Hollyoaks' Jennifer Metcalfe opens up about her 'difficult' maternity leave
She's heading back to the soap soon
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier today to talk about her return to the soap as Mercedes McQueen.
Jennifer, who has played the character since 2006 on the Channel 4 soap, has spent the last 12 months at home on maternity leave with her one-year-old son, Daye, after giving birth last June.
But 35-year-old Jen, who shares Daye with her former Geordie Shore star partner Greg Lake, has admitted that she "struggled" with maternity leave, and found it very "isolating."
Speaking on the show this morning (13th August), Jennifer confessed that her 12 months off were far from plain sailing. She said, "My maternity leave was was so difficult. My little boy never kept still, he screamed his life away for six months.
"He didn't sleep very good. I was in Newcastle as well. I had Greg and his family and I've made a few friends but it wasn't like being at home. It is quite isolating."
Jennifer added that she'd been looking forward to going back to work two months ago, saying, "I love my little boy, I love my time with him, but to be back out there with my mates..."
Check out these celebrities who have welcomed babies in 2018...
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West welcomed their third child via a surrogate in January. The couple later confirmed they've called her Chicago West.
Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr
Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine welcomed her second child into the world in October, a baby girl called Hilda.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West welcomed their third child via a surrogate in January. The couple later confirmed they've called her Chicago West.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a baby boy at 11.01am on Monday 23rd April. They decided to call him Prince Louis.
Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy
Footballer Peter Crouch and model Abbey Clancy welcomed their third child into the world in January, a baby boy called Johnny.
Natasha Bedingfield
'Unwritten' singer Natasha Bedingfield welcomed her first child into the world in January.
Ore and Portia Oduba
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba and his wife Portia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Roman.
Gaz Beadle and Emma McVey
Former Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle became a dad for the first time when his girlfriend Emma McVey welcomed a baby boy called Chester Raymond in January.
Danny and Georgia Jones
McFly star Danny Jones and his wife Georgia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Cooper Alf in January.
Heidi Range and Alex Patakis
Former Sugababes singer Heidi Range and her husband Alex Partakis welcomed a baby girl into the world called Aurelia Honey Partakis.
Aston Merrygold and Sarah Richards
Former JLS singer and 2017 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Aston Merrygold and his partner Sarah Richards welcomed a baby boy called Grayson Jax.
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott
After keeping her pregnancy a 'secret' for nine months, Kylie Jenner revealed she welcomed a baby girl called Stormi with her boyfriend Travis Scott on 1st February.
Coleen and Wayne Rooney
After a turbulent 2017, Coleen and Wayne Rooney welcomed their fourth child in February, a baby boy called Cass Mac.
Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo
Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo welcomed their second child into the world in February 2018. The couple welcomed a baby girl called Gio Grace.
Robin Thicke and April Love Geary
'Blurred Lines' singer Robin Thicke and his girlfriend April Love Geary welcomed a baby girl called Mia into the world in February.
Zoe and Brendan Cole
Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe welcomed a baby boy in March.
Katherine Jenkins and Andrew Levitas
Singer Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas welcomed a baby boy into the world in April, calling him Xander Robert Selwyn Levitas.
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
Khloe Kardashian welcomed her first child with her boyfriend Tristan Thompson. The couple called their daughter True Thompson.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcomed their second child together on the 17th May. Chrissy later revealed the baby's name was Miles Theodore Stephens.
Adam and Caroline Thomas
Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and his wife Caroline welcomed their second child into the world in May, a baby girl!
Cher Lloyd
Former** X Factor** star Cher Lloyd welcomed a baby girl called Delilah-Rae with her husband Craig Monk in May.
Eva Longoria Bastón and José Bastón
Eva Longoria Bastón and her husband José welcomed a baby boy called Santiago Enrique Bastón into the world on Tuesday 19th May.
Zara and Mike Tindall
Zara and Mike Tindall welcomed their second daughter into the world in May.
The news was released in a statement by Buckingham Palace, it read, 'Mrs Michael Tindall was safely delivered of a baby girl on 18th June, at Stroud Maternity Unit. Mr Tindall was present at the birth. The weight of the baby was 9lbs 3oz.
Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair
Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and her fiancé Scott Sinclair welcomed their second child into the world in June, a baby girl called Delilah Ruby Sinclair.
Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty
Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty welcomed their second child in June, a baby boy called James Patrick Kielty.
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne
EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa welcomed her second daughter into the world with her husband Dan Osborne. The couple decided to call her Mia.
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black announced the birth of their first child with some very cute photos. The baby was named Robbie Ray Black-Daley. Robert is the name of Tom's late dad and also his middle name.
Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato
Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato welcomed their third child, a little girl, in July 2018. Luisana took to Instagram to post a photo of the little girl's hand, showing her hospital band.
Joe Wicks AKA The Body Coach and Rosie Jones
Joe Wicks and his girlfriend Rosie Jones announced their pregnancy in May 2018, and she gave birth to their daughter two months later on 29th July.
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews
Newlyweds Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on September 5th.
Robbie and Ayda Williams
After keeping the pregnancy a secret, Robbie and Ayda welcomed a baby girl called Collete (Coco) Josephine Williams, via a surrogate in September.
Christine and Frank Lampard
TV presenter Christine Lampard and her husband, former England footballer Frank Lampard, welcomed their first child together in September. The pair welcomed a baby girl into the world called Patricia Charlotte Lampard.
Josie Gibson
Former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson welcomed a baby boy called Reggie-James in September. Her waters broke at her baby shower!
Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa
American actress Kate Hudson and her boyfriend Danny Fujikawa welcomed a baby girl into the world in October. The couple decided to call her Rani Rose Hudson.
