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Hollyoaks to revisit Lisa Hunter mental health plot

‘Hollyoaks’ is to revisit Lisa Hunter’s mental health storyline.

The Channel 4 soap will look back at the hard-hitting plot involving Gemma Atkinson’s character, who turned to self-harm after being bullied by Steph Dean (Carley Stenson).

Soap fans will be reminded of the 2002 storyline in new ‘Oaks’ spin-off show ‘Hollyoaks@25’ from Monday August 3rd.

Ruby O’Donnell (Peri Lomax) and Haiesha Mistry (Yasmine Maalik) will present the week of episodes after their respective characters were both involved in a storyline that covered the topic of self-harm.

The look back also ties in with the soap’s Don’t Filter Feelings campaign.

Earlier this week, ‘Hollyoaks’ announced their ‘Hollyoaks@25’ spin-off will debut on Monday (27.07.20) on E4, which will head back to 1999 for the show’s first big stunt involving villain Rob Hawthorne (Warren Derosa).

The programme will showcase the most talked about storylines – one must-watch week for every five years the soap has been on air.

The first era will be looking at the years 1995-2000, the next will be looking at 2001-2005, and onwards.

Hollyoaks’ longest-serving cast member Nick Pickard – who plays Tony Hutchinson – said: "It is so lovely being back on set, and seeing all of my fellow co-stars, and what better way to return than to host a new special birthday series with the lovely Jennifer Metcalfe? Although it’s been so difficult to remember my scripts after all this time, I’m a bit rusty…!

"I can’t believe it’s been as long as 25 years. After my first call back for Tony Hutchinson, I would never have guessed that I would still be here all these years later.

"Things are a lot different on set – the change is definitely noticeable, but there’s no better feeling than being back – it’s home. There are lots of exciting throwbacks in store for Hollyoaks@25, so keep your eyes peeled."

Jennifer Metcalfe added: "I for one am proper excited for Hollyoaks@25, and to get to do the first set of intros with the legendary Nick, who plays Tony, was just brilliant. It was lovely to see Nick again, even if we were two metres apart.

"I was made up that Hollyoaks Favourites was so successful and loved that it kicked off with Dr Browning and Mercedes – one of my favourite couplings ever. I’m glad to be announcing ‘Hollyoaks@25’ as I’m really looking forward to seeing week-long sets of episodes, era by era, and it’s going right back to the start too."