame after she played the role of Kylie Platt on Coronation Street.

She met her husband Tom at the tender age of 17 when they were both young aspiring actors.

Like his wife, he also had roles on both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, and it seems their talent has transferred to the next generation.

The duo share two children, Arthur, nine, and Penny, eight, who are both enrolled in the drama school they run together, the Lane Shaw Academy.

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And she revealed that her eldest child has landed a role in a huge new horror movie, Starve Acre, that's due to be released in September.

Arthur worked with A-list stars such as former Doctor Who and House Of The Dragon star, Matt Smith and the actress admitted that he enjoyed his time on set.

"It was a big leap for any child to be thrust onto a feature film set with these actors that were very, very famous," she admitted.

"We will see where it goes, bless him, though he takes everything in his stride. He’s gone to his football camp today with his sister, and we try not to get too fixated on making that decision for him.

"I want him to really decide if acting is what he wants to do. And equally for our daughter Penny as well."

She added: "Because if it’s just dipping their toes, then that’s absolutely fine as well. I don’t want them to feel too much pressure at this stage."

Coronation Street's Kylie Platt's best moments

Despite the pressures, Paula confirmed that she and her husband are both encouraging of the young tot to pursue the craft.

After they found out about this huge casting call in their local area, she was determined to prepare her son as acting was "in his blood".

"Tom has been an actor from being 17 when I first met him, and that’s been our life together. Then obviously, we’ve had the children," she explained.

"About two years ago, we got wind of this open casting call. They were after a Yorkshire boy aged between, I think, five and seven.

We just couldn’t believe it, we were in shock. Then the parent side of you kicks in and you say to yourself, ‘Oh, my God, do we actually want him to do this?’"

Paula Lane

"And it was in every café, every restaurant, everybody knew about it. So I just said, ‘Come on, let’s put him up for it.’ He has it in his blood, he’s a brilliant performer. His delivery is just fantastic."

She added: "So he went up for it and then there was a recall, and then a final recall and he ended up getting the bloomin’ role!

"We just couldn’t believe it, we were in shock. Then the parent side of you kicks in and you say to yourself, ‘Oh, my God, do we actually want him to do this?’"

Meanwhile, Paula is embarking on her most emotional storyline yet as her character will soon have a silent miscarriage with devastating repercussions.

But the soap star wants to start conversations around the subject and is nothing but proud of her work.

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"One in four pregnancies results in a miscarriage so to raise awareness is important,

"I wanted to do justice to it for women out there and for their partners as well because it does happen to people, and unfortunately not everyone does have their happy ending. It’s an awful situation to be in and I wanted to play that and do that justice."

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEndersEmmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

  • EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
  • Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
  • Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first make rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
  • Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.
  • She runs a drama school with her fellow actor husband, Tom Shaw
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    She runs a drama school with her fellow actor husband, Tom ShawCredit: Instagram
    The star is about to embark on her most emotional storyline yet
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    The star is about to embark on her most emotional storyline yetCredit: ITV
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