Fair City star Rebecca Grimes admits to channelling her inner Marilyn Monroe to play feisty pub landlady Hayley Collins.
The 35-year-old, known for her trademark pout in the RTE soap, said she’d love to see her on screen character finally getting lucky in love.
Rebecca has played Hayley since 2015 and has had more than her fair share of heartache.
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Hayley was recently dumped by Jon who flew to Dubai to be with his ex Mel.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Hayley would love a partner for that support to get her through things. She’s been through such a tough time, it would be nice for her to have somebody.
“I’d love to see her have a romance and have that fun and the excitement of falling in love. I guess I am [channelling Marilyn Monroe] when it comes to Hayley’s love life.
“Marilyn never seemed to have any luck on the romantic side of things unfortunately.”
But Rebecca, who has appeared in Ripper Street, Vikings and Damo & Ivor: The Movie, said she’s a far cry from spitfire Hayley in real life.
She revealed: “It’s nice to play a sexy character like Hayley, but I love to be make-up free too in my real life.
“I find I do that a lot in my own time. I’m in the gym or jumping into the sea or doing the garden, it’s not nearly as glamorous.
“I can be a bit feisty but I’m not confrontational like Hayley. I suppose I could do with a bit of that in real life to help me.”
The Collins clan is one of the newer families in Carrigstown but it hasn’t stopped them from having their fair share of drama.
After learning her aunt Ger Lynch was her biological mother, Hayley was attacked by Will Casey – resulting in his murder. Now she is struggling to support her mother Sharon and dad Anto who is caught in a crippling gambling addiction.
Rebecca reckons the key to the show’s longevity is the fact that “they try to document real Irish stories”.
She added: “I think people like to see their own story told back to them to make sense of it.
“It’s relevant, recognisable and entertaining. I did a bit of research on addiction to make sure I was doing the storyline a bit of justice.
“It’s such a big subject matter, you have to make sure you handle it as sensitively as you can.
“People don’t always get it right in those situations. Sometimes people get it wrong in real life too.”
Commenting on Hayley’s tough love approach, Rebecca revealed: “It might not necessarily be what I would do in a situation personally but I have to honour my character.
“It’s just so sad, it’s having a devastating effect on the whole family and tearing them apart. It’s so tragic because she had a great relationship with the whole family.
“They always got on so well, he’s always been in her corner,
“With everything she’s been through with Ger and with Liam.
“They always had each other’s backs and it’s really sad to see that relationship break down.”
Gaiety School of Acting graduate Rebecca said she wouldn’t say no if Hollywood came knocking, but for now she’s happy to be “in the middle of an exciting storyline”.
And she’s more than ready to turn her hand to one of her varied other professions if the acting gig dries up.
She said: “You have to accept that acting is a rollercoaster.
“I turn my hand to anything, I’ve done nails and lashes and I’m a fitness instructor. My sister Vicky worked in a barber’s and I was a junior.
“I always had it on the sideline, I love doing courses and learning new things.
“I’d love to follow in Claudia Carroll’s footsteps, I do a bit of writing, but I’ve such respect for anyone who writes a novel. The discipline involved, I’m in awe of her.”
Rebecca typically works 12-14 hour days on set and loves hanging out with her boyfriend Paul on her rare days off. The pair were recently photographed together but Rebecca said they’ve been dating for ages and just opted to stay out of the spotlight.
She said: “Paul and I are together years, we hadn’t really been to any events during the pandemic..”
A return to shooting scenes in the interior of McCoy’s pub means Hayley is back behind the bar pulling pints.
She said: “I remember feeling wow when I saw the set too and McCoy’s, these are such iconic landmarks that we’ve grown up with and seen.
“Then you’re on the set and you think Oh my God, it feels far smaller, it’s amazing the size of the pub.
“I love a night out as much as the next person, but when you’re in here you can’t be tired.
“It’s all about getting enough sleep and rest, the hours are really long, you have to be firing off all cylinders.
“But maybe that’s just about getting older and getting sense. You make friends for life on Fair City.”
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