Emmerdale actress Samantha Giles who plays Bernice Blackstock recently revealed the reason she was wearing in a wig in the ITV soap and it sparked a fierce backlash from viewers.
And now the 49-year-old has confirmed she has ditched the hairpiece following the online abuse she received.
Samantha revealed the reason she wasn't styling her own hair was due to to Emmerdale's coronavirus protocols.
But now that bosses have relaxed restrictions, she is able to resume having her hair professionally styled twice for her role as the village's local hairdresser.
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The actress temporarily opted to wear a wig rather than attempt to style her notorious locks herself while the show's hair and makeup department were unable to work, The Mirror reports.
Samantha said: “The wig has had more publicity than anything at the moment. I had the latest message from upstairs, as we call them, to say, ‘Just do whatever it takes, just get the wig off her.’
“So I’m allowed to have my hair blow dried twice a week.
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“It will be one of two people who does it, so it’s still very Covid safe. I still have to do my own make-up, but at least I get my hair done. Thank goodness.”
Fans had taken a pop at Samantha’s wig.
One wrote: “I hope ITV are prepared to spend some money digitally removing Bernice’s awful wig from all future episodes.”
Another posted: “Can’t she just do her own hair? The wig was not a good look.”
Samantha had insisted the wig was necessary for Bernice due to the lack of a proper hairdresser service.
Speaking on podcast The God Cast, she added: “I can’t do my own hair, it’s very thick. Bernice is obviously a hairdresser, and her look is very coiffed.
“So the make-up department knew I wouldn’t be able to do my hair. The wig was the best option.” But earlier this month, Samantha – who resumed filming on Emmerdale in May – earlier admitted it had been “a nightmare” wearing it.
She told This Morning: “I’ve had a lot of flak about it, the wig, actually.”
Samantha has now played Bernice for three stints. She first appeared in 1998 and in her first stint went on to marry vicar Ashley Thomas and had their daughter Gabby.
Bernice memorably cheated on Ashley with her sister Nicola's fiance Carlos, ultimately culminating with her leaving Emmerdale in 2004.
The redhead made a comeback in 2012 and later opened a salon in the Dales, had romances with Andy Sugden and Lawrence White, and almost married Dr Liam Cavanagh before departing the show once more in 2019.
Bernice made her latest return earlier this year amid Liam's newfound love with Leyla Harding.
However, despite Bernice making a show on the new couple's wedding day and trying to prove her own love for Liam, he still married Leyla.
Yet, fans remain convinced that the doctor may still hold a torch for his former love after scenes on the wedding day.
*Emmerdale airs on ITV and this week's episodes are currently available on ITV Hub.
