Emmerdale’s Kelli Hollis Reveals What It Was Really Like Working with ‘Scary’ Co-Star Shirley Stelfox
A Candid Look Back at Life in the Dales
Former Emmerdale actress Kelli Hollis has lifted the lid on her time in the Dales, recalling the “nerve-wracking” first day she met soap legend Shirley Stelfox, who played the iconic Edna Birch. Hollis, who portrayed Ali Spencer from 2011 to 2015, shared her memories in a new interview — including the hilarious encounter that turned a terrifying introduction into a lasting friendship.
Meeting the ‘Scary’ Edna Birch
When Kelli first joined the cast, she was warned about Shirley’s fiery personality. “Everybody sort of warned me,” she recalled. “They were like, ‘Just so you know, she’ll try and freak you out, she’ll try and scare you.’”
That warning echoed in Kelli’s mind when she found herself face-to-face with the veteran actress in the show’s smoking area. “I went, ‘Hi Shirley, I’m Kelly,’” she told The Daily Mail. “She was there with this beautiful mane of hair that you never saw on screen. She just looked at me and went, ‘Oh, is it you from that new, horrible effing family?’”
Kelli, caught off guard, fired back in good humor: “‘Yeah, I effing am! Do you know what I mean?’ And that was it.”
What could have been an awkward first meeting instead broke the ice. “That moment bonded us,” Kelli said fondly. “I absolutely adored Shirley.”
A Lasting Impression
Although Shirley was known for teasing new cast members, Kelli described her as a warm, sharp-witted presence behind the scenes. “She did like to playfully wind people up, but she had such an incredible energy. Once she liked you, she really looked out for you.”
Stelfox played Edna Birch on Emmerdale from 2000 until her death in 2015, following a battle with cancer. Known for her signature hat, sharp tongue, and hidden heart of gold, Edna remains one of the show’s most beloved characters.
Kelli’s Journey Beyond Emmerdale
Since leaving the soap, Kelli Hollis has continued to build an impressive television career, appearing in Shameless, Waterloo Road, Doctors, and Ackley Bridge. Though her character’s off-screen death in Emmerdale closed the chapter on Ali Spencer, Kelli still cherishes the years she spent in the village.
Reflecting on her time in the Dales, she said, “Working on Emmerdale was an incredible experience. The cast and crew were like a family, and Shirley was a huge part of that.”
A Cross-Soap Milestone: Corriedale
The interview coincides with ITV’s announcement of a historic crossover between Coronation Street and Emmerdale, titled Corriedale, set to air in early 2026. New images show Corrie’s DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) teaming up with Emmerdale’s Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) for a gripping, one-hour special filmed entirely at night.
Speaking about the event, Vicky Myers said: “To be involved in this bold, history-making episode is fantastic. When I read how the two