TV Soaps...Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks is one of the more recent TV soaps and has been described as a soap for young people. It certainly lives up to that description as it covers many story lines that have and will affect young people. However, it also looks at other things which cover a wider age range of issues. Here are some of the things which have happened in Hollyoaks and to it's stars:

• Hollyoaks began by simply following a group of friends and their families. Since then it has broadened out into a bigger group of people all living in the fictional area of Hollyoaks, near Chester.

• It was devised by Phil Redmond, who has had success with programmes such as Grange Hill and Brookside.

• Some of the story lines covered in it's short history have been, abortion, drugs, University, college and school life, relationships, death, birth, teenage pregnancy, male rape and many more.

• Although not as big as Eastenders or Corrie it is starting to get more and more recognition at awards ceremonies. One of its actors, Gary Lucy, won one of their first awards for best newcomer at the soap awards, for his acting during the male rape story, which really got Hollyoaks noticed amongst older audiences.

• Hollyoaks has even started producing young stars who have gone on to be big, such as Will Mellor.

• For those of you who want to check out Hollyoaks it is on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6.30pm.

Despite only being on our screens for a few years, Hollyoaks has become a huge hit particularly amongst young people. It's variety of serious story lines mixed with humour seems to attract more people to it every week. Hollyoaks is likely to be rivalling the likes of Eastenders and Corrie for Best Soap within the next few years.

-Josie