Each and every week night, thousands of viewers eagerly tune in to Channel 4 and become engrossed in the happenings of a group of young people as they go about their daily lives, coping with sexual abuse, rape and teenage pregnancies in a small, fictitious Chester suburb known as Hollyoaks. One of the area’s most recognisable residents is Steph Dean, the beautiful blonde wild child with a penchant for arrogance and displays of egotism. Yet, away from the cameras, Steph’s real-life alter ego, Carley Stenson is her complete opposite.  Warm, friendly and more than happy to chat away about life, Hollyoaks and everything when The LINC team met up with the Billinge-born actress for a quick drink in her local pub.

Q. You've been in Hollyoaks for five years. How does it feel to still be there?
"It's absolutely great. It's like a family. I wake up in the morning and it's like going from home to home. It's such an honour," says the second longest leading female cast member. "It's really nice to go there and to be surrounded by lots of friends."

Q. How often do you get asked for your autograph?
"Quite a bit, but it depends where you're at. It sounds like such a conceited answer. If I'm out with friends for a drink, at a party or out in Wigan I do get asked a bit but often you can't really give one because no one has a pen and paper. You do sometimes get asked to sign an arm and things like that. It's not a bad thing unless it's a situation like today at work, when we had to go to Fleetwood, at a cadet centre with an indoor pool with diving and all sort of stuff. All the cadets came round to see who was filming so there was a lot of excitement when we were trying to work. But some days you can go with no one recognising you at all - which is quite nice."

Q. You've had a few really substantial story lines in Hollyoaks, particularly when your character found out she was epileptic & your involvement in the Toby serial murders. How does it feel when your character is centre stage?
"I feel very privileged that the writers upstairs are considering me and that I'm capable of doing a story line like the epilepsy one. I love getting good story lines. I enjoy doing them and I take it as a challenge and look forward them. Even when Steph hasn't really got one and she's just trilling in the background, I try to make the most of that. No soap had really tackled epilepsy before, because it's such a taboo subject, so that was brilliant and you do pat yourself on the back a little bit, especially if someone comes up to you and they're pleased with the result. "When I do realise that the cameras are right in front of me, and I realise that there's people watching, I panic a bit with my lines. So it's best, for me, to forgot about it and to just think I've got all my mates around me. It's flattering when you do things like this (interviews) and it’s when you get attention that you realise your part of something bigger. However, on set you are there to get a story across and that's what you have to remember."

Q. When Steph first came into Hollyoaks she was a bit of a bitch. Is it good fun playing this role?
"I loved it. I prefer being a bitch because anything that is really genuine for Steph, or for Steph to cry about something, it's something she really cares about. I always think about the time Steph thought she was pregnant to Scott Anderson, I remember I had to cry and appear genuinely upset with Steph's friend Zara, who I used to bully as well. I found it so difficult to fake being genuine. So for me to play a bitch character, because I try not to be a bitch in real life, I have to play something totally opposite to what I am, so you can really go somewhere with it. But to try and be genuine when you don't actually mean what you're saying, because it doesn't relate to you in real life, I find that hard. It's difficult to find a balance between pushing it too far and far enough. When you're a bitch you can just go for it and have a laugh."

Q. How did you get the part?
"When the casting team actually called me for the part after seeing me in an audition for another role, so I went straight into the final audience. My agent told me that was a good sign because they'd remembered me from ages ago and they wanted to see me for this particular character. So a part of me knew I had a really good chance of getting the part but I was, obviously, well chuffed when I actually got the part."

Q. You spent hours researching epilepsy before your character was diagnosed with it. Were you worried about how convincing you would be?
"Oh gosh yes. That was the first thing I worried about, that people who have it would watch it and think, "That's so not what it's about and that's so not how I feel." Especially having the fit because I didn't want it to look laughable. It was very difficult. My friend, Catherine, did a lot of research for me, because I didn't have it at home. It was nice to feel, in a tacky way, though that we were reaching out to people. I had a lot of letters saying thank you because it’s a subject that just hasn't been raised before."

