How does Val's husband Eric react when she finally admits she might be HIV+?
It's so overwhelming, he waltzes out. That's what I loved about the storyline... it's unexpected. You wouldn't think 'Funny Val' would get HIV. When the guy she had an affair with in Portugal came to say, 'I'm HIV Positive...' her world fell apart.
How does she react to her diagnosis?
Val thinks it's a death sentence. Thank God advances in medicine mean the virus can be suppressed to the point it's hardly detectable. You can live a healthy life.
It's a timely story...
The over-50s are a growing risk group. Women who've spent their lives terrified about getting pregnant think they're past the menopause so it'll be alright. No, lasses, you have to have safe sex. That's the bottom line.
What's public reaction been like?
Vocal. A couple of weeks ago, a fella at a football match – my only social life at the minute – went to touch my arm to say, 'Hello!' and then went, 'Ooh, better not, I might catch something!' I said, 'We don't know she's HIV Positive, but – if she is – one thing's for sure: you don't catch it from touching. But you do catch it from unprotected sex... and that's not gonna happen, mate!'
Has it made you more health conscious?
I'm pretty savvy. In the mid-1980s, I was in Theatre-in-Education and we went into schools to allay fears about HIV and teach young women about safe sex.
How do you keep fit and healthy?
I've been vegetarian for 30 years and I'm a keen walker. Being in a vast landscape puts things in perspective.
Ant and Dec are the bee's knees!
Do you enjoy nights out with cast mates to wind down from such intense stories?
It's so full-on, I'm not able to dance on many tables at the moment. I'm pretty wound up. It helps going to Newcastle matches – you let off steam shouting. Once I find a Friday night when I haven't got work afterwards, I'll invite everybody for a dance-y night out – as long as it's a bit of Motown.
You got your first TV break in Byker Grove - how did it feel to see Ant and Dec get their Landmark National TV Award recently?
I was chuffed to bits; they're the bee's knees. I had two incarnations in Byker Grove – youth leader Sian and Dec's mam! They're very talented, genuine and humble and deserve it thoroughly. As kids, they had great energy and just sparkled. It's not surprising they've gone so far.
Emmerdale, weekdays, 7pm, ITV
By Katherine Hassell