Hollyoaks' Gemma Merna keen for award

18 October 2007 - Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna has revealed her desire to win a top award for her role as Carmel McQueen.

The 23-year-old told the Daily Star that she wants the public to "take more notice" of her soap and hopes a gong at the National Television Awards will help with this goal.

"I'm telling anyone who will listen to pick up the phone and vote for me. I really want this one, not just for me but for Hollyoaks because I think we don't get the credit we deserve," she remarked.

"People just see us as a teen soap but we've got an amazing cast of great actors. If I win it will make people take notice of what we're doing."

She confessed that her mother and friends are also helping to convince everyone they know to vote for her.

Gemma will be competing in the category of Most Popular Newcomer, against Coronation Street's Kym Ryder, Emmerdale's Joseph Gilgun and Jo Joyner of EastEnders.

Hollyoaks is also up for Most Popular Serial Drama at the awards.

Since joining the cast of Hollyoaks in summer 2006, Gemma has won Best Comedy Performance in the British Soap Awards.

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