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on Monday 15th October, the same day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirmed they were expecting.
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma
Former Disney star Hilary Duff announced that she'd given birth to a baby girl with her boyfriend Matthew Koma, who she's been in a relationship with since January 2017. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, 'Banks Violet Bair❤️ this little bit has fully stolen our hearts! She joined our world at home on Thursday afternoon and is absolute magic ✨' sic
Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr
Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine welcomed her second child into the world in October, a baby girl called Hilda.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West welcomed their third child via a surrogate in January. The couple later confirmed they've called her Chicago West.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a baby boy at 11.01am on Monday 23rd April. They decided to call him Prince Louis.
Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy
Footballer Peter Crouch and model Abbey Clancy welcomed their third child into the world in January, a baby boy called Johnny.
Natasha Bedingfield
'Unwritten' singer Natasha Bedingfield welcomed her first child into the world in January.
Ore and Portia Oduba
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba and his wife Portia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Roman.
Gaz Beadle and Emma McVey
Former Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle became a dad for the first time when his girlfriend Emma McVey welcomed a baby boy called Chester Raymond in January.
Danny and Georgia Jones
McFly star Danny Jones and his wife Georgia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Cooper Alf in January.
Heidi Range and Alex Patakis
Former Sugababes singer Heidi Range and her husband Alex Partakis welcomed a baby girl into the world called Aurelia Honey Partakis.
Aston Merrygold and Sarah Richards
Former JLS singer and 2017 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Aston Merrygold and his partner Sarah Richards welcomed a baby boy called Grayson Jax.
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott
After keeping her pregnancy a 'secret' for nine months, Kylie Jenner revealed she welcomed a baby girl called Stormi with her boyfriend Travis Scott on 1st February.
Coleen and Wayne Rooney
After a turbulent 2017, Coleen and Wayne Rooney welcomed their fourth child in February, a baby boy called Cass Mac.
Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo
Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo welcomed their second child into the world in February 2018. The couple welcomed a baby girl called Gio Grace.
Robin Thicke and April Love Geary
'Blurred Lines' singer Robin Thicke and his girlfriend April Love Geary welcomed a baby girl called Mia into the world in February.
Zoe and Brendan Cole
Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe welcomed a baby boy in March.
Katherine Jenkins and Andrew Levitas
Singer Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas welcomed a baby boy into the world in April, calling him Xander Robert Selwyn Levitas.
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
Khloe Kardashian welcomed her first child with her boyfriend Tristan Thompson. The couple called their daughter True Thompson.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcomed their second child together on the 17th May. Chrissy later revealed the baby's name was Miles Theodore Stephens.
Adam and Caroline Thomas
Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and his wife Caroline welcomed their second child into the world in May, a baby girl!
Cher Lloyd
Former** X Factor** star Cher Lloyd welcomed a baby girl called Delilah-Rae with her husband Craig Monk in May.
Eva Longoria Bastón and José Bastón
Eva Longoria Bastón and her husband José welcomed a baby boy called Santiago Enrique Bastón into the world on Tuesday 19th May.
Zara and Mike Tindall
Zara and Mike Tindall welcomed their second daughter into the world in May.
The news was released in a statement by Buckingham Palace, it read, 'Mrs Michael Tindall was safely delivered of a baby girl on 18th June, at Stroud Maternity Unit. Mr Tindall was present at the birth. The weight of the baby was 9lbs 3oz.
Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair
Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and her fiancé Scott Sinclair welcomed their second child into the world in June, a baby girl called Delilah Ruby Sinclair.
Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty
Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty welcomed their second child in June, a baby boy called James Patrick Kielty.
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne
EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa welcomed her second daughter into the world with her husband Dan Osborne. The couple decided to call her Mia.
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black announced the birth of their first child with some very cute photos. The baby was named Robbie Ray Black-Daley. Robert is the name of Tom's late dad and also his middle name.
Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato
Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato welcomed their third child, a little girl, in July 2018. Luisana took to Instagram to post a photo of the little girl's hand, showing her hospital band.
Joe Wicks AKA The Body Coach and Rosie Jones
Joe Wicks and his girlfriend Rosie Jones announced their pregnancy in May 2018, and she gave birth to their daughter two months later on 29th July.
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews
Newlyweds Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on September 5th.
Robbie and Ayda Williams
After keeping the pregnancy a secret, Robbie and Ayda welcomed a baby girl called Collete (Coco) Josephine Williams, via a surrogate in September.
Christine and Frank Lampard
TV presenter Christine Lampard and her husband, former England footballer Frank Lampard, welcomed their first child together in September. The pair welcomed a baby girl into the world called Patricia Charlotte Lampard.
Josie Gibson
Former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson welcomed a baby boy called Reggie-James in September. Her waters broke at her baby shower!
Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa
American actress Kate Hudson and her boyfriend Danny Fujikawa welcomed a baby girl into the world in October. The couple decided to call her Rani Rose Hudson.
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on Monday 15th October, the same day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirmed they were expecting.
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma
Former Disney star Hilary Duff announced that she'd given birth to a baby girl with her boyfriend Matthew Koma, who she's been in a relationship with since January 2017. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, 'Banks Violet Bair❤️ this little bit has fully stolen our hearts! She joined our world at home on Thursday afternoon and is absolute magic ✨' sic
Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr
Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine welcomed her second child into the world in October, a baby girl called Hilda.
Jennifer's first scenes back as Mercedes after being away from the show since last July will see her throwing herself a hen party in Majorca for her upcoming nuptials to her teenage sweetheart Russ Owen, played by Stuart Manning, who starred on the show from 2004 to 2009 and is set to reprise his role later this year.