Hollyoaks bosses have officially announced the return of the soap's late night spinoff show Hollyoaks Later.

Channel 4 has commissioned a fifth series of the post-watershed drama, which will air on E4 in the autumn.

As with previous years, Hollyoaks Later will air as five hour-long episodes, transmitting on consecutive nights across one week in a 10pm timeslot.

Fan favourite Brendan Brady, played by Emmett Scanlan, will be among the characters taking centre stage this year.

Jane Steventon has joined Lime Pictures to work as the producer of Hollyoaks Later, while the series will be executive produced by the main show's bosses Emma Smithwick and Tony Wood.

Smithwick commented: "I am so excited for Hollyoaks Later this year. We have been planning the stories for a while, and so the late nights will give the characters a whole new playing field in terms of how we tell their tales.

"Expect a lot of humour and heartbreak for some of the sixth form boys, a good dose of Brady related darkness and a wild excursion for Mitzeee."

Marianne Buckland, commissioning editor for Channel 4, added: "This series of Hollyoaks Later represents the next turn of the wheel for the brand and promises a glossier, more grown-up feel.

"By their very nature, the lateness of Laters allows us to be that little bit more risky and with Brendan Brady at the helm - a character so suited to a post-watershed stint - this year is more dark and dangerous than ever."

The recommission follows the success of last year's series, which featured the McQueens' trip to Ibiza, Riley Costello's stag celebrations and Rae Wilson's death at the hands of serial killer Silas Blissett.

Hollyoaks Later is currently in pre-production and filming will begin in the summer.