Emmerdale fans will see Tracy Metcalfe arrested after defending her friend in a racist attack this week.
But Amy Walsh, who plays her, admits she’d think twice about stepping in and being a hero in real life – because of Britain’s knife crisis.
Amy, sister of Girls Aloud singer Kimberley, says the violence and stabbings on the streets has made her fearful of defending others.
“I’d like to think I’d stick up for someone but equally you have to be quite careful,” Amy,31, said.
“I’d think twice. If someone was seriously at risk I think I would keep quiet unless it affected me, which is a sad thing.
“It’s a sign of society. It’s very dangerous out there.
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“If someone says something I didn’t agree with, I’ll defend myself.
"But you have to be careful. Don’t try to be the hero when it’s not your argument to fight.”
On Friday’s show, Tracy will get in trouble with the law after standing up for love interest Billy.
The police get a call after someone reports him for acting suspiciously around children in a park.
Convinced racism is the reason for it, Tracy confronts the parent – and gets cuffed.
“She’s really offended on behalf of Billy,” explained Amy.
“This woman is treating him differently so Tracy jumps to his defence.
“She doesn’t think she’s doing anything wrong. She’s come from the streets so she’s protective of the people she loves.”
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Amy gave big sis Kimberley, 37, a run for her money when she took part in All Star Musicals last weekend, performing Don’t Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl.
“I’ve never seen myself as a singer. It was a nice personal challenge. Performing at the London Palladium – box ticked.”
But she revealed that the emotional arrest scenes on the soap almost scuppered her chances of performing.
“I lost my voice screaming in the park when I’m arrested,” she said.
“Then I went to rehearsals and couldn’t perform because I’d been shouting all week.
“I didn’t have a voice for a couple of days.”
And although Tracy is currently single in the soap, Amy is hoping she gets back together with husband David, played Matthew Wolfenden.
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She says she sees them as Yorkshire’s answer to Ken and Deirdre from Coronation Street .
“When they split us up there was always the possibility they’d get back together.
“They’re good friends still, which is nice. It’s nice to show that people can be amicable after a split.
“It will be interesting to let it run long, like in a few years when they’ve grown up. Like Ken and Deirdre.
"I think it could be like that. I’ve just pitched for a job for the next decade!”
