Hollyoaks anniversary scripts rewritten as ideas scrapped and 'surprises' ahead

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

More than one Hollyoaks star told us bosses had made a number of changes to plans for the Channel 4 soap's 30th anniversary episodes, with scripts redone and storylines altered
Cast of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks have been kept in the dark about most of the soap's 30th anniversary plans, with many of the ideas apparently "rewritten" as the show goes all out for the big event.
According to more than one star of the soap, bosses have "gone back to the drawing board" and made a few changes to original plans. The show celebrates 30 years on air in October, with planning underway for an unmissable set of episodes.
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While one star of the show promised "shocking twists" and "big" scenes ahead, another cast member spilled that plans had been changed a couple of times, with bosses wanting to go all out to make the 30th a huge one for fans. According to the star, scripts have been edited, with the suggestion that ideas had been scrapped to make way for bigger and better twists and turns ahead.
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Another cast member backed the changes to the plans originally laid out, claiming she'd been told that the plans for the anniversary had "changed a few times". But it seems the plans are now all, if not mostly, set in stone with cast soon to find out exactly what is in store for them in the coming months.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Mercedes McQueen actress Jennifer Metcalfe was the first star to admit there'd been some changes where the 30th plans were concerned. She told us that she'd heard behind the scenes how plans had been changed more than once.
She teased: "I say don't tell me cos I am a blabbermouth so I say don't tell me the storylines. But I don't know yet what's happening with it, I've heard they've changed their minds a few times but that's all they are telling us."
Rex Gallagher actor Jonny Labey also said about the script and plan changes, telling us: "For the 30th it was announced there would be some fan involvement! To be honest we have had a lot of script editing and it's been back to the drawing board with some of the ideas.
"But it's all solidified now, the ideas are in place. We have got some time until October. The next couple of months we will start knowing a bit more and preparing for the 30th.
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"They are always gonna go big and the way the storylines are going at the moment, they are really powerful stuff, beautiful stuff, and amazing work from everyone, so it's on good trajectory. The 30th is a big year!"
Myra McQueen actress Nicole Barber-Lane didn't know too much, but she's thrilled to be back with the show and for the soap to still be on air 30 years on from the launch. She said: "I don't know what is gonna be happening, but it is important to celebrate how long we have been here.
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"Sometimes we put so much pressure on stuff but it doesn't need it. I don't know details but I know Hannah [Cheers, Hollyoaks' Executive Producer] has some big stuff lined up." We also got some big spoilers from Lucas Hay actor Oscar Curtis and Dillon Ray actor Nathaniel Dass about what fans can expect.
Oscar spilled: "We can't say what happens but we can say it's gonna be exciting." Nate then told us: "Listen, we hear things in and around the building. We hear some amazing stuff, and there is some really amazing stuff in store for Hollyoaks fans.
"I think something that happens is gonna actually be quite shocking. It is something to do with the show itself and to do with the characters. There is some really exciting stuff coming up, but we can't say what.
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"I can promise you there's gonna be some big surprises." Oscar added: "It's the 30th... you know what I mean?" Nate then teased: "I know for a fact the top dogs have some amazing stuff planned."
Tom Cunningham actor Ellis Hollins shared his surprise with us that his return storyline is linked to an upcoming storyline before the 30th, and not the big event itself like he thought. He explained: "When I got the call I was assuming it was something to do with the 30th, but it's still quite premature.
"So I'm hoping there's gonna be something related to it but maybe on the sidelines, like reacting to certain people and not being in a crash!"
Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4's streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.