Legendary 90s Hollyoaks stars pictured on set as they reprise their roles for reunion scenes with co-stars ahead of Channel 4 soap’s 30th anniversary

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Iconic faces from Hollyoaks are spotted back on set as they prepare to reappear on-screen, marking the soap’s notable 30th anniversary celebration.

As a devoted admirer, I was thrilled to witness, on Friday in the vibrant city of Liverpool, these three beloved stars capturing moments for their upcoming Channel 4 production while we filmed together on location.

In simpler terms, James Redmond, aged 53, was photographed while he took up his character, Finn, once again. He was spotted shooting a pub scene for the special occasion celebration.

Initially, the actor played a role in the soap opera from 1998 to 2002, but left after that until making a brief comeback in 2015. After that, he returned for another period between 2017 and 2018.

At the same time, John Pickard was spotted working alongside his genuine brother Nick Pickard, who portrays Tony Hutchinson, on set.

He joined Hollyoaks in 2005 and remained in the village until his exit in 2010. 

Besides playing Carol Groves, Natalie Casey was spotted filming alongside Ruby O’Donnell and Ellis Hollins as well.

Initially, she became part of the cast of Hollyoaks back in 1996. After spending five years with the show, she decided to leave in 2000, and then she transitioned to appear on the sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

During the reunion scenes, it seemed that the actors were in high spirits, frequently flashing broad grins during breaks from filming.

The specific details about how these characters come back on Hollyoaks are being closely guarded secrets by the show’s producers, leaving viewers uncertain as to when they can expect their comeback.

After the unveiling of details, it’s clear that Hollyoaks will broadcast a unique joint episode with Brookside as part of their significant anniversary celebration.

It has been announced that Philip Olivier and Suzanne Collins will be back for the upcoming episode, once again taking on the characters of Tim ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary and Nikki Shadwick.

Suzanne honored her former acting partner, the late Dean Sullivan, for his portrayal of Jimmy Corkhill – Brookside’s longest-standing character.

He passed away in 2023 aged 68 following a battle with prostate cancer.

This past month, we learned that Sue Johnson is returning to her role as matriarch Sheila Grant, a character she portrayed from 1982 to 1990.

She mentioned that it would be delightful to revisit being ‘Sheila’ for a day, as it was a significant and enjoyable aspect of her past.

In the upcoming production, Paul Usher takes on the role of Sheila’s troubled son, Barry Grant, once again, while John McArdle reappears as her remarried partner, Billy Corkhill.

It’s been announced that Billy is set to feature in further episodes of Hollyoaks, as his character makes a move to the village. However, the motivations behind this development have yet to be disclosed.

Previously, Hollyoaks’ Executive Producer Hannah Cheers referred to the episode as an affectionate tribute, expressing her appreciation towards Sir Phil Redmond, the visionary behind both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

She said: ‘This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

‘Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks — it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.

At Lime Pictures, the origins of Hollyoaks are strongly tied to Brookside, and this connection is carried forward by our team members as well as some of our actors who continue to honor its lasting influence.

This production carries an emotional resonance, serving not only as a heartfelt homage to the roots of our creation but also offering devoted fans an opportunity to reminisce about cherished moments in Brookside.

These well-known characters from Brookside have become timeless soap opera stereotypes, shaping the landscape of British television. Even today, these classic character types continue to be discovered and appreciated by new generations, thanks in part to shows like Hollyoaks.

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2025-09-13 14:19