Bernice initially thought she may have dementia (Picture: ITV)
Emmerdale’s Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) received the news that she’s going through the menopause with mixed feelings recently – partly because the diagnosis was delivered by her ex, Liam (Jonny McPherson) which has got to be awkward.
But along with relief that her brain fog and sudden mood swings aren’t down to dementia or a brain tumour or any of the other awful things she’d been worrying about, Bernice didn’t exactly welcome the news that she’s going through menopause.
This is something that Samantha Giles can relate to, as she told The Mirror.
‘It’s a tough one for women as you can lose your confidence or worry about your self-worth,’ said the actress, who says she is perimenopausal herself.
‘I get furious and anxious about things, which is obviously very common,’ she shared. ‘I had a brief rage in a chemist’s a couple of weeks ago,. I didn’t go as far as Bernice but sometimes, you do get into situations where you would like to scream.’
In the scene she’s talking about, Bernice became offended by an insensitive remark Bear (Joshua Richards) made and turned the hair-washing spray on him – soaking a prospective client of Mandy (Lisa Riley)’s by mistake.
Samantha says that because Bernice is known for being a funny character, she wanted to use this aspect to draw attention to the menopause. ‘I want to bring the funny side to even the darkest aspects of life,’ she said.
‘Hopefully, people will see elements of themselves in what is going on. I know I do. She has many of the common symptoms, like hot flushes, but I really want to show the serious side of what going through the menopause is like.
‘For women going through the menopause, it can be absolutely horrific. It can make you feel less feminine and you can fear your sexy days are over but, thankfully, there is a lot of help out there now.’
Samantha says that her husband and her friends have been ‘hugely supportive’ to her. ‘It’s so important to have a support network,’ she said. ‘Women do talk about things together – especially health.’
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She also copes by making sure she eats healthily and exercises – though she’s no fan of working out. ‘I would rather do anything other than go to the gym, but I make myself,’ she admitted.
As the story continues, Samantha hopes that viewers will relate to Bernice’s menopause experience.
‘I always try to stay truthful to the subject, like her menopause, but it is good to have some lighter moments too,’ she said. ‘I really enjoy playing Bernice so much. I always remain truthful to every subject, but I hope people see elements of themselves in her in the lighter moments too.
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Samantha discusses the importance of Bernice’s latest storyline as she experiences the menopause.
