Tony Hollyoaks

01/22/2026

01/20/2026

Hollyoaks throws a new bad boy into the mix later this month, as former Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star Ryan Clayton makes his first appearance as Jenson. Show bosses have big plans for the new character, who'll be crossing paths with Warren Fox, Mercedes McQueen and Tinhead O'Leary in his early storylines.
As seen in Hollyoaks' recent New Year trailer, we first meet Jenson when he confronts Tinhead over an unpaid loan. But with Jenson also keeping a close eye on Warren, and making a beeline for Mercedes in rehab, his true intentions may lie elsewhere!

We recently caught up with Ryan for his exclusive first chat about the role.

Hi, Ryan! How did the new role come about? Was it just a regular audition?

"No, essentially! (Laughs.) Hollyoaks got in contact and asked if I would be interested in joining the show. I was thinking that it was probably going to be in the new year, but the turnaround was very quick and I started filming late last year.

"That's part of what made it so attractive, I guess! It was straight away and it wasn't playing that waiting game of it potentially coming to fruition."

Were you excited to do another long-running show after your time on Corrie and Waterloo Road?

"I was, but it always comes down to character first. If you're going to be playing a character for a while, you want something that you can sink your teeth into. I'm definitely doing that with Jenson!"

What can the viewers expect from him?

"He's very cunning and slippery, I would say! He's like a sly little fox…"

Did the Hollyoaks bosses tell you everything about Jenson straight away or hold some details back?

"Not everything. As always with continuing dramas, they're developing the story. It's an ongoing thing, so you're always learning new things about your character. I'm sure Bill Roache is still learning things on Corrie about Ken Barlow! (Laughs.)

"I was fortunate, as we all had a sit-down conversation before I started, where we went through some ideas and explored Jenson's backstory. It was good to see the time and thought that's clearly been put into the storyline."

Do you see Jenson as a villain, or is it more complicated than that?

"It's definitely more complicated, because he is a complex character with a past to be explored. I think the writers are playing around with that idea of: is he a good guy or is he a bad guy? It's constantly being pushed and twisted…"

What can you tell us about your first scenes?

"Jenson's way into the village is through Tinhead, who's come to him for money. Tinhead is pretending that he's Warren, but Jenson has realised that he's not telling the truth.

"He's got leverage on Tinhead now and he uses that against him, to get Tinhead to do his dirty work! He's very manipulative and he knows how to push people's buttons. He's street smart and wouldn't go into a fight unless he had the upper hand – or knew he could find the upper hand!"

As we saw in Hollyoaks' recent trailer, Jenson ends up with Mercedes in rehab and a romantic spark develops! Can you tell us more?

"Well, Jenson's reasons for being in rehab in the first place are up for debate! He learns about Warren and Mercedes' relationship and uses that as a chance to pursue his plans.

"The audience will be left to question whether Jenson has genuine feelings for Mercedes or not. You just never know what's real with him or what's not. Is it always an ulterior motive? That's what's made him so fun to play so far."

The trailer also showed us that Liberty fancies Jenson! Is he interested in her?

"I think he's flirty with everyone! If he had the opportunity with any girl, I think he'd be happy. I think he's more interested in Mercedes than Liberty, but he is very flirtatious…"

How has it been to work with Jen Metcalfe, Jamie Lomas and Phil Olivier, who play Mercedes, Warren and Tinhead?

"Really great – it's fantastic when you get to work with people like that. I grew up watching Brookie as well, so it's very fun to work with Phil."

Can you tease where things are going in the longer-term?

"I'd say just expect the unexpected with Jenson! He's always working on something and constantly plotting."

Will Jenson be sticking around in the village?

"There's potential for it, definitely!"

Our readers will remember your 2018 Coronation Street storyline, where your character Josh Tucker r***d David Platt. Are you proud of the impact the story made at the time?

"Definitely. It's great to tell these stories and represent survivors in that way. It's such important work, making people feel represented and heard. Obviously Hollyoaks has covered some fantastic storylines on the same topic and have continued that work recently with Dodger and Donny's storyline."

See Ryan's first scenes on Tuesday 27 January. Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

01/18/2026

Hollyoaks has confirmed another surprise Brookside reunion amid the storyline involving Tim "Tinhead" O'Leary. Having made a brief comeback during the special crossover episode, Tinhead officially made his Hollyoaks debut this week.

