Hollyoaks - Myra McQueen (played by Nicole Barber-Lane)

Meet Myra McQueen, the mummy bear of Hollyoaks.

Myra is the matriarch of Hollyoaks' most troublesome tribe: The McQueens. (That's Mercedes, Carmel, Jacqui, John-Paul, Phoebe and Theresa, in case you don't know).

Enjoying domestic chaos, she's fiercely protective of her family (even when they're in the wrong) and keeps them in line with a mixture of love, understanding and bacon sarnies – all three of which have been in great demand during her Hollyoaks reign, which spans divorce, murder, adultery and a long lost (and very angry about it) son!

Not that she ever lets her family's dramas come between her and a good time. Myra is always first on her feet for a good night out and a spot of karaoke – she has even enjoyed romances with some of the village's most eligible older bachelors, including Dirk Savage!

Myra's also known for her wonderful way with words. Our fave Myraism?
Myra: "...wherever they may take us, we will find our own way back.”
Martha: "Is that the Bible?”
Myra: "No, Boyzone.”

However rocky the road ahead may be, one thing's certain: Myra will do anything to keep the McQueens together – and Lord help whoever may try to break them apart.

Long live Myra McQueen!

About Nicole Barber-Lane

Prior to her role as Myra, Nicole played Mrs Harper in TV series Cops. She's also had parts in both Departure Lounge and Bodies.

Sum up your character in five words:

Religious, lioness, opportunist & big hearted.

On a scale of one to ten, how similar to your character are you? (tell us why)

5 out of 10. As a mum myself, I'm quite protective - I love family. We have a pretty open house in real life, too, and if friends or family need a place to stay then, like Myra, the door is always open.

Funniest moment on set:

Lots of laughs with the McQueen’s and co! I share the dressing room with Gemma Merna (Carmel) and Jorgie Porter (Theresa) sometimes we laugh so much at least two of us end up on the floor!

When Danny Mac (Dodger) first started, it was our first scene with him and he had to shout to us, topless, from the bedroom window of the McQueens’ house. He did it topless on his shot, but when the camera was on us he kept his shirt on! Gemma, Jorgie and I kept demanding for him to take his shirt off so we could act better, then Johnny Clarke (Bart) said he wanted Danny to take it off as well!! It was just so funny we cracked up. We were shocking! He kept his T-shirt on though. Shame on you, Danny!

Most embarrassing moment (in life, not on set):

Mainly mistaking people for other people or saying their name wrong or the wrong name altogether... I do this all the time!!

Biggest achievement:

Each achievement is very big at the time you achieve it... learning to drive, having children, marrying my husband, buying a house, getting a regular acting role in Hollyoaks. I think the best achievement is to be grateful to everything you have.

Fave Film:

Moulin Rouge