RUBY O’Donnell will be celebrating a year on Hollyoaks in August.

The 13-year-old, from Appleton, has already had some shock storylines to get her teeth into in the award-winning soap.

Millions watched when her character Peri Lomax discovered her dad kissing another man and has even battled a brain tumour.

But Ruby told Weekend that treading the boards in Warrington is still one of her highlights.

The former Grappenhall Heys Primary pupil will appear as Attina, one of Ariel’s younger sisters, in Little Stars’ The Little Mermaid at Parr Hall on July 13 and 14.

“I love being on stage,” said Ruby.

“I’ve always loved singing, acting and dancing and it is very different to being in front of the camera because it’s live.

“With Hollyoaks you can redo a scene but if you’re on stage you’ve got one shot at it so it keeps you on your toes. Plus all my family and friends are there so it’s great.”

Ruby got her role in Hollyoaks in August 2013 and her first scene was aired in October.

She added: “When I got the call I just burst into tears. I didn’t really know what to do because I was so shocked and excited.

“I was so nervous on my first day. It was very overwhelming, I’d never done anything like that before.”

But Ellis Hollins, who has been on the soap since he was a baby, has taken Ruby under his wing.

“He’s been teaching me what to do so that’s been lovely,” said Ruby, whose dream role would be to appear in Wicked on Broadway.

“Everyone on Hollyoaks has been so nice to me. Everything was new to me at first because it was my first TV work and they were so supportive. It’s been amazing.”

Warrington’s Little Stars Stage School ignited Ruby’s love of acting when she was 10.

But she did not think of it as a profession until her teacher Lauren suggested she try out for an agency.

After a successful audition, Ruby joined Screen Management at Media City when she was 12.

She added: “I did a workshop with them and I started acting and I just loved it and wanting to carry on with it. That’s when it hit me that I wanted to be an actress.”

Ruby also thanked teachers at Bridgewater High School for their support.

For more information about Little Stars, visit littlestarsstage school.com.