Major Brookside characters will make unexpected appearances in Hollyoaks next week, just months after the popular soaps crossed over.
The plotlines of both Channel 4 serials collided in October as part of Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary, which allowed for Brookside – which was axed in 2003 – to stage a mega return after two decades off air.
A number of iconic characters from the legendary Close, including the Sheila and Bobby Grant (Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson), returned for the occasion.
The historic episode revealed that Hollyoaks detective Donny Clark – played by star Louis Emerick – was actually his Brookie’s Mick Johnston (Louis’ Brookside alter-ego) this whole time.
And with the connection officially forged between the two soapy worlds, it was only a matter of time before we saw characters from Brookside pop up in Hollyoaks – which is exactly what happens next week.
Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) is on cloud nine after a date and she wastes little time in telling John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) all about it.
Later in the week, Brookside legend (Phillip Oliver) Tinhead springs out of her bedroom, much to Sienna Blake’s (Anna Passey) shock.
Sienna, meanwhile, heads to the allotment and gets set to destroy Jez Blake’s (Jeremy Sheffield) shed, but she soon hears movement and realises that someone is near.
Who?
Why, it’s Tinhead of course! Sienna spots the former Brookie stalwart driving off in a van. The question is: just what is he doing lurking around serial killer Jez’s shed?
Hollyoaks spoilers! Also in the village next week…
Cleo moves into the Blakes, which leaves Theresa worried that there could still be something between her and Dodger. Cleo assures Theresa that Dodger only has eyes for her.
At the school, Dee Dee gets detention for not doing her coursework and when Ant speaks up, he and Trina are also given detention.
Misbah and Vicky receive a visit from the police on the subject of their search for Donny as they grow suspicious that he could be involved in wider police corruption. Misbah finds out he spent the night in a cell and recalls the hidden money.
The week in question proves a traumatic one for Sienna when baby Joseph falls on the floor after Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) falls asleep.
Cleo, who was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis last year, blames Sienna for her new sleeping routine. Devastated over Cleo’s outburst, Sienna bites back, which leads to Cleo kicking her out.
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Sienna spends the night in the McQueens backyard and, after another showdown with Cleo, she seeks help from Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi), eager to know why her girlfriend is treating her this way.
Misbah wonders if she might be suffering from PTSD following her ordeal with Jez, which is ultimately what leads the florist to the shed when she spots Tinhead.
And speaking of Brookie faves, he’s not the only one to be referenced next week as Donny jumps into the back of Sinbad’s (Michael Starke) taxi, desperate to get away from the village.
Nikki Shadwick (Suzanne Collins) won’t be far behind as she appears in upcoming scenes, befriending Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) after they meet at a rehabilitation facility.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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