British Soap Awards: Jacqueline Jossa defends herself after Hollyoaks "self-harm" comment

Jacqueline Jossa's comment to her EastEnders co-star was caught on camera at the British Soap Awards

Jacqueline Jossa at the Soap Awards

BBC

Published: Sunday, 3 June 2018 at 12:26 pm

EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa has been forced to defend herself after her comment about "self-harm" was caught on cameras at the British Soap Awards, sparking online outrage.

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The incident came as Hollyoaks was awarded the Best Storyline award for Lauren McQueen's character Lily Drinkwell and her self-harm storyline.

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But as the audience applauded, the camera panned to Jossa, who was sitting with her former EastEnders co-stars Lacey Turner and Jake Wood (aka Stacey Slater and Max Branning).

Speaking to Turner, Jossa appeared to say "I think they all self-harm on that show."

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After being called out online, Jossa – who played Lauren Branning – was forced to clarify her comments and explain the context.

EastEnders - Lauren and Abi

BBC/Dan Goldsmith

The pregnant soap star wrote in her Instagram story: "Just to clear things up, Lacey asked me what the storyline was, as we couldn’t hear. I answered with, I’m not actually sure, ‘I think they all self-harmed on that show’.

"I didn’t watch the show, I only went from the clip I saw previous, which involved three girls on a bed. I haven’t watched the show recently so don’t actually know, but always love it and wasn’t discrediting. I was literally answering what the storyline was.

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"I know that self-harm isn’t a joke, obviously, and love any soap that tackles hard stories. It’s been taken out of context! Jake Wood’s story involved self-harm too. I wasn’t hating, I was answering a question. Sorry for offence!!"

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Authors

Eleanor Bley GriffithsDrama Editor, RadioTimes.com

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