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Emmerdale Serena Sugden star says filming one scene left her so starstruck she almost 'threw up'

Emmerdale newcomer Casey Al-Shaqsy, who plays Serena Sugden, says that filming one scene on the soap left her feeling so starstruck she 'had to leave the room'

[ITV of actress Casey Al-Shaqsy who will join the cast of ITV soap Emmerdale as Serena Sugden]

ITV of actress Casey Al-Shaqsy will join the cast of ITV soap Emmerdale as Serena Sugden(Image: Mark Bruce/ITV/PA Wire. This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph mus)

Emmerdale newcomer Casey Al-Shaqsy (Serena Sugden) says appearing on the soap left her feeling so starstruck she almost threw up.

The actress, 30, joined the soap back in June as the mysterious Serena Sugden, a distant relative of Robert and Sarah. Since joining the show she has rarely been off of our screens, with her character being exposed as a former police officer who has a lot of secrets.

Although she really loves working on the soap and all her co-stars, she says that it has left her feeling overwhelmed at times, admitting one particular day left her feeling sick and overwhelmed.

[Casey Al-Shaqsy as Serena Sugden in Emmerdale]

Casey Al-Shaqsy stars as Serena Sugden in Emmerdale(Image: Mark Bruce/ITV/PA Wire. This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph mus)

One of her first big scenes was baby Leyla Sugdens christening. The tot is thought to be the daughter of Sarah Sugden and her husband, Jacob, but is actually the biological child of Ross Barton and Charity Dingle a secret that Serena knows about.

Talking about filming Leylas christening scenes alongside a huge selection of iconic characters, she said: Id been there for two weeks and Id had lovely interactions with everyone.

Then I got to that christening, and it was all the Dingles in one corner, then it was me, Matty, Sarah and Jacob and then Charity and Mackenzie.

I literally stood there and I went, can I sit down? I had to leave the room and I couldnt sit with everybody because I just felt so overwhelmed.

Casey says she was actually left feeling sick after being in the room with such an iconic family that she grew up watching: "I used to sit on my living room floor with my mum because she used to watch it religiously."

She says it still feels surreal to be on the show, playing a member of the Sugden family: "I've been [on the show] for like four months and it still hasn't sunk in.

"It's been epic and I feel incredibly privileged [but] I just feel like slightly overwhelmed at times that i'm part of it.

"I'll be watching old episode and going, god that's Serena's uncle! It's really cool."

One character (and actor) in particular has left her feeling more excited than the others: I think I actually got starstruck by Cain, [and] I dont get starstruck.

[17_07_emm_aaron_rober_serena_01.jpg]

I saw him and I was quiet for once and walked past him and said hello Im Casey, cant wait to work with you

I was a bit awkward because I was like, thats Cain!

Cain and Charity are two iconic characters she grew up watching on the show, and says it felt 'weird' that her first ever scene was with Charity (Emma Atkins): "I was like, you're Charity!"

Casey also admitted she also used to have a crush on Jeff Hordley, who plays the character, back in the day when he sported long hair: I used to fancy him!

When asked if he knows about her crush, she laughed: He will do now!

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