Daytona Lights

[Perdita]

Hollyoaks bosses have announced that five-piece band Daytona Lights are joining the cast of the soap.

The group will arrive on screens later in the autumn, playing characters who will eventually form a band within the show.

In real life, Daytona Lights formed back in 2009 after meeting at drama school in Hackney. They are currently signed to Hubris Records.

Speaking of his group's new role on Hollyoaks, lead singer Danny Lawrence commented: "It's a great opportunity for us to get our music out to a mass audience and that's what every musician wants.

"If people like it then that's a bonus and we are obviously enjoying the lifestyle Hollyoaks brings - everyone has been so welcoming."

Lawrence's bandmates are Matt Gill, Laurence Saywood, Sam Fordham and Louis Souyaye. All five will be playing characters who resemble their real-life selves.

A Hollyoaks statement said: "The boys all trained at critically acclaimed drama school East 15 so are no strangers to the acting world, and are set to play their way into the hearts of Hollyoaks fans everywhere as they launch into the limelight."

Daytona Lights will also be appearing on today's episode of The Hollyoaks Music Show, which airs at 8.55am on Channel 4.

[Perdita]

Hollyoaks band Daytona Lights are to make another appearance on the soap.

The real-life group, who were written into the Channel 4 show for a three-month stint last year, recently filmed scenes at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire alongside members of the Hollyoaks cast.

Reports suggest that the five-piece performed a set in front of the aquarium's giant underwater window for an episode which will air later this year.

Savage family actors Danny Mac (Dodger), Abi Phillips (Liberty) and Joe Tracini (Dennis) were among the regulars involved in the filming.

Blue Planet spokesperson Rebecca Wade told the Ellesmere Port Pioneer: "Obviously we're not allowed to give away any of the plotlines, but they did film a number of scenes at a variety of different locations throughout the aquarium and everyone seemed very pleased with the end results.

"It was great to be able to play host to such a well-loved soap opera which is filmed so locally to us.

"Hollyoaks have filmed here in the past, but this is the first time they have done such a major storyline with us and it's also a great showcase for the aquarium and its displays."

Hollyoaks fans saw Daytona Lights leave the village at the beginning of January, as they moved to London for their big break.