Rita Simons has joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks', and Nicole Barber-Lane is to make a return to the soap.
Rita Simons joins Hollyoaks as Marie
Former 'EastEnders' actress Rita is to portray Joel Dexter's (Rory Douglas Speed) mum Marie in the show, and the character is set to cause a stir in the village.
Rita said: "Marie’s got a lot of ties here, so I think there’s going to be quite a lot of trouble between quite a few characters, and you will just have to keep watching to see..."
Marie will sneak into the Chester village this year after leaving prison, and her first order of business will be to steal Mercedes McQueen's (Jennifer Metcalfe) red dress from the McQueen washing line.
Another new 'Hollyoaks' arrival will see Tyler Conti appear as Cleo McQueen's (Nadine Mulkerrin) boyfriend.
Cleo - who was last in the village in June 2022 - will return in search of Joel in a bid to reconnect, but her new fling, personal trainer Abe, will also rock up to the village to win her affection.
Tyler said: "Abe is a charming working-class young lad with a
manipulative streak a mile wide.
"The ingredients of a deeply troubled past and a complicated family life have brewed his dangerous temper, especially when things don’t go his way.
"I can’t wait for Abe to explode into to the Hollyoaks village, you can expect danger, manipulation, and one heck of a messy family that comes with."
What's more, Nicole is to reprise her role as McQueen matriarch Myra McQueen for a brief stint alongside her on-screen nieces Cleo and Theresa (Jorgie Porter).
Myra hasn't been in the village since she left for a fresh start in Alicante in 2019.
Speaking about her comeback, Nicole said: "The Hollyoaks village truly feels like a home where the door is left open for you to return.
"When popping in for an episode or two, or even longer, you feel welcomed with open arms, the people behind-the-scenes are one of the loveliest, loving family I know.
"It was so great to reconnect and act with lots of familiar faces and some new ones."
Nadine added: "I am so happy to be back in the world of 'Hollyoaks' being Cleo.
"I feel re-energised and super excited for all the amazing storylines coming my way.
"It’s an explosive entrance back, causing up a storm for Leela and Joel.
"Also bringing in with me some new interesting characters (Abe). I have missed it, I’m home.
"The fans can expect some unfinished business between Cleo and Joel and new mysterious man for Cleo who has a few red flags!"
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