Jennifer Joanne Metcalfe (born 4 September 1983) is an English actress. She is known for her role as Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, which she has appeared in since 2006. Her portrayal of the character has led to her reprising the role in the programme's spin-off series Hollyoaks Later between 2008 and 2020. She appeared as a contestant in the sixth series of Dancing on Ice in 2011, where she finished in tenth place.
Jennifer Metcalfe | |
|---|---|
 Metcalfe in 2011 | |
| Born | Jennifer Joanne Metcalfe 4 September 1983 Bradford, England |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Role of Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks |
| Partner | Greg Lake (2012–2020) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editMetcalfe was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire and grew up on the Holme Wood housing estate.[1] She attended the Scala Kids drama school in her hometown. In between acting jobs, Metcalfe worked as a fitness instructor in Bradford.[1]
Career
editIn her early roles, Metcalfe appeared in several television programmes, including the children's television series My Parents Are Aliens and the ITV dramas Where The Heart Is, At Home with the Braithwaites and soap opera Emmerdale.
Metcalfe's breakthrough role occurred in 2006, when she was cast as Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.[2] She had previously been considered for the role of Claire Devine before her character was created.[3] Metcalfe was the first actress to be cast in the soap by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood.[4]
Her role in Hollyoaks has led to her appearing in its late-night spin-off series Hollyoaks Later, first appearing in the first series in 2008.[5] It was announced in April 2010 that she would return to the series for its third series later that year,[6] and she continued in the role for series 4 and series 5.[7][8] Despite the show concluding in 2013, a one-off special was broadcast in 2020, with Metcalfe returning once again in a main role.[9]
On 19 December 2010, it was announced Metcalfe would take part in the sixth series of ITV winter sports competition Dancing on Ice.[10] She was partnered with Sylvain Longchambon and was the seventh celebrity eliminated from the competition when she finished in the bottom two of the leaderboard along with fellow contestant Vanilla Ice, who was saved by the judging panel.[11]
Metcalfe quit Hollyoaks in August 2014.[12] Her character, Mercedes, appeared to have been killed off on 18 November, only to return unexpectedly in February 2015, alive after all, with Metcalfe back in the role on a permanent basis.[13]
Personal life
editMetcalfe was previously in a relationship with footballer Jermaine Pennant.[14] She confirmed her first pregnancy in February 2017 to former Geordie Shore star Greg Lake.[15][16] She gave birth to a son on 20 June 2017.[17] Metcalfe and Lake split in 2020.[18]
She co-owns the clothing rental boutique, The Closet, in Liverpool with Hollyoaks co-stars Claire Cooper and Leah Hackett, which opened in April 2010.[19]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998, 2001 | Where the Heart Is | Kelly / Geena Garton | 3 episodes |
| 1999 | My Parents Are Aliens | Katie Roberts | 1 episode |
| 2001 | At Home with the Braithwaites | School Bully 1 | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Emmerdale | Jade Nicholls | Recurring Role |
| 2006–present | Hollyoaks | Mercedes McQueen | Regular Role |
| 2008–2012, 2020 | Hollyoaks Later | Main Cast Member | |
| 2011 | Dancing on Ice | Contestant | |
| 2015 | Celebrity Juice | Panelist | |
| 2016 | Virtually Famous | Panellist | |
| 2016 | Extreme Makeovers: On Fleek | Narrator | |
| 2025 | We Go Again | Candy | Upcoming BBC drama |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Birthday Girl | Keeley | TV movie |
Awards and nominations
editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2021) |
| Year | Award | Category | Series | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Hollyoaks | Nominated | [20] |
| 2008 | Nominated | [20] | |||
| 2009 | Nominated | [20] | |||
| Best Actress | Nominated | [20] | |||
| Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Nominated | [21] | ||
| 2010 | British Soap Awards | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Nominated | ||||
| Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Nominated | [22] | ||
| 2011 | All About Soap Bubble Awards | Best Celeb Style | Nominated | ||
| British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Shortlisted | |||
| Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | Longlisted | |||
| Sexiest Female | Shortlisted | ||||
| 2012 | British Soap Awards | Longlisted | |||
| Best Actress | Longlisted | ||||
| Inside Soap Awards | Longlisted | ||||
| Best Bitch | Shortlisted | ||||
| Sexiest Female | Longlisted | ||||
| 2013 | Best Actress | Longlisted | |||
| Best Bitch | Longlisted | ||||
| Sexiest Female | Shortlisted | ||||
| 2014 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Longlisted | ||
| British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Shortlisted | |||
| Best On-Screen Partnership (with Joseph Thompson) | Nominated | ||||
| Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Shortlisted | |||
| 2015 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Longlisted | ||
| Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Won | |||
| 2016 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Shortlisted | ||
| 2020 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [23] |
References
edit- ^ a b Black, Michael (27 March 2008). "Make me the McQueen of soaps!". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ Green, Kris (12 October 2007). "Bryan Kirkwood, 'Hollyoaks' Producer". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
- ^ "Jennifer Metcalfe". Inside Soap (16): 49. 21–27 April 2007.
- ^ "Bryan Kirkwood wants Girls Aloud on Hollyoaks". What's on TV. 25 November 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ^ Kris Green (30 October 2008). "'Late Night Hollyoaks' to get C4 run". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (11 October 2010). "Gossip and teasers from Hollyoaks press day". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (3 September 2011). "'Hollyoaks Later' Jennifer Metcalfe interview: Ibiza surprises for Mercedes". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ "Hollyoaks Later Episode 1 Radio Times". Radio Times. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 October 2019). "Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe shares more news on Hollyoaks Later returning". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "ITV1's Dancing on Ice 2011 line-up revealed". BBC.co.uk. (BBC). 19 December 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ Sperling, Daniel (6 February 2011). "Metcalfe makes shock 'Dancing On Ice' exit". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (26 August 2014). "Hollyoaks confirms McQueen family shake-up". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 February 2015). "Hollyoaks: Jennifer Metcalfe to make full-time return as Mercedes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ "Jermaine Pennant bids for starring role in Hollyoaks". Liverpool Echo. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Nattrass, JJ (26 February 2017). "Hollyoaks' Jennifer Metcalfe and former Geordie Shore cast member Greg Lake 'are expecting their first child'". The Mirror. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ Walford, Jessica (26 February 2017). "Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe 'pregnant with her first child' with Geordie Shore star Greg Lake". Metro. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ McLennan, Patrick (21 June 2020). "Hollyoaks' star Jennifer Metcalfe gives birth to a son". What's on TV. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ "Jennifer Metcalfe 'grows close' to Hollyoaks hubby after announcing Greg Lake split". Closer. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Collinson, Dawn (3 March 2010). "Hollyoaks actresses opening a new boutique called the closet". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Winners". British Soap Awards. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ Green, Kris (28 August 2009). "'EastEnders' tops Inside Soap Awards 2009". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Wightman, Catriona (13 July 2010). "In Full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 Nominees". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Daniel, Kilkelly (12 September 2020). "Coronation Street's Shelley King and Emmerdale's Emma Atkins receive Inside Soap Award nominations". Digital Spy.
External links
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