Hollyoaks star Nadine Mulkerrin’s fiance Rory Douglas-Speed was angry when he heard his wife share ‘It would be easier if he and I didn’t work together’
Hollyoaks actress Nadine Mulkerrin is back on our screens, which means she's also filming scenes with her fiancé Rory Douglas-Speed, but says it's easier when they don't work together
Nadine Mulkerrin says returning to Hollyoaks feels like “coming home” – and the show truly is a family affair for the actress, who plays Cleo McQueen.
Nadine met her fiancé Rory Douglas-Speed (who plays Joel Dexter) on the soap eight years ago. Since then, the couple have got engaged and welcomed sons Reggie, four, and Dougie, 20 months – who Nadine has been spending her time with during her 18-month break from the show.
“Dougie kept me very busy through my maternity leave,” laughs Nadine, 30. “I take my hat off to stay-at-home mums because I was ready to go back to work. It’s mentally exhausting being a mum, but the best thing ever.”
Nadine is back on the E4 soap after three years away
“My first day back on set, we filmed all the McQueens fighting over a chippy tea,” says Nadine. “It was like stepping back in time, like we’ve all just been away for five minutes. Having the family back together is rare. We’re like passing ships – and obviously Chelsee (Healey, who plays Goldie McQueen) is now on maternity leave. “We all see each other outside of work. I went to Chelsee’s gender reveal party, which was the most epic party I’ve been to in my life – bigger than my wedding will be!
“It’s really lovely that as women we can support each other. Jorgie’s back to work as a first-time mum and I can be there for her because I’ve been in that position.”
The three McQueens were travelling back to the village to see Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) marry Felix Westwood (Richard Blackwood). However, a devastating car crash stopped them in their tracks.
But it also reunited Cleo with her old flame Joel. Cleo and Joel have a lot of history and almost married in 2018 – but she suffered a heart attack at the altar. Cleo later left the village and Joel has since moved on and is expecting a baby with Leela Lomax (Kirsty-Leigh Porter). But does Nadine believe there’s unfinished business there?
“Joel was Cleo’s true love – they’ve been connected for a very long time,” explains Nadine. “I think in Cleo’s mind she thought there’s still something between them, but Joel is with someone else. Cleo has been gone for two years, so she can’t just pick up where she left off.
“I think the audience are very much team Leela and Joel and I agree with the viewers that Joel and Cleo have been done to death a little bit. I actually love Leela and Joel’s relationship, so it will be interesting, especially because Cleo’s come back to the village with Abe.”
Despite Cleo’s admission that she returned to see Joel, she does have a love interest, Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti), who followed her to the village after an off-screen liaison. However, Nadine teases that Abe might not give Cleo the happily ever after she wants.
“Abe has a sinister edge to him,” admits Nadine. “It’s one of those stories where the moral is that when you’re in the early days of a relationship, don’t ignore the red flags. It’s a big thing in our generation, to identify toxic, weird behaviour that you justify or ignore.
“Cleo’s dealt with abuse, eating disorders, she’s had a traumatic childhood. She does have that vulnerable side and she can be quite susceptible to these kinds of people. I don’t know exactly where this storyline is heading, but I’m excited.”
Even though they are seeing other people, Cleo and Joel will be crossing paths, so how does Nadine feel about working with her fiancé?
“Rory is renowned for being a giggler, he’s the worst!” exclaims Nadine. “I love working with him, but because of childcare, it’s actually easier when we don’t work together.” Rory and Nadine have been engaged since 2018, so is there a wedding on the horizon?
“We’ve been too busy to make plans,” says Nadine. “We got pregnant, we moved out, then the world went crazy with Covid, then we got pregnant again. I’d love to have a wedding when the boys are older, so they’ll remember it.”
“We’ll probably go to the Liverpool Register Office, and then go to the beach – a low-key affair. I actually said to the producers if they want Cleo and Joel to get married again, get a real vicar and our families in as extras!”
