Hollyoaks set for anniversary revamp

Hollyoaks is reportedly gearing up for a huge revamp to mark its tenth birthday.

14:47 30 July 2005

Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks is reportedly gearing up for a huge revamp to mark its tenth birthday.

Cassie Powney, who plays Mel Burton, told PA: "It's all been running along as per usual. It's always exciting when something new happens, there's that sense of excitement like, 'Ooh, what's going to happen? Is anything going to change?'

"The storylines coming up are very gritty. They're filming some late nights as we speak and they're really intense."

She added: "Our family are involved in a totally separate thing. The two brothers (Justin and Ali) are involved in a bit of a drama. And then there's a completely different plot, which Connie (who plays twin sister Sophie) and me may or may not be involved with."

The changes will see a host of new characters introduced and some old hands axed. The actors to go have not yet been announced, but rumours suggest that Kelly Greenwood (Zara Morgan) and Ben Gerrard (Cameron Clark) could face the chop.

Hollyoaks bosses are also planning to launch a new X-rated version of the teen soap that is expected to be even steamier than the show's late-night editions.