After striking up a romance with Liberty Savage earlier this week, the pair went on a date. When Sienna saw Tinhead coming out of Liberty's room, she told Liberty that she didn't trust him.

When Sienna went to destroy Jez's shed, she heard someone moving inside. After she saw a van driving off, Tinhead was confirmed as the driver, but his reason for being at Jez's shed remains a secret.

Meanwhile, the soap also confirmed that another former Brookie cast member will be returning to screens in the coming weeks after Mercedes strikes up a friendship with Nikki Shadwick during a stint in rehab.

In scenes that will air on Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January, Sienna is convinced that someone is after the Blake family after hearing someone at Jez’s shed the previous evening.

Liberty manages to talk Sienna down and tells her to confide in her girlfriend, Cleo McQueen, about her recent struggles. After recognising Tinhead's van, Sienna confronts him, asking him why he was lurking around the allotment the previous night.

Later, Tinhead arranges a secret meeting with a familiar face and is seen speaking with Nikki in a car hidden in the alleyway. Tinhead was once married to Nikki’s sister Emily, but in the crossover episode it looked like Tinhead and Nikki were now together.

We don't yet know why Nikki is meeting up with Tinhead nor the exact nature of their relationship; what are they hiding and what could it possibly mean for both Liberty and Sienna?

Previously speaking about the crossover episode, Nikki actor Suzanne Collins said: "I couldn't believe my luck when I saw Nikki has a friendship with the iconic Mercedes. I'm a huge fan of Jen [Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes]. She's an incredible actor.

"The response to the crossover was incredible, so warm and positive. I've been sworn to secrecy, but since getting the news that Nikki would be returning, I've been floating around on cloud nine with the biggest secret smile on my face."

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

01/18/2026

Hollyoaks' Cleo McQueen finds an unexpected ally as she continues struggling following the birth of her son.

The relationship between Cleo and Sienna Blake soured in recent scenes following an accidental fall for baby Joseph on Cleo's watch. The baby boy was luckily unharmed, but the accident drove a wedge between Sienna and Cleo.

The couple managed to patch things up as Sienna refused to let Cleo push her away, but it's apparent that the new mum is uncomfortable.

In an upcoming development, Cleo reassures a hurt Sienna that she loves her but needs some space. As Cleo remains frosty towards her girlfriend, she finds an unlikely ally in Leela Dexter.

In a twist, Leela offers Cleo an olive branch after her one-night stand with Joel, which resulted in the conception of baby Joseph.

Seeing that Cleo is in a bad place, Leela invites her and her son to join her and her daughter Clara at a baby group.

Cleo is unsure but, when Sienna approaches, she uses Leela's invitation as an excuse to avoid her girlfriend. She leaves with baby Joseph in tow as Leela and Clara follow.

At the baby group, an overwhelmed Cleo suffers a new setback when baby Joseph won't stop crying.

"Cleo is reluctant to attend a baby group with Leela," explains our insider, "but she will take any excuse to avoid Sienna at this point. When she arrives at the group though, Cleo has a very difficult time with baby Joseph - will the experience set her back even further in her recovery?"

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streamingpremiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

01/17/2026

Hollyoaks to revisit harrowing John Paul storyline ahead of dramatic show exit
Hollyoaks is set to touch upon John Paul McQueen's relationship with PC George Kiss in upcoming scenes. John Paul and George dated from 2020 to 2021, with George becoming controlling and abusive towards John Paul.

The storyline culminated with PC George being killed by Sally St Claire when she and Theresa confronted him about abusing John Paul.

The whole experience left John Paul traumatised and struggling with alcoholism, leading to him losing his job and being involved in a near-fatal minibus crash.

Now getting his life back together and working as a teacher in the school, this week's episode sees him struggling with Dee Dee and Ant Hutchinson, putting them both in detention and receiving a barrage of insults in the process.

An incident with Ant while he is in detention leads John Paul to call the police, and the youngster is left distraught as Officer Smithy considers taking him to the station.

John Paul is shaken by the interaction, and later at his addiction support group, he tells them that due to his past abusive relationship with a policeman, he felt triggered by the day's events.

