Jorgie Porter talks about reality TV, living in Los Angeles, why she left Hollyoaks and how much she's loving panto

Former Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter - AKA Theresa McQueen - tells us about her life after soap and how she is loving being in panto in Liverpool…

You’ve been playing Snow White in panto, Jorgie. How’s it going? “Incredible. It’s my first time doing panto and I just love it. In fact, I’m always early arriving at the theatre because I love it so much and I’m so eager. It’s a fantastic production, the people are great and I’m so enjoying acting, singing and dancing on stage.”

Do you fancy doing a musical next? “Maybe. I’m interested in whatever comes my way. The right thing will turn up at the right time. I never turn my nose up at anything.”

You were in I’m a Celebrity… in 2015. Would you do more reality TV? “That would depend on what it was. I enjoy watching reality shows and being in them, but I hate watching me as myself on telly. It makes me cringe. I much prefer watching myself acting a part.”

Do you miss Hollyoaks? “I miss the people, but I played Theresa McQueen for eight years and I was ready to do new things and take on new challenges. I have no regrets about leaving. I don’t do regrets. If you dwell on regrets, how can you live your life and move on? ”

You have been living in Los Angeles off and on. Will you be going back in the New Year? “I might. It depends what happens after the panto. I  love the sunshine and the lifestyle out there. I do lots of acting classes when I’m there and it’s refreshing to just be myself.”

Is there anything you miss about home? “I don’t get homesick much. I left home when I was only 16, so I’m used to being independent and just getting on with things. What I do miss when I’m in LA is Marks & Spencer – especially all the delicious treats you can buy from there.”

But who is Zack cheating on Theresa with?

Zack can't keep his eyes off sexy lover, Theresa. But will Zack's 'sister', Lisa, ruin everything?

Zack and Theresa are caught in the act, when they get passionate at the Tug Boat!

Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter aka Theresa McQueen has decided to leave the C4 soap to try her luck at a career in Hollywood.

The 27 year old, who has played Theresa for seven years, will leave the show at the end of the year, following in the footsteps of other British soap stars – such as EastEnders' Ben Hardy and former Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle – who have found success stateside.

Jorgie first appeared as Theresa in 2008 and has been involved in some of the drama’s most high-profile storylines.

One month before the character’s arrival, she was mentioned by her aunt Myra and grandmother Nana, and got into all sorts of trouble almost as soon as she set foot in the village.

Her first story was bedding Tony Cunningham, who was horrified to discover that Theresa was only 15 years old and therefore underage. Since then, she’s been a teenage mum, the target of a serial killer, kidnapped by her evil ex-boyfriend Will Savage, offered a kidney to Nico Blake and, of course, got sent down for shooting dead copper Calvin Valentine.

She took a short break from the soap in 2013, but made a dramatic return in August last year when her cousin Mercedes helped her to break free from prison.

In 2012, Jorgie appeared in the seventh series of Dancing On Ice, and was paired with professional American ice skater Matt Evers. She made it to the final, coming second to Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden, better known at David Metcalfe. However, when she appeared in the show’s final series in 2014, which saw the return of former celebrity contestants, the actress was knocked out in the first week.

She also appeared in the 2011 series Born To Shine, which featured celebs being taught a new skill by talented teenagers. But Jorgie’s attempt at street dancing fell flat and she was eliminated in the first week.

Following the news of Jorgie’s departure from Hollyoaks, a source told Mirror Online: "Jorgie has been in LA wooing acting agents and managers and hopes to start landing film roles soon. She can sing and dance too so has as lot to offer."

Patrick Blake oversteps the mark when he kisses his new secretary Theresa McQueen on Hollyoaks tonight (Channel 4). But far from becoming a sexual harrassment case, Theresa 'kinda likes it'.

Watch Theresa's reaction to the kiss, above, and find out what Jorgie Porter makes of the kiss...

How does Theresa feel about her new role as Patrick’s secretary? "She loves that she’s got a job so she can support her kids. She also has loads of fun dressing up in her secretary clothes and playing the part. I actually think she’s quite good at her job and enjoys helping Patrick organise his life."

How torn does she feel being stuck in the middle of Patrick and Maxine? "She wants to do a really good job for Patrick and earn her money, but she can see it from Maxine’s side too and knows what Patrick did to her. Theresa has kids of her own and knows what it’s like when your children are taken away, so she wouldn’t want that to happen to Maxine. Theresa and Maxine have been through a lot together because of Dodger, but Patrick is her boss so she feels like she has to do right by him."

How does the kiss happen? "Patrick has had a few too many drinks after the custody hearing and goes round to the McQueens’. Theresa is comforting him and he comes on to her so she just goes with it. Theresa is fond of Patrick, she’s seen a different side to him compared to what everyone else sees and sees the potential for him to be a good man."

What was your reaction when you found out about the kiss? "I was like 'No way! Patrick and Theresa – are you joking?' But I think it works really well."

How does Theresa feel after the kiss with Patrick? "Patrick ignores Theresa after the kiss and her pride is hurt. Being a McQueen, she expects men to chase after her and when she doesn’t hear from him she’s fuming and wants to find out why."

