Emmerdale star Samantha Giles has explained why she's wearing a wig in her upcoming return as Bernice Blackstock.
Samantha – who will return to the village next week following her departure in 2019 – told Digital Spy and other media that the ITV soap's coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols are the reason she's not styling her own hair.
In an entirely relatable move, Samantha decided it would be easier to wear a wig than try to work with her own hair by herself.
"The hair, there's no point pretending that it's not a wig, because I'm sure Mrs Jones from Tunbridge Wells will be writing in saying, 'She's wearing a wig!'" the actress joked.
Related: Emmerdale reveals first look at Bernice Blackstock's return
"I had to have a wig really because I've got very, very, very thick, coarse, frizzy hair and I can't do it myself. Bernice is a hairdresser, so obviously she is not going to be seen looking anything less than having a coiffed look."
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She's got a point.
While putting on a wig might appear fairly straightforward, Samantha admitted that she's still receiving instructions from the crew.
"I've still got someone on the other end of a monitor saying, 'Can you tell Sam just to brush the wig and move these bits?'" she revealed. "So that has all been really hard.
Related: Emmerdale star Samantha Giles reveals Bernice will fight for Liam
"We have to do everything, really. We have to do all our own props, the costume, as nobody can touch us."
Samantha went on to add that she's looking forward to the hair and make-up teams taking over once again.
"It all sounds like we're being precious but if you have got a difficult or emotional scene, you don't want to be fannying about checking your blusher or your hair or that your collar's tucked inside your coat.
Related: 16 huge Emmerdale spoilers for next week
"You want to be concentrating on the lines and the work."
Bernice Blackstock's return to Emmerdale – and the inevitable ensuing drama – airs next Thursday (May 27).
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
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