October 2007
Hat-rick for James Suttoncompleted with shortlist nomination at the NTAs: Hollyoaks actor James Sutton completed a treble of nominations for ‘Best Actor’ this year by being short listed at the forthcoming National TV awards. James, who plays John Paul McQueen, becomes the first ever Hollyoaks actor in the show’s 12 year history to have picked up three major nominations for ‘Best Actor’ in a year. He will face tough competition against Eastenders Charlie Clement, Coronation Street Anthony Cotton and favourite David Tennant of Doctor Who. Earlier this year, James was short listed for ‘Best Actor’ at both the Inside Soap awards and the British Soap awards. Hollyoaks Gemma Merna , who plays Carmel McQueen also received a nomination at the National TV awards as she is up ‘Most Popular Newcomer’. Gemma, who plays Carmel McQueen on the show, won the ‘Best Comedy Performance’ at the British Soap awards earlier this year. Hollyoaks is up for ‘Best Serial Drama’ for the fifth consecutive time after being first nominated back in 2003. Only Eastenders and Coronation Street received more nominations than Hollyoaks from the shortlist. The ceremony takes place on the 31st October and voting is now open at itv.com/nta as Hollyoaks looks to bag its first ever award at the ceremony.
Hollyoaks vetern Darren Jefferies set to depart after 10 years: Darren Jeffries, who has played Hollyoaks' OB for over 10 years, has decided to leave the Channel 4 programme in February. During his time on the show, he's battled alcoholism, lost girlfriend Mel in the fire at the Dog, and got into plenty of scrapes with his partner in crime, Max, who he now helps to raise kid brother Tom. And who could forget when he gave Claire the punch heard round the world during last Christmas's big storyline? "Obviously I was gutted when I found out that Darren would be leaving, we discussed it together but there was nothing I could do to convince him otherwise so I just wished him all the best for the future." says Darren. Matt Littler, who plays Max, is disappointed to lose his on- and off-screen best friend. "It's going to be like having my arm cut off, I'll be lost without him and I'll have no one to wind up in between takes!" But fans of the boy-faced actor can rest assured that he'll enjoy lots of screen time before he leaves the village. He'll befriend new lifeguard Simon, putting his friendship with Max to the test. other stars reportedly set to leave the show include Jennifer Biddall and Sarah Jane Buckley- who both leave during the end of this year.
Former Hollyoaks stars set to return: Former Hollyoaks favourite Elize Du Toit is set to return to Hollyoaks for a one off episode. Elize, who played Izzy Cornwell on the show, returns on Tony’s30th birthday along with two of Tony’s other ex’s Julie Matthews and Tessie. The party will be planned by Tony’s brother Dom who invites Tony‘s ex girlfriends which will lead to Jacqui’s insecurities flooding the surface as she plies herself with alcohol. It gets from bad to worse for both Tony and Jacqui when a distraught Tessie reveals she never had an abortion all those years ago and Tony in fact has an eight year old son! So the past catches up with Tony who can't take in the news and can’t believe he is a father.
Hollyoaks stars set for revolution at this year's Children In Need: Four members of the Hollyoaks cast are to perform a Marc Bolan medley at this year's Children In Need. Gerard McCarthy, Kevin Sacre, Loui Batley and Summer Strallen – who play Kris Fisher, Jake Dean, Sarah Barnes and Summer Shaw in the Chester-based soap – are in the process of rehearsing a string of T-Rex songs including the iconic 'Children of the Revolution' to mark the 30th anniversary of Marc Bolan's death. Speaking of the forthcoming performance, McCarthy told Digital Spy: "I hope viewers are looking forward to the guys and girls of Hollyoaks performing and singing live for such a good cause. We're honoured to be singing songs from such a great artist alongside a host of established performers such as Spice Girls, Westlife and the Sugababes." A source commented: "The guys had their first vocal session the other day with Children In Need's musical director. They'll be having their first choreography session at the end of the week and everything will soon come together." Hollyoaks Producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "Hollyoaks is always happy to lend its help to good causes and Children In Need is about the best one there is. It's also a great opportunity to show that our cast aren't just actors but all-round performers." Children In Need will air on Friday, November 17 on BBC One from 7pm.
Jen Biddall set to quit Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks: Jennifer Biddal is set to bow out of Hollyoaks after two years in the show. Jennifer who plays Jessica Harris on the show, joined Hollyoaks back in September 2005 and since than been a regular fixture. On her departure Jennifer said: "I was scared to tell Bryan (Kirkwood) that I didn’t want to renew my contract but asked him to give me a good leaving storyline!" Laughs Jen. "And he has so I want to thank him for that." Jen leaves at the end of this year, with a storyline involving a break friendship with Zoe Carpenter.
Hollyoaks stars set for huge halloween night: Hollyoaks stars are preparing to end their award-less streak at the National TV awards tonight. Hollyoaks is up for three gongs, including ‘Best serial Drama’ for the fifth consecutive time and they will be hoping this time they fend off their soap rivals. James Sutton is up for ‘Best Actor’ and Gemma Merna is up for ‘Best Newcomer’ who both be hoping to add to Hollyoaks award cabinet this year. Series Producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "I am thrilled that for the second year in a row Hollyoaks has 3 nominations at the National Television Awards. It's a well deserved recognition of the huge step forward the show has taken over the last 18 months that we can get into the final 4 in a national public vote." Earlier this year Hollyoaks scooped three gongs at the British Soap awards and also won an award at the Inside Soap awards. Several Hollyoaks stars are set to attend, including Chris Fountain and Emma Rigby.
Eastenders takes the headlines at the NTAs: Hollyoaks failed to win 'Best Serial Drama' at the National TV awards despite recieveing three nominations. Hollyoaks lost out to BBC1 soap Eastenders, while James Sutton was beaten by Doctor Who's David Tennant for 'Best Actor'. Coronation Street and former Hollyoaks In the City star Kym Ryder scooped 'Best Newcomer' beating Gemma Merna. Several Hollyoaks stars attended the cermony, where Hollyoaks continued to have their winless streak at the award cermony.
For further information, please contact at robbiefowler208@aol.com