Who’s a better kisser, Patrick or Dodger? "For Theresa it’s still definitely Dodger. Their on-off relationship was heated, there was sexual tension, they had a baby together and she was in love with him. But there’s still time for Patrick to prove himself…"

Is Theresa worried about getting too close to Patrick in case she ends up like Maxine? "Ye,s that’s always in the back of Theresa’s mind, but she feels like she’s a different person to Maxine. She knows what he’s capable of now and thinks she knows how to handle him."

If you could choose any celebrity to be your boss for a day, who would it be and why? "I would love to have Darcey Bussell as my boss because I just worship her, I’d do anything she wanted me to do. She could be my dance teacher too – I’d soak up everything she said like a sponge."

If you could choose any celebrity to be your slave for a day, who would it be and why? "I’d love Sam Smith to be my slave because I’d just make him sing to me all day – I love his voice."

What advice would you give Theresa if you were her friend? "Be loyal to your girl mates. Do what makes you happy and be aware of people’s pasts – can people change? Also, spend some time with your kids!"

Theresa’s out of jail and just wants to be a good mum to Kathleen Angel and Myra-Pocahontas on Channel 4's Hollyoaks. But somebody’s sabotaging her efforts, Jorgie Porter tells Soaplife

What’s happening to make Theresa look like a bad mum?

“Lots of things. Carmel gives Theresa a drink that’s spiked with vodka and she passes out while she’s playing with Kathleen Angel. Myra finds the baby in the middle of the floor in Theresa’s room and a pan of boiling water almost goes over Kathleen Angel. Theresa’s sure Carmel’s behind it.”

Because Theresa and Carmel aren’t getting on?

“Yes. There’s a massive feud between them and things get violent. They have a big physical fight. In real life, Gemma [Merna, who plays Carmel] kneed me right between the legs and there was a moment where I had to have a breather. I play a badass who likes to pull hair, but in real life I’d run away from a fight. Theresa and Carmel really go for it, but the fight is broken up.”

What happens when the McQueens go on a spa day?

“At first, Theresa doesn’t want Carmel there, but they make peace at the spa and things calm down between them. However, while they’re there, Sonny [Aaron Fontaine] turns up at the house and tries to kill Nana. They’re all horrified when they find out he’s behind the attack. Theresa thought he was dead and she’s scared to know he’s out there somewhere.”

And the peace doesn’t last between Theresa and Carmel, does it?

“No, because Theresa finds a leaflet from social services in Carmel’s bag and she goes insane, thinking Carmel is going to report her.”

What does Theresa do?

“She doesn’t really have to do anything because Myra [Nicole Barber-Lane] steps in and tells Carmel to get lost. She leaves and Theresa thinks she can have a fresh start with her kids now. She’s excited to have her life back.”

Then the police find one of Carmel’s shoes…

“Theresa’s worried. Even though she and Carmel haven’t been getting on, she is family and she wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her.”

And there’s more upset to come with a big stunt, isn’t there?

“There is. It’s huge and it will have massive repercussions for Theresa. It was so exciting. It will changes lives in Hollyoaks for ever.”

Hollyoaks, Channel 4. Click here for times and dates

Photos of the storyline in Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter has revealed biting her lip has become Theresa McQueen's trademark.

Jorgie, 26, says Theresa’s coy lip-biting to try and win sympathy and get her own way is now a part of her character.

“Six years ago, when Theresa first got with Tony Hutchinson [Nick Pickard], biting her lip became her trademark.

“I’ve even got a song on my iPod about it, which a fan made me.

“So I can't deny Theresa having that - it’s her calling card!” Jorgie says.

Jorgie also revealed Theresa is about to cause a massive drama in the soap as she seeks revenge on Sonny Valentine (Aaron Fontaine), who grassed her up for Calvin’s murder and landed her in jail.

“Sonny put Theresa in prison, so she hates him and contacts her mum to sort him out.

“Theresa wants to break out of prison, and it’s going to be a huge McQueen drama where Myra [Nicole Barber-Lane] and Mercedes [Jennifer Metcalfe] go up against Sonny and Carmel [Gemma Merna],” says Jorgie.

Hollyoaks continues on Channel 4, Mon-Fri, 6.30pm.

Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter has announced that she has quit the soap.

Jorgie plays Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 series, but she told the Daily Star Sunday that she would leave the show in the coming months.

She said: "I've loved playing Theresa and of course being a McQueen. I've been so lucky to have been given some amazing storylines over the last five years.

"I start to feel a little emotional when I think about leaving, but the time is right for me to move on. I've still got a while to go yet so there'll be plenty more mischief from Theresa over the next few months."

Theresa McQueen exits Hollyoaks when she finally gets her comeuppance over killing Calvin Valentine in 2010, but the door is said to be open for Jorgie to return after a break.

Hollyoaks' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "Jorgie is a beautiful, sexy and delightful presence on and off screen - a real talent. But Theresa has got away with murder for many years, so it is time for her to face the consequences."

The McQueen family has already seen Jacqui, played by Claire Cooper, and Myra, played by Nicole Barber-Lane, bow out this year and Jorgie's final scenes are expected to screen towards the end of the year.

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