John Paul McQueen (James Sutton)

[Perdita]

Hollyoaks fans will see John Paul McQueen return to the village later this year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

James Sutton has been back on set at the Channel 4 soap in recent days, having agreed to reprise the role after four years away.

Little is known about John Paul's return storyline, but it is thought that he will be back on screen in time for Christmas and remain back in the village for the foreseeable future.

John Paul is remembered as one of Hollyoaks' most popular characters, and his relationship with Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) resulted in a significant fanbase of 'McDean' supporters.

Sutton played the role between 2006 and 2008. In 2009, he was cast as Emmerdale's Ryan Lamb and appeared as the village mechanic until April 2011.

In recent months, the 29-year-old has made appearances on a number of shows including Holby City, Scott and Bailey and Bedlam, as well as launching his own pop-up acting company Broken Leg Workshops.

Sutton had often said that he was open to returning to Hollyoaks for the "right" storyline and entered talks with the programme's chiefs earlier in the year.

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.

[Katy]

Must be desperate for work

[tammyy2j]

He is one of the better characters on the show

[lizann]

another gay in the village keep him away from ste and brendan

[Perdita]

James Sutton's comeback storyline in Hollyoaks has "never been used in a soap", according to friend Pete Price.

Sutton's legendary character John Paul will return to the village before the end of the year, but the plot remains a secret.

Price, also a well-known local radio presenter, told the Liverpool Echo: "The role as John Paul is gritty, emotional, sympathetic, controversial with lots of snogging.

"The storyline that he is coming back with has never been used in a soap."

Price also confirmed the exact timing of Sutton's reprisal of his troubled character, adding that John Paul will be "back on screen just before Christmas".

John Paul fled the village after his half brother Niall killed his half sister during a church explosion.

James Sutton, whose return to Hollyoaks after four years was announced last month, starred as Emmerdale's Ryan Lamb between 2009 and 2011.

[Perdita]

Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood has said that he hopes viewers will grow to accept John Paul McQueen's return as a single man.

Last month, Digital Spy exclusively revealed that James Sutton had agreed to reprise his role as John Paul, who will be back on screen just before Christmas.

John Paul's relationship with Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) is still fondly remembered by fans, but as he is heading back to the village alone, it appears that things have not worked out for the popular couple.

Kirkwood, Hollyoaks' executive producer, told Inside Soap: "As writers and producers, we were just as big fans of Craig and John Paul's love story as the viewers were - but the fact is that James wanted to return and Guy Burnet didn't.

"I hope the audience gives us time to prove that it's the right decision. Just because it's the end of Craig and John Paul for now doesn't mean there aren't some great stories we can tell about John Paul as a single man."


Kirkwood (pictured left) added that John Paul may not be the only face from the past to reappear in the coming months.

Asked to name his favourite character, Kirkwood replied: "That's tough. I've got a really long list right now.

"And we're currently in discussions about which old favourites we can bring back, so watch this space!"

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.