Emmerdale star Jonny McPherson says he feels so protective of his on-screen daughter Mimi Slinger that he feels like he's actually her dad.
The actor who plays local GP Liam Cavanagh on the ITV soap first appeared in Emmerdale on a recurring basis in 2014 before becoming a regular in 2018.
Liam is the father of Leanna Cavanagh, played by Mimi Slinger. Liam dotes on his daughter on the show and is often seen putting the teen before anyone else.
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And the actors are just as close off-screen too.
Appearing on Lorraine this morning, Jonny told the breakfast show host of his close bond with his co-star after three years of working together.
Lorraine said: "I know how close you all are, it’s like your second family really, the cast and crew. You were saying that you feel like a dad to your on-screen daughter."
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Jonny explained: "I do, it's funny I was talking to Jeff who plays Cain the other day because we were filming a scene together.
"I was saying isn't it funny because he's obviously got a relationship with Charley who plays Debbie Dingle, you know he's been her fake dad for a long time.
"I've been Mimi's fake dad since she was 15 so for around three years now, and to watch them grow at that time.
"Also, all the scenes that you do, you are playing the part of a father so you sort of necessarily develop parental feelings.
"In terms of career and mentoring, the kids on the show, a lot of them don’t go to drama school, they’re thrown in at the deep end so it’s important to look after them as much as possible in terms of the process.
"She’s a wonderful wonderful girl, I feel very protective of her."
It comes ahead of dramatic upcoming scenes for Liam, who is set to marry his fiancée Leyla Harding.
But with his ex Bernice Blackstock desperate to win him back though, will the big day go ahead or will Bernice's plan to destroy the relationship materialise?
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
