TAKING A LOOK BACK AT MY FAVOURITE HOLLYOAKS STORYLINES AS THE SOAP TURNS 30

This Thursday, Hollyoaks will celebrate 30 years having first aired on 23rd October, 1995 on Channel 4 after being created by Phil Redmond.

Throughout the shows 30 years the soap has aired some fantastic storylines that have raised awareness something that I think soaps do brilliantly delivering those hard-hitting storylines that many viewers wouldn't know about hence why I think the soaps are brilliant to have on our screens for raising awareness.

As a viewer who grew up with The Barnes and The Hunter Family as well as many of the classic characters from Tony Hutchinson, Max and OB, and Steph Cunningham. However, as time has gone on Hollyoaks have given us actors that have gone on to great things including Natalie Casey, Emmett J. Scanlan, Roxanne McKee, Nathalie Emmanuel, Gemma Atkinson, Zoe Lister, Emma Rigby to name a few.

Back in 2002, Hollyoaks aired a storyline with Lisa Hunter regarding her Self-Harm in one of the shows most harrowing storyline that moved me and when I re-watched the episodes in lockdown when the soap re-aired certain storylines, I was as moved as I first was all those years ago and honestly, Gemma Atkinson's portrayal appeared so raw and moving especially with the struggles that come after as she struggled with feeling worthy. It wasn't until I re-watched these episodes that I realised how much I loved the Hunter family and what they bought to the show in the early days.

The episode aired during the lockdown of 2020, and you can read my review here.

Amy Barnes Teen Pregnancy aired in February 2007 with the birth of Leah and is one storyline I remember going on a journey from Amy's relationship to her mum, Kathy wanting to pretend that her granddaughter was her daughter, that was until Amy felt strong enough to stand up to her mum and bringing up her daughter. The relationship that Amy had with her sister, Sarah was fantastic that only grew once she helped her deliver her daughter safely. Ashley Slanina-Davies bought so much to the role over the years, it was just a shame that the character was killed off in March 2017 after an who dunnit style storyline.

In September 2007, Hollyoaks air Hannah Ashworth's Eating Disorder that I thought back then was a very brave and bold decision especially with everything that she went through (as tough as it was to watch but looking back they definitely didn't shy away from those). I remember having just started High School and in one of our first PSHE lessons we spoke struggles of teenagers only a few weeks after this aired and the knowledge I took from the storyline is a credit to the soap as it just goes to show soaps airing this tough storylines work.

The episode aired during the lockdown of 2020, and you can read my review here.

Photo Credit: Lime Pictures/ Hollyoaks

Last year, Hollyoaks aired the SSA Storyline featuring Frankie Osborne and twin brother, JJ which saw some of the most incredibly moving scenes as the truth was released as Frankie admitted the truth to her father, Darren in a moving moment for the character at The Dog in the Pond. Ever since, Frankie has been hitting the self-destruct button and earlier this year got mixed up with Grace Black and Rex Gallagher. I have had nothing but praise for Isabelle Smith since she begin the role of Frankie back in January 2024 as the arrival of Darren's twins has bought a different dynamic to the Osborne family that I have been enjoying play out despite all the craziness and difficult times along the way.

Hollyoaks 30th Anniversary has seen a lot of the original cast return as a part of the show's birthday and what a brilliant way to celebrate especially with the way that mix of current storylines alongside the preparation for the special Brookside Crossover at 10pm on E4 which I am excited to see tomorrow evening (Wednesday 22nd October). 

Some of my other favourite Hollyoaks episode that missed out of my top 5 including

- Mandy and Tony Hutchinson dealing with the death of their daughter is an emotional storyline.

- The Gloved-Hand Killer back in 2015 that was one of those storylines that had you guessing all the way along.

- Peri Lomax's Teen Pregnancy alongside a crazy time in the characters life which allowed Ruby O'Donnell to show everyone what a great actress she is.

- Cleo McQueen's eating disorder that raised awareness within the younger viewers and I remember someone I know reaching out because of this storyline airing. Nadine Mulkerrin, I have nothing but praise for the way you handled this storyline and the amount of care that you took with this storyline was amazing to witness.

- Also, I have to mention the Fox siblings Warren played by Jamie Lomas and his younger sister Katy, played by Hannah Tointon shared some tough and vulnerable stories.

Finally, let's be honest who remembers the T4 omnibus on a Sunday morning?

To end I have to give a shout-out to all the cast over the years (past, present as well as the ones that are yet to make their debuts), the producers and executives, the writers, the directors, the make-up artists, costume assistants, and I have to give a special thanks to the press and digital teams for all their hard work which never goes unnoticed!