Rita Simons’ arrival in Hollyoaks has ruffled feathers off-screen as Alex Fletcher admitted she felt “jealous” of her new co-star, who shot to fame as Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Diane Hutchinson has been through a rollercoaster year that’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. Battling divorce, slipping back into alcoholism, coming to terms with her teenager Ro’s wish to transition and falling for a corrupt cop who was covertly running a child exploitation ring – it’s all been in a day’s work for the beleaguered character.

Hollyoaks star Alex Fletcher, celebrating an impressive 15 years on the show, admits she has to shake off her character’s traumas as soon as she steps off set. “She’s had a traumatic year,” chuckles Alex.

“I genuinely put it to bed as soon as I walk out of the studio because it would send me under. I just try and bury it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

As the tension of Ro’s court case eases this week, Diane and Tony (played by Nick Pickard) find themselves reconnecting. Yet, Marie (portrayed by Rita Simons) isn’t ready to surrender her dreams with Tony without a battle.

“Diane and Tony and the family have kind of pulled together as a unit again, which is a bit of a feather in Diane’s cap because she still loves him to bits,” Alex divulges. “Her loyalties and her heart lie with Tony and it would be nice to work with Nick again because I’ve hardly seen him.”

Sparks fly when both Marie and Diane inadvertently don matching dresses to celebrate after Ro sidesteps being sent to a juvenile detention centre.

“That brings the family closer together again, so they celebrate and Marie and Diane turn up in the same dress,” chuckles Alex. “And Diane is like, ‘Well, I ain’t going home and getting changed love, you can go home!’ All the dynamics and blended families have been so good to explore. I think there’s going to be a lot more of that.”

Alex is not only excited about reuniting with her on-screen hubby Nick but is also eager for more screen time with EastEnders legend Rita. “She’s brilliant,” gushes Alex, 48.

“Not gonna lie, I was a bit jealous of her when she started. She’s so good, it’s nice to just be working in and around women of our age. Strong women. It’s fabulous.”

But it’s not all smooth sailing for Diane; trouble is on the horizon as Clare Devine, portrayed by Gemma Bissix, has her in her sights. Unbeknownst to Diane, Clare was wed to DI Alistair Banks, the dodgy detective Diane had an affair with. With Banks now deceased, Clare is convinced Diane has a stash of cash that rightfully belongs to her.

“Diane’s seemingly in a good place, though I don’t think she’s realised the backlash from DI Banks,” Alex reveals. “Diane should be fearing for her life. And then, obviously, she’s also being accused of having all this cash that’s gone missing.”

Clare’s return to Hollyoaks after a 12-year hiatus has Alex over the moon. “She’s just a great girl,” she beams. “She’s a good energy – she really cares about the show and she 110% gets it.”

Before her role as Diane on Hollyoaks, Alex was known for her portrayal of the outspoken Jacqui Dixon in Brookside, who later became Jacqui Farnham.

While acting is her passion, Alex has expressed a desire to participate in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, having supported Nick during his stint on the show in 2023. She’s even up for trying a witchetty grub or two. ” It’s one of my favourite shows,” Alex shares.

“I am at an age where I don’t really care what people think about me anymore. I’d have a good go. I’d be scared of the water – the water things would freak me out. But I could eat the stuff and I’d be good in a team.”

However, it’s Strictly Come Dancing that truly captures Alex’s heart. She had the opportunity to support her friend Shayne Ward from the audience last year and loved watching the dancers up close.

“If I had to choose, it would be Strictly all day,” she admits. “I danced as a kid and I had the privilege to go and see it last year andI buzzed off seeing the dancers. I just think it’s a skill. Not that I’ve danced in 35 to 40 years.”

Alex even has a preferred dance partner in mind – Aljaz Skorjanec. “I love my fitness, I would just love it, 100%. I love Aljaz Skorjanec and I met him after the show and he was just dead friendly and brilliant,” she gushes. “He’d be brilliant.”