Hollyoaks General News Thread

[Perdita]

STRICTLY star Ricky Whittle "knocked a photographer down in frustration", a court heard today.

The former Hollyoaks actor, 30, is standing trial for allegedly knocking down Steve Farrell with his Red American Dodge car in Liverpool in November last year.

Ricky had been partying with pals and former girlfriend Carley Stenson at a bash for the teen soap at Parr Street Studios when the incident occurred.

Ricky was "working hard and in no mood for the paparazzi to take photographs of him and Miss Stenson together", said prosecutor Paul Becker at Liverpool Crown Court.

The actor was said to have agreed to pick up Carley and her friend as they emerged from the bash after he'd tried to lose the photographers.

But the snappers followed him and Mr Farrell started taking pictures, the jury heard.

He was said to be next to Ricky's left-hand drive Dodge, but not blocking it, when the car suddenly veered to the left and smashed into him.

CCTV footage of the incident was played in court.

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Strutting his stuff ... Ricky with dance partner Natalie Lowe
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The prosecutor added: "The prosecution's case is that the defendant, irritated by the presence of the paparazzi, had deliberately turned his wheel to the left in order to vent his frustration towards Mr Farrell.

"He deliberately turned his wheel to the left, knocking Mr Farrell to the ground."

The victim sprained his knee and hurt his hand and was treated at hospital.

Carley then phoned a photographer friend to find out what happened and found out that Mr Farrell had called the police.

Prosecutor Mr Becker later added that Ricky should have to face the drawbacks of a celebrity lifestyle, including being photographed.

He added: "This intrusive behaviour, you may think, will often cause great irritation to a celebrity. However, without the photographs, there would be no glossy magazines for members of the public to buy each week."

When the snapper was cross examined by the Strictly star's barrister, Stuart Driver QC, he said: "With celebrities, it's a game. That's what it is."

He then said he heard the engine revving before being thrown to the kerb.

Mr Farrell, who was punched in the face by Gazza in 2005, said Ricky had been professional and calm all the other times they'd run into each other.

He also said he would have stopped taking pictures if Ricky had asked him to, as he'd once agreed not to sell images of Hollyoaks stars drunk and covered in vomit.

The Strictly star went to St Helens Police Station voluntarily after the incident.

He denies dangerous driving.

The trial continues.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0w8aXxqvu

[Perdita]

Spoiler:

Northern Irish actor and wheelchair user Peter Mitchell has been cast in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

The 26-year-old, who previously played the role of Dan in disability-themed mockumentary Cast Offs, is to play a yet-to-be-announced character in the teen show after being recruited by producer Paul Marquess.

Mitchell has used a wheelchair since 2002, when he lost the ability to walk following a car crash. He landed his new TV part last week during a meeting with the Hollyoaks production team at the show's base in Liverpool.

Speaking of his casting, Mitchell told the Derry Journal: "I thought getting a part in Cast Offs was fantastic and then came a part in Doctors - but this is really big. This is a long term acting job - they don't come much bigger than this and I'm really excited about it.

"I went over last Thursday morning and met with the producer on the village set for the show. As soon as I walked through the door, he started to talk about my character and I soon discovered that the decision had already been taken to put me in the show."

He continued: "I'll need to move to Liverpool, I reckon that'll probably be at the end of October. I don't actually start filming until November and my character, which is being worked on at the minute, will not appear on the screen until late January or early February."

Mitchell is the latest in a long line of new signings which have been announced since Marquess took office at the teen soap in January.

[tammyy2j]

Isnt this a spoiler Perdy?

[Perdita]

I am sorry, clicked on wrong section. My apologies.

Maybe a mod could move it please, sorry. Thanks

[alan45]

Hollyoaks star Bronagh Waugh has revealed that she is a huge fan of EastEnders and Coronation Street.

The actress, who plays Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap, admitted that she watches both of the soaps' omnibus editions and thinks former Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood is doing a good job on EastEnders.

"Both EastEnders and Coronation Street are doing great - I try to watch the omnibuses. I'm friends with Corrie actor Craig Gazey, so I tune in to see what he's up to. Hollyoaks' old producer, Bryan Kirkwood, is now in charge at EastEnders, and I love what he's doing. Bringing back Kat and Alfie Moon is a stroke of genius."

Waugh added that she also writes scripts as well as acting, saying: "I actually wrote my own sketch show which the BBC was interested in, but it's been put on the back burner since I've been in Hollyoaks. I'd like to get back to writing that again, and hopefully I can get it commissioned sometime soon."