IT is almost five years since actress Jessica Forrest made an explosive exit from popular TV soap Hollyoaks.

Her character Leanne Holiday died following a bomb blast in an episode which marked the show’s 18th anniversary. but not before she wed on-off boyfriend Dennis from her hospital bed.

“Those were the days, getting married and blown up,” laughed the Colne-born actress.

Having left the soap, Jessica worked on the children’s TV series Dani’s Castle before moving into the theatre.

Now she’s preparing to tour intimate venues around the country in Chip Shop Chips written by Becky Prestwich.

This will be the second tour of the production Jessica has been involved in, first touring in 2016.

“The first run we did was for five weeks, this time it will be 10 so that’s a good sign,” she said. “Everyone really enjoys it - plus they get some fish and chips during the evening, what’s not to love?”

Venues are transformed into chip shop cafes for the evening as the tale of unrequited love takes place around the audience. Jessica plays teenager Jasmine fighting off the attentions of the lovelorn Lee.

“It is a very immersive show,” said Jessica. “Fortunately Jasmine’s a bit picky and isn’t the sort to consume 2,000 calories in one meal so I can stay off the fish and chips every night although they do smell wonderful. Perhaps I should start a blog commenting on the quality of the chips every night.”

Although she was on Hollyoaks for three years, Jessica admits it was not until she’d left the show that she really started to develop as an actress.

“I was 18 when I went to the open audition and got into Hollyoaks,” she said. “I was so young, I had braces on my teeth.

“I knew I wanted to act but I had no real experience. I got thrown into it really and I learned on the job. I was so nervous at first. I really didn’t have a clue what I was doing.”

“Ever since leaving Hollyoaks and Dani’s Castle, I’ve done loads of stage things and I’m a completely different actress now. I look at things so differently.

“I’m so much more confident. I’m older (Jessica is 28 this year) and I’ve got more experience.”

That experience has led to he developing her own character-driven stand-up routine.

With writing partner Olivia Nicholson she took the show Trolley Girls to the Edinburgh Festival in 2016.

“I have really started to enjoy the writing side,” she said.

She has been developing a one-woman show based on her experience as a nanny in London.

“I’ve been doing some nannying in between acting jobs.” she said. “It opened up a whole new world of characters to me. You don’t get many nannies in Colne!

“I’m hoping to perform extracts of the show up in Edinburgh in August although I’m not sure how polished it will be by then.”

Before then she’s got Chip Shop Chips to take around the country.

“It’s so well written, the script just flows off the tongue,” she said. “It’s really interesting returning to the show as it gives me a chance to develop the character even more.”

This confident actress and writer is a far cry from the young girl who first appeared in Hollyoaks.

“I think I’d die if had to watch those early appearances in Hollyoaks,” she said. “I was pretty bad. Looking back I realise how nervous I was.

“Being in Hollyoaks was like going to university for me. We went out twice a week and had a big house to share. It was just fun. But I think if I got the chance to get a long term part on a soap now, I’d be a lot better this time round.”

Chip Shop Chips, various venues around the North West. For details visit www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk