'I'm so OK with turning 50'

Emmerdale actor Zoë Henry squeezes every bit of fun out of life, both on-screen and off

- By Sue Crawford

Not so long ago, female actors would feel the need to hide their age, worried about losing roles as they got older, but if Zoë Henry is anything to go by, times are changing and most definitely for the better.

The Emmerdale stalwart turns 50 this year but, rather than let her birthday slide by unnoticed, she's determined to celebrate her big day in style.

'I am so OK with it,' she says firmly. 'We're obsessed with age in our society, but getting older is a privilege denied to many, so I'm embracing turning 50.'

'It's a milestone, so I will grab it with both hands and celebrate it. Life is to be lived. I've got a few more wrinkles and a few more saggy bits, but I'm still here; I'm doing the things I love and I'm living my best life as best I can.'

Cheerful and positive, Zoë has been entertaining us on screen for decades. Many will remember her as Coronation Street's psychotic Casey Carswell, who abducted Ashley Peacock's baby, but these days she is best-known as Emmerdale's Rhona Goskirk.

During her time in the village, the long-suffering vet has been through four marriages, experienced drug addiction and coercive control - and even been run over by a tractor!

But while Zoë has enjoyed every second of filming the edge-of-your seat stories, she admits she's grateful that her own home life is considerably calmer.