Q. Billinge is a relatively small place to come from for a TV star. How do you feel when you come home and how do people treat you when you do?
"The people in Billinge are lovely. Everyone knows everyone else's business, and everyone is related to each other somewhere down the line, but it's nice. Coming in here (the Holt Arms) is dead cosy and there aren’t many teenagers, unless I know them. I've been really lucky and I like to think being on the TV hasn't affected my life as much as others, because I very gradually crept my way into it. For two years nobody knew and that stood me in good stead because it wasn't like 'bam!' - lots of episodes and publicity shoots per week. People didn't really change towards me, and I didn't expect them to, because it has been a very slow process. But I do get a surprise every now and again when I meet one of my old teachers that I used to be terrified of and they're like, "Hi Carley, how's it going?" and they don't how to look me in the eyes because they find it awkward. That is so funny and you do get people who don't know whether or not to say 'hello' to you. But I think if you're genuine about it all you get past all that."

Q. On the Bookheads (http://www.bookheads.org.uk/) web-site it says you enjoyed reading 'Bridgette Jones' Diary'. Would you have enjoyed playing her in the film?
"Yes because she's dead real and dead cute and loveable. It would be a nice contrast to Steph Dean. It would be nice to play something realistic. In Hollyoaks you get quite a lot of spoofy scenes and there is a lot of action going on, whereas Bridgette Jones is more conversational based, where you get real long scenes where the actors are just sitting down and you can really get into it. "

Q. Have you done any movies before and do you ever see yourself becoming a film actress on a full-time basis?
"I've never really looked at TV as something separate from film. I'd probably look at the role and what I'd be doing in it. If there were a big TV programme coming out where I was Lara Croft then I'd like to do that. On the other hand, if I were offered a role in a film that didn't really appeal to me I wouldn't be keen on doing it. But I think doing a Hollywood kind of film would be amazing - gosh, you wouldn't say 'no' to that - although I've not reached there yet!

Q. What do you think you will go into after Hollyoaks?
"I'd like to try London musical theatre (genuine and serious when she says this) because I do prefer being on the stage. I love being on the telly and I'd love to do more drama but I think my heart is set on musical theatre, so I'd like to try that next. I absolutely adore acting and I love being on the television but I started off singing and dancing and acting was just what came along with it. Then I got the part in Hollyoaks and I was like "your joking, do you want me to sing and dance in the background?" I've always been entertaining people one way or another, telling jokes or being stupid, but I think I did originally consider acting behind singing and dancing. I feel more confident on a stage. I don't know how that works. In theatre I know I have one attempt at my lines, so I get nervous, but I'm somehow more confident about it than I am on the telly."

Q. Why do you take time out to do charity work and other non-paid commitments like this interview?
"I don't know, I suppose it keeps it real really. I've got such a brilliant opportunity, why not help others? I just do things like this 'cause they're fun and hopefully others can benefit from my advice. With charity work, I'm okay so why shouldn't I help other people who need it."   

Q. You must earn quite substantially for someone of your age. Are you good at saving and what do you like to spend your money on?
"I was so lucky because when I went into the job my mum she made sure I started saving. I would have just been like; "There's a nice Porsche!" I actually have an account that most of my money goes into and I don't look at it. Every week I have an amount I'm allowed to spend, which I really try hard to live off. I've also bought an apartment in Spain as an investment. I haven't really bought cars because they depreciate quickly. So I have been sensible but I do go on shopping sprees. I go to the Trafford Centre and I shop for clothes. I do spend stupid amounts when I find the card I'm not supposed to use - then I hide it again. But I don't do it often because I'm always conscious that I need to pay off my apartment. Once I've done that I'll be alright. I spend most of my money on going out. I don't know whether it's this job or my mentality, but the most important thing to me is being with my family and being with my friends. I think because I work so much, especially lately when it has been twelve hours a day six days a week, if not seven, I really appreciate seeing my friends and family. When I do see them, money goes on going out and having a nice meal, books, or going to the pictures. Things like my clothes don't really matter. I'm so used to not wearing my own clothes at work that I'm not too bothered what I've got personally.

