Bryan Kirkwood Producer's Perspective on 2008 and **SPOILERS** for 2009

[moonstorm]

What can we expect from the first part of 2009?
"Next year gets off with a bang as we blow Sarah and Zoe's late-night liaison out of the water. There was always a danger with that story that we'd re-tread the same ground that we did with John Paul and Craig. So we decided to play it completely differently. We started with a sexual encounter, which surprised everyone including the characters, and then we'll work in a completely different direction.

"This one's a story about Sarah. Long has both Loui and Sarah faced the criticism that she's there to react to everyone's situations, so 2009 will be the year where we see what she's capable of. She's an outstanding actress and it's about time that she had a storyline that puts her into focus. A girl who's always borne the brunt of other men's' decision-making and treatment of her is now a lost and slightly embittered girl who doesn't know her own mind. 2009 will see Sarah making her own decisions and taking control. I can't wait to see it.

"As I said, romance plays a big part in 2009, too. The key romance will be Justin and Hannah. We'll see them dancing around each other for quite some time. It's going to be an important relationship which sees them both running to escape their pasts. I've seen the first couple of scenes with them and you can see that their eyes are alive as they embark on this storyline. It's about time that both of them returned to the centre of the show. YAY I have always thought they should get together

"Also on the cards, Warren loses his grip and the walls begin to close in on in courtesy of Calvin; Theresa finds herself a pawn in Ste's game to win back Amy, while Amy faces a choice between good and evil - and evil's not necessarily who you'd expect it to be; Darren's released from prison and pledges to win the pub back (again!); there's a newbie in town who Steph falls head over heels for; and Ravi's secret is finally exposed."

[tammyy2j]

OMG Justin and Hannah

[Chris_2k11]

OMG Justin and Hannah

I was thinking before that these two could be good together!

[xxOShelleyOxx]

I wish Darren would give up on that pub lol. But to be fair it was his fault they lost it in the first place.

[Energy jobs]

"It has to be the McQueen/Niall story, which ended up linking to the Newt/Osborne storyline. It dominated the year and culminated in the very successful church stunt in October, which was a really fantastic climax to a story. Barry Sloane was just amazing and proved that he is just as good as any other actor on TV. I honestly believe that. I hope he takes what he did on Hollyoaks as a launch pad for a long and successful career."Without question, it has to be Tom asking Steph if she'll be his mum just after Max died. It sums up what Hollyoaks is all about - lots of heart, relationships, friendships, love and loss. I thought that Carley Stenson was outstanding during that storyline and broke my heart during that scene. Ellis also took his performance to new levels."

[HARRI3T]

Aww Justin and Hannah Youu Can Alreadyy See The Sexual Tension Wen They Were Doing Carmels Nativity . Cant Wait For These 2 Although Shes Leaving In Summer 09 I Think .

[Emmie]

Im gutted that Emma quit! its such a shame, shes a well good actress x

[DaVeyWaVey]

Doesn't sound very exciting to be honest, though I'm glad Justin and Hannah are going to get together. They will make a very good couple. Just a shame that Emma is leaving the show.