Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road star reveals life changing health diagnosis
FORMER HOLLYOAKS star Hollie-Jay Bowes revealed that she’s been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The actress – who played Michaela McQueen in the Channel 4 soap – said she was relieved to receive the news after being on a waiting list for three years.
Hollie-Jay, 34, who also plays Debs Rafferty in the new series of BBC’s Waterloo Road, will be part of a new storyline with pupil Kelly Jo Rafferty, played by Alicia Forde, in which she learns whether she has ADHD.
She said she was proud to be involved in the story because she she could relive her “undiagnosed youth”.
She shared a photo with her on-screen daughter Alicia and wrote: “I have some official news today. After three years of being on the waiting list and many unofficial diagnosis’s from various doctors, one being my autism psychiatrist, the NHS have finally diagnosed me with ADHD.
“I Couldn’t think of a better day to get this news. Tune into Waterloo Road tonight at 8pm.”
She continued: “Alicia Forde has some absolute BITS for you to watch. Doing this story line with her has meant I’ve had the honour of reliving my undiagnosed youth, on screen, through her…. I didn’t get the support Kelly Jo did though.
“When I tell you I’ve balled my eyes out during this whole process, I would not be lying. She’s bloody amazing.
“The closure has felt real.
“ADHD awareness shout out to @henrys_cat for telling me pursue it when I was living at his, watching the news, upside down on his sofa.”
Since the school drama returned earlier this year, viewers have watched Kelly Jo appear disruptive in class, with her emotional outbursts often landing her in hot water.
Her teachers suspect she had ADHD and refer her for an assessment to get her the help she needs.
Waterloo Road fans will be seeing more of Hollie-Jay in the coming weeks, after she confirmed she had been signed for the series.
Hollie previously told fans: “I’m overwhelmed by your love for our Debs and Kelly-Jo.
“Alicia Forde, remember her name, you’ve seen nothing yet. She is a force to be reckoned with and a shining light to work along side. Being your mum this last year has been a pleasure.”
Hollie also took to her Instagram Stories after her debut hit BBC1.
She wrote: “Meet my latest character. I love her with all my heart. Deb.”
She also shared a cast picture of Kym and her on-screen kids, Preston (Noah Valentine) and Tonya (Summer Violet Bird), writing: “I wonder where they’re going…”
Hollie-Jay starred in Hollyoaks as Michaela, the youngest of the McQueen sisters, on and off between 2006 and 2012.