A soap star has described the “emotional” moment she returned to her former school in Aberdeen to give a talk to its pupils.
Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace returned home to Aberdeen last month to lead the city’s first Grampian Pride parade, in an event she said she “never thought would happen”.
And as part of her visit she went to her old school, Aberdeen Grammar.
Annie, has played Hollyoaks High’s headteacher Sally St Claire for three years. She is the first transgender person to play a transgender character in a British soap.
The 53-year-old said: “Aberdeen is still a bit behind the times but I think Grampian Pride was a watershed moment. It’s something I never thought would happen in Aberdeen. LGBT people were in hiding when I was younger.
“Aberdeen is a far more cosmopolitan city and it’s lovely to see the progress.”
As part of her homecoming visit, Annie returned to her former school Aberdeen Grammar to present a talk on career goals.
She said: “I haven’t been back in 36 years and I was badly bullied while at school, so it was an emotional day.
“I had a meeting with the pupils and shared my experiences. I spoke about career and life goals, how to survive as an actor and how London is not the only place to do it. I had a tour and felt really proud of the school.”
Faculty head of performing arts at Aberdeen Grammar, Tina Mackay was delighted to welcome the famous alumnus.
She said: “Annie gave really engaging advice on how to get into acting and considering other routes into the career such as looking into the Scottish Conservatoire in Glasgow. She had everyone listening intently.”