Hollyoaks General News Thread

[Bryan]

A news thread for all general peices of news regarding the show and the cast. I.e Digitial Spy news reports etc.

For big news stories, please feel free to set up a thread of it's own.

[Perdita]

Hollyoaks production house Lime Pictures have been commissioned to create another late night version of the Channel 4 soap.

The five-parter, which is currently in pre-production, is being headed up by former Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood and will air across five nights towards the end of September.

Last year's edition of Hollyoaks Later, produced by new Hollyoaks boss Lucy Allan, saw the return of Guy Burnet as Craig Dean to tie in with the shock climax to the Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane) plot.

[tammyy2j]

Gemma Bissix is to follow in the footsteps of Kelly Brook by heading to the West End.

The 25-year-old actress has landed the lead role in stage comedy Fat Pig, the position previously held by Kelly, 29.

Gemma, who has returned to Hollyoaks for a short stint, will travel around the UK with the company before performing in London.

She told pals of her new job at the opening of Jean-Christophe Novelli’s restaurant at Hotel Lorcrimar in Marbella.

One friend said: “It’s a great role for Gemma – she’s naturally funny.”

[Perdita]

Britain's Next Top Model hopeful Chloe Cummings is reportedly eager to land a role on Hollyoaks.

The 18-year-old, who is the cousin of former Top Model contestant Abbey Clancy, is one of the remaining 12 girls fighting it out to win a contract with Models 1.

Speaking to the Daily Star, she said: "I am not just a pretty face, you know.

"Ideally I would love to pop up on Hollyoaks but movies are my bigger dream."

Britain's Next Top Model continues next Monday at 9pm on Living.

[Perdita]

A Hollyoaks fan died of a drink and drugs overdose after developing an obsession with one of the soap's characters, an inquest has been told.

Lauren Fenton-Anderson, 24, was found dead at her home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent last August following an alcohol and painkillers binge.

The incident occurred after the interior design student became convinced that she was one of the Channel 4 show's troubled female characters, a coroner was informed this week.

Fenton-Anderson's boyfriend John Marshall confirmed that his partner became addicted to Hollyoaks while suffering from insomnia.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, deputy coroner Alan Blunsdon said: "She did take the tablets but didn't appreciate the effect of mixing them with alcohol."

[Perdita]

Actor Chris Fountain has expressed his excitement about what the future holds in life after Hollyoaks.

The 21-year-old, who plays Justin Burton, finished filming with the Channel 4 soap at the end of last month and bows out on screen in two weeks' time.

He said: "I've grown up playing Justin, so it's very odd that he'll be no more on the on-screen world. It is a bit weird, but I'm excited and looking forward to what may come from leaving."

However, he revealed that the prospect of having no work is just dawning on him, joking: "I only finished Hollyoaks about three weeks ago. After that I went to the Dancing On Ice tour and I only finished that on Tuesday, so I've only just started to realise that I've not got a job now! I'm going to sign on on Monday!"

[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."