HOLLYOAKS is set to welcome back three iconic stars for its 30th anniversary – and it could mean something major in store for a fan favourite.
The series is gearing up to mark its anniversary in style, and as part of it, familiar faces from the show’s history will be popping up to check in on the village.
James Redmond is returning as Finn for the 30th anniversary[/caption]
Dom was last seen heading to Spain to get married in Hollyoaks Later[/caption]
Carol hasn’t been seen in the village in decades after heading off on a cruise ship[/caption]
James Redmond, Natalie Casey and John Pickard – who played Rory ‘Finn’ Finnigan, Carol Groves and Dominic Reilly on the soap – have all been tapped to return to their old haunt.
And all three have connections to long-standing resident, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard).
A source told The Sun Online: “They were all hugely popular characters in the 90s and had to be a part of the anniversary.
“Hollyoaks might have a lot of younger viewers now but bosses really wanted to remember the 90s roots, so there’s set to be some real nostalgia coming up.”
The stars have already begun filming their scenes.
Hollyoaks declined to comment when approached by The Sun Online.
During their time on Hollyoaks, all three became central to major storylines that defined the show as a soap for younger audiences – especially when it came to Tony.
It’s been years since any of the characters have appeared in the Hollyoaks world, although Redmond has repeatedly reprised his role of Finn for guest stints to mark special occasions.
Arriving on the show as a free-spirited heartthrob in 1998, Finn became close friends with Tony Hutchinson, even going into business together.
While he left in 2002, he later returned for a stint in after-watershed spin-off Hollyoaks Later, the 20th anniversary in 2015, and again for Christmas in 2017.
His last appearance was in 2018, when Finn left for Margate after taking the fall for Cindy Cunningham (Steph Waring) stealing £10,000 for the purchase of a restaurant.
Natalie Casey’s Carol arrived on the soap in 1996, but hasn’t been seen since 2000. She also had close ties to both Finn and particularly Tony, with whom she had a will they/won’t they relationship.
Eventually, she left to perform on cruise ships, confessing her feelings to Tony before she did so in special Hollyoaks: Boys Do Barca.
Finally, Dominic (played by Nick Pickard’s real-life brother, John) is Tony’s half-brother, and appeared on screen from 2005 to 2010.
Tony is a long-standing favourite on the soap[/caption]
Finn is Tony’s best friend and business partner[/caption]
Carol went abroad to live her dreams of being a singer[/caption]
During that time, the character was seen trying to build a relationship with his estranged sibling.
However, their relationship collapsed when he believed he burned down Tony’s restaurant, Il Gnosh, at the request of gangster Warren Fox.
While it was later revealed it was not him, he had already confessed and not believed, so was left to serve out his sentence.
After prison, Dom appeared in a series of Hollyoaks Later alongside Tony and Finn, and was living in Spain – sending the trio on a wild adventure as they ran into a mobster The White Man, played by Danny Dyer.
Dom is played by John Pickard – the real life brother of Tony actor, Nick Pickard[/caption]