*REVIEW* HOLLYOAKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WEEK

Over the past two weeks, Hollyoaks have absolutely smashed the 30th celebrations within their episodes with the return of old faces in the form of Carol Groves played by Natalie Casey, Rory 'Finn' Finnigan played by James Redmond bringing the nostalgia was brilliant, Zoe Carpenter played by Zoe Lister, but the return of Dom Pickard played by Nick Pickard aka Tony Hutchinson's real-life brother for Tony and Diane's wedding being kept a secret was great. It was brilliant to see how the show's current storylines interlinked with the anniversary making it a true celebration for the show's 30 years! Also, it was good to see Tom Cunningham and Jack Osborne involved with the original characters.

Last Wednesday's episode (15th October) saw returns of Warren Fox and James Nightingale alongside some classic Hollyoaks scheming and a sweet Leela Lomax and Ste Hay supporting Peri Lomax scene.

Photo Credit: Lime Pictures/ Hollyoaks

The set up for this week's episodes were brilliant with the mix of new and old faces giving the classic Hollyoaks feel that we all know and love.

Monday's episode (20th October) with the wedding of Tony and Diane Hutchinson with new actors joining the Hutchinson family with Chloe Atkinson, Brook Debio, and Leo Cole making their first appearances with their parents at the forefront and even more so with the reveal of Tony being Morgan's dad and Marie's pregnancy. Tom Cunningham proposing to Peri Lomax with Max Cunningham's wedding ring - and the way that later, Peri came face to face with James Nightingale in a surprise move. The Grace Black/ Clare Devine family dynamic with the elements of danger especially between the sisters, but the stunt at the end with Jez and Clare in the plane - danger is coming!

Tuesday's evening (21st October) for me was the most emotional with Peri Lomax's death during a heartfelt moment at the end between the character and her mum, Leela played by Kirsty-Leigh Porter in a scene that pulled on my heartstrings. Special mention has to go to Ruby O'Donnell and Kirsty-Leigh Porter definitely stole this week's worth of episodes if you ask me!

The set up for the episode was interesting with the plane and Warren Fox following Darren's instructions - there was so many possibilities of characters leaving and there is still time for there to be more even though, I am hoping it's just characters walking away instead of deaths.

Last night's (22nd October) visit to Chester, Hollyoaks viewers saw emotions continuing to run high, with Jez and Grace Black dying during the episode. However, it was the Hollyoaks 30th Anniversary celebrations Brookside Crossover that made for great viewing as Donny Clark was revealed to be alive as Mick Johnston after 30 years with Tish Merry being revealed as his daughter, Gemma. The nostalgia of classic Brookside especially the cameo from creator of the show, Phil Redmond was fabulous to see with so many of it's original characters reprising their roles with Alex Fletcher's daughter, Yasmin making her first appearance as Esme Dixon aka Jacqui Dixon.

Also, the way that last Tuesday's episode (14th October) set up for last night's Hollyoaks Later (Wednesday 22nd October) with Lucas Hay, Dillion Ray, Vicky Grant, alongside Charlie and Frankie Osborne off to Liverpool continuing with the Brookside cross-over. The unexpected moment that Ste Hay arrived in the capital to see Dillion near the end of the episode, but it was the car crash scene at the end that set up future storylines going into next week with the aftermath - Ste and Dillion laying unconscious with Frankie and Lucas seeing them and viewers saw another side of Donny. Louis Emerick definitely showed viewers what a great actor he is.

The drama that was bought through the Hollyoaks Later episode was hard-hitting from the very start. With Gemma Johnston wanting answers from her dad, Mick Johnston (Hollyoaks' Donny Clark) alongside Warren Fox bringing his bad boy side back also seeing Theresa McQueen return. However, Dodger Savage getting mixed up in the drama was a tough watch especially with the scenes that were featured.

The episodes of Hollyoaks mentioned aired between Monday 13th - Wednesday 23rd October at 7pm on E4 and 10.05pm on Wednesday 22nd October.

Along with Hollyoaks Later which aired on Wednesday 23rd October at 10.05pm on E4.