Nathalie Emmanuel defends soap stars

Nathalie Emmanuel says anyone who disrespects soap stars can "suck it".

The former \'Hollyoaks\' actress - who played Sasha Valentine from 2006 to 2010 - has gone on to appear in the likes of \'Game of Thrones\' and \'Furious 7\' following her four-year stint on the Channel 4 soap, but she hasn\'t forgotten where she cut her teeth in acting.

She said: "Anyone who says anything about soap stars can suck it as far as I\'m concerned."

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But Nathalie has admitted it wasn\'t always easy playing a heroin addict on the soap.

Recalling one particular day on set, she said: "I came into work and somebody was really unwell, so we shot a different scene.

"It was when my mum died in the show. I was like, \'Hang on a minute.\' I had to bring out performances I hadn\'t had time to really get into."

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And the star also defended soap stars who have other jobs, insisting not everyone is "privileged enough" to have financial backing from their family.

She added to The Guardian newspaper: "If you\'re privileged enough to be born into a family who can financially support your creative dreams, that\'s amazing.

"But not everybody has that. And to shame people for wanting to support themselves - she\'s just being a mum and a good one."

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Nathalie - who portrayed Missandei in \'Game of Thrones\' - recently admitted she misses being in \'Hollyoaks\'.

When asked if she misses the soap, she exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Of course, it was a lot of fun."

But she doesn\'t have the time to tune into the soap.

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Speaking in January, she said: "I don\'t watch it now. I don\'t have time to watch anything at the moment."