Q. Does everyone get as drunk as they seem to at those glitzy soap awards? What is it like to be amongst the stars and do you have any juicy gossip you'd like to share with us?
"That's next week," Carley says laughing. "You've asked that in good time. How do I start without offending anyone if I'm being realistic? I must admit that we're all so young on Hollyoaks that we grow up in front of the camera. When you're 17/18 you do like to have a drink and its not often we get to go to a party, because we're in early the next morning, you want to let your hair down. So my defence for us. The bars we book into go to tell the paparazzi we're going to be there in order to promote the club. You'll get a million people coming out of Wigan looking worse than what we do but it's just that the paparazzi are outside photographing us. We do let our hair down at these awards and if you do have a bit to drink it helps you relax a bit more because you're so aware of all the eyes on you. If you're on your own it is okay but when it's a whole group of cast members you get a lot of attention. Soap awards are known for how crazy people get because we're all together in a small room.

"I love doing a photo shoot and getting my make up and hair done. I actually like the ceremonies at soap awards but when the host says, "We'll get you out into the bar soon," I'm like, "No, I'm actually enjoying watching all the clips. This is what I've not seen on telly for the last year" In the bar afterwards I feel a bit awkward being amongst so many people I recognise and that's how I can relate to people who come up to me because I just don't know what to say to people from Coronation Street. There are so many people in the room together with stuff to say to each other but you just end up talking about the weather. I get a bit nervous about that so I like to have someone at the side of me that I can have silent conversations with. I do enjoy the glitz and the glamour of the awards, it's lovely to be part of something so beautiful, the scenery is nice and the people are gorgeous, but because of the intimidation, and because I'm not as relaxed, I'd rather be out in Walkabout or Jumping Jacks. I can be a little bit more me then and wear my trainers."

Q. What is it like to appear in the Hollyoaks Babes calendars?
"Well we don't wear much," she says laughing. "We get taken to a gorgeous hotel or villa. The last one we did was in an eight-bedroom villa and I got there pretty late because I'd been working that day. Most of the girls were already there. When I walked in at 10pm with my case it was brilliant, the pool, the view of the mountains and the sea, and the beds outside with canopies over them. It was gorgeous. But when you see the calendar out in the shops in Britain you're like, "Oh my god, I can't believe I did that." You really are shocked because nobody over here realises what it was like over there and how relaxed we were. It was nothing over there but I avoid Clinton Cards and the galleries if I can! But I'm not easily recognisable when I'm out and about anyway. I've got my hat on and I'm dead scruffy but I don't want to stand next to the calendar in case someone says, "God, that is really airbrushed."

Q. The Deans are a very turbulent bunch. Is it difficult playing character in a dysfunctional family?
"Until recently we've been dysfunctional in a different way to the rest of the families, it is just recently that we have been affected by parents splitting up or an affair or something. Up to that point it was because we as a family were a unit disrupting everybody else's lives and it was so nice because we were so happy and the rest of the families were all each at other's throats. I love being part of the Deans. We're the best family in any soap."

Q. Do you mind being called Steph when you're out and about?
"It depends how they say it. I get people calling me Steph by accident and you can't take offence because it's so easy to do. I even do it with the cast because half the day you’re calling them by another name. When you get people who expect you to turn around if your walking past you in the street then you're like, "that isn't my name." And it's strange - do they actually think that is my name? I get fans writing to me saying, "Hi Carley, I love your character in Hollyoaks but I can't believe you did that the other day." What is a bit weird but it's nice and not in a batty way. I've not had any letters addressed to Steph as yet; I've got a few psychos but not the ones your thinking of. I got one girl that wrote to me to say she loved my clothes, which was a bit frightening, as I don't like most of the clothes Steph wears, like pink Lycra tights." 

MORE ABOUT CARLEY AND HOLLYOAKS:
The official Hollyoaks Website: http://www.hollyoaks.com/
Carley’s character, “Steph Dean” is an epileptic, if you need advice, support or information about epilepsy, visit http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/

ARE YOU THE NEXT BIG SOAP STAR?
Ever fancied getting involved in acting? Do you have a desire to perform? The following few links may be able to help: 

Willpower Theatre Group
http://www.artsxchange.net/0008/

Wigan Little Theatre
http://www.wiganlittletheatre.co.uk/ 

Other Theatre Opportunities
http://www.wlct.org/arts/perarts/perarts.htm

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