It comes after it was announced that John Paul actor James Sutton will be leaving Hollyoaks after 20 years.

He is reportedly set to leave as part of an "explosive" storyline this year, with The Sun claiming that James has now shot his final scenes.

Soap bosses have not publicly addressed or confirmed his exit.

It would not be the first time James has left the soap, with the actor exiting the village in 2008 and 2017 before making returns.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

01/17/2026

Hollyoaks Lucas Hay will set in motion another twisted revenge plot against his dad next week, with Ste finding himself in grave danger once again. As his abuse reaches a terrifying climax, has Lucas finally pushed things too far?
While Lucas made amends with Ste at Christmas and apologised to him for his physical abuse, everything changed when he discovered that his dad has been having a shock fling with his ex-boyfriend Dillon.

Since then, Lucas attempted to poison his dad by putting prescription pills in his food, leaving him in a vulnerable state – and leading to an emotional reunion between Ste and his presumed-dead husband James.

The family thought that Ste was being violent towards his son, but now the truth about the abuse is out, Lucas is on very rocky terms with his loved ones.

Next week, Lucas makes a big decision about his future and tells Rex that he is leaving the village to head to London for a fresh start. But Rex isn’t prepared to let him leave…

"Rex and Lucas have had an extremely tricky relationship so far," says our Hollyoaks insider, "but Rex wants to extend an olive branch to the struggling teen. He is keen to help so sets up a bed in the garage for Lucas. While the rest of the village believe that he is missing, Rex is secretly sheltering Lucas…"

Rex urges Lucas to speak to his dad and finally make peace with him. But this won’t happen anytime soon, as Ste later tells Rex that he isn’t ready to see his son and asks him to keep Lucas hidden in the garage until he can face the consequences of his actions in court.

Later, Lucas makes a secret trip to the hospital where new pictures show him confronting Dillon, who is still recovering from the brutal attack by his ex. But what are Lucas’ intentions?

It’s Ste who should be worried though, and he is terrified when he comes face-to-face with Lucas at the Lomaxes’ house…

Rex realises that Ste is in danger and repeatedly tries to phone him. But Ste can only ignore these calls as he tries to calm Lucas – who wants answers about his affair with Dillon.

When Rex confides in Leela about the disturbing messages written in Lucas’ notepad, she rushes to join him and Dillon in a worrying search for Ste. But will they get to him in time?

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.

01/12/2026

This weeks hollyoaks

01/03/2026

Hollyoaks' Frankie Osborne will make a tense accusation on New Year's Eve as part of her stalker plot, but she turns out to be wrong. Viewers know who has been sending Frankie threatening messages after the true identity of her stalker was revealed earlier this month.
Frankie strongly suspects that her dodgy police officer ex-boyfriend Sully is behind the death of her brother, who was attacked and killed in prison after Frankie opened up to Sully about the abuse.

Following JJ's death Frankie began receiving threatening text messages and confronted Sully, who denied tormenting her and stealing JJ's ashes.

The couple made up and Frankie praised Sully for protecting her by having JJ killed, though Sully didn't admit to anything. Frankie was later seen meeting with detective Dodger, where it was revealed that she was wearing a wire and working with Dodger to expose the crime.

While Frankie still thinks that Sully is her tormenter, the soap confirmed that Dee Dee Hutchinson was the person behind the messages after it was revealed that she had been speaking to Frankie's abusive brother in prison, with the Hutchinson family finding out the truth on Christmas Day.

In scenes set to air next week (but set on New Year’s Eve), the Hutchinson kids sneak into The Loft because they don't want to stay in on New Year.

Diane is furious to find that her children have sneaked out without permission and Darren offers to go with her to find them.

At The Loft and wanting to fully get in the swing of New Year’s Eve celebrations, Ant comes up with an idea on how they can get their hands on some booze with help from Dee Dee.

When Vicky tells Frankie she wants her to put her worries aside to ring in the new year, Sully walks into the club, filling Frankie with fear.

Not wanting to be scared anymore, Frankie accuses Sully of sending the messages so he could act the hero and win her affection, but Sully continues to deny it. Will Frankie get to the truth?

These scenes will air on Tuesday, 6 January and Wednesday, 7 January.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.