Jamelia says she wants to be as ‘feisty’ as her Hollyoaks character Sharon Bailey as she returns to soap

Jamelia has revealed she is reprising her previous role and joining the Hollyoaks cast full time.

The singer and actress, 42, from Birmingham, first appeared as Sharon Bailey on Hollyoaks in 2021 in a guest role for a special episode featuring Richard and Kelle Bryan.

On Tuesday, she stepped out to The Royal Television Society Programme Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London with other members of the cast where she announced to MailOnline that the same day had been her first day back on set.

“I’m here with the cast of Hollyoaks. I’ve just joined, and today was my real first day,” Jamelia said. “I’ve had a couple of scenes with a couple of established artists, so for me to be a part of it and be here today with them is a bit weird and a bit surreal, but I’m trying to own it,” Jamelia said.

Jamelia said that she “bravely” offered to reprise her role after she “had the most amazing time” during her guest appearance. In April, she was offered a full time contract, and she jumped at the chance to be on the show once again.

“It’s been everything I expected it to be. I’m just having the time of my life,” she said.

She went on to say how welcome she felt on set and that it was an amazing environment to work in.

Part of her enjoyment on the show comes from playing Sharon who she said she admires and would look up to if she met her in real life.

She said: ‘My character, she’s a bit feisty. I describe her as a bit of a firecracker, she doesn’t suffer fools, she’s very brave and she’s the type of person that would inspire me in real life.”

Jamelia made a reappearance as Sharon in Hollyoaks on Monday, 20 March on E4, and Tuesday, 21 March on Channel 4 and will continue to star in episodes to come.