For most actors, having a baby on set is a delight – they bring an element of surprise to scenes and no one can deny their cuteness. But for father-of-three Jay Kontzle, who plays Emmerdale’s Billy Fletcher, having children on set then going home to his own has been difficult at times – especially with the nature of his storyline, as Billy’s baby is diagnosed with leukaemia.
"At times this story does grate on me because I’m stressed about my own kids and making sure I’m spending enough time with them, because nothing’s certain, you don’t know what’s around the corner. I get home and it’s full on – one of my children doesn’t sleep at all. It’s more peaceful coming to work!”
Billy and Dawn are left fearing for their son as they realise there are gruelling treatments ahead. And Olivia reveals viewers are about to see another side to the couple. Jay and Olivia work with three children on set, Mabel Addison , Noah Ryan Aspinall , and the newest addition is Malachi McKenzie . “He’s a really good baby,” says Jay. “He cries on cue sometimes, it’s perfect. The only thing is that we rehearse with a doll, so when we start a take we’ll bring the baby in and he completely changes the delivery.”“I’ll have him in a carrier, and I’ll have to wait until he stops moving to deliver another line,” adds Jay. “It’s like an improv class.