‘Ageing is a beautiful thing’: Emmerdale’s Emma Atkins embracing raw look amid ‘brutal’ doubts

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While we see Charity Dingle as a Emmerdale’s fierce, formidable bombshell who – no matter how badly she mucks up – we love with our entire hearts, Emma Atkins isn’t as big a fan of watching her own on-screen exploits! ‘It’s awful!’ she exclaimed while talking exclusively to Metro at the Inside Soap awards, when asked if she often watches her performances back. She elaborated further: ‘Ageing should be such a beautiful process where we just hold each other and go ‘do you know what, aging is just a beautiful thing’, so why do I go, oh! Is that me!’ Of course, her alter-ego is currently banged up for the accidental killing of demon doctor, rapist and all around scumbag Dr Todd (Caroline Harker), and in order to be accurate, Charity’s usual curly blow-wave and lashings of mascara have been dropped while she’s behind bars. ‘When you’re stripped back and your hair is scraped back off your face, it’s a bit brutal. ‘I’d rather be doing that in prison than painting a face on. It’s got to be real, it’s got to be authentic, it’s got to be raw, so crack on Emma!’ Charity’s facing a long stretch (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV) Of course, as viewers know, Charity didn’t bump off Todd; it was actually her granddaughter, Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), who shoved her, causing her to bash her bonce on a table, which ultimately resulted in Todd taking her last breaths. How is Charity feeling about the potentially super-long stretch behind bars that she’s staring down? ‘I think she knew that it was inevitable, and knowing that she had to hide the secret. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘She wasn’t prepared to throw Sarah under the bus by any means, and knowing that it was her paying Sarah back for the lies and deceit. ‘It’s just not good. She did it for the right reasons. ‘She was so desperate to give Sarah a family and knowing that she could but obviously didn’t realise how awful it was going to go. Emma doesn’t think Charity will make a play for ‘top dog’ (Picture: ITV) With Sarah Platt’s (Tina O’Brien) prison jaunt over in Coronation Street – now (un)officially known as Orange is the new Platt – has seen her struggle to adapt to a life in the slammer, we know Charity is much more experienced with life in the clink. Could we see a bid for the prized prison position of ‘top dog’? Will Charity channel her inner Yvonne Atkins? ‘With the trauma she recently experienced, I don’t think she’s got it in her.’ Emma admitted. That doesn’t mean she’d be letting anybody bully her, though! ‘In terms of self-defence, she’d be there. Sometimes in moments of terror, your adrenaline takes over, and you become a tiger. ‘I think she’d have it in her, a bit like when she was strip searched, the walls closed in and she got very defensive. She’s got it in her, but I don’t think she’s there to cause trouble.’ Emma is honoured to be a Dingle (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV) Emma accepted the ‘Best Family’ award for the Dingle clan – an award they’ve won for seven years on the run! ‘I’m so proud,’ Emma admitted. ‘I’ll never forget when I got the audition to be a Dingle, I was like: ‘a Dingle?!’ ‘For me to even think about being a part of that was a no brainer. I was like: ‘I want the part! I’ll work so hard!’ ‘I’m honoured to be a part of it. They are a crazy bunch; dysfunctional, beautiful, stupid, bold, brave, willing to put their necks on the line for their family. There is something really magical about it.’ When it was suggested that the diversity among the family was their strength, Emma agreed: ‘You want that. I want to watch something that brings contrast and fireworks. I think the Dingles do that really well.’ Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: EastEnders Priya star Sophie Khan Levy exits after three years as she confirms real-life pregnancy Arrow MORE: EastEnders legend Jo Joyner returns to set and fans are freaking out Arrow MORE: Lacey Turner wows on Strictly as EastEnders’ James Bye shares moving tribute The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.