Oh dear.

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a213676/hermaphrodite-plot-for-hollyoaks.html

Hermaphrodite plot for 'Hollyoaks'?

Sunday, April 11 2010, 6:55am EDT

By Sarah Rollo, Entertainment Reporter

Hermaphrodite plot for 'Hollyoaks'?

A shock Hollyoaks hermaphrodite plot has apparently hit the rocks after the actor chosen to play the role walked out.

The storyline was allegedly designed to trick viewers into believing that the male actor was actually a girl. I

However, following make-up checks, the actor who agreed to the part is believed to have had second thoughts.

An insider told the Daily Star Sunday: "The hermaphrodite storyline was just ridiculous.

"When I heard what they were planning I thought it was a joke and laughed my head off. You can imagine my face when I realised they were deadly serious."

They continued: "The lad who was cast in the role actually turned down the part once he was told that he’d be spending months in the soap disguised as a girl. He couldn't believe what they wanted him to do and told them where to go."

The idea is understood to have been devised by producer Paul Marquess in a bid to boost ratings, which dropped to 850,000 over Easter.

The insider added: "Everyone working on the soap is petrified that it's going to be taken off air. There are a lot of anxious people up here and little is being done to restore confidence."

Despite reports, a spokesman for the Channel 4 show dismissed the claim, stating: "There are no plans to run a hermaphrodite storyline."

Someone call Jeffrey Carlson.

From ch 4

New Cast!

Channel 4 screens are set to sizzle this summer as an influx of new characters set pulses racing in Hollyoaks Village!

A mix of familiar faces and hot new talent will ruffle more than a few feathers when they hit screens later this year.

The Costello family are glamour personified. Ex-Bill actress, Kim Tiddy heads up the family as mum Heidi, an ex-model who’s more than able to hold her own, whilst ex-footballer dad Carl (Paul Opacic) is an incurable ladies man. Eldest son Riley (Rob Norbury, Grange Hill) looks set to cause a stir amongst the ladies of Hollyoaks whilst younger brother Seth ( Miles Higson) is determined to step out of his brother’s shadow.

The Sharpes make a crash landing into Hollyoaks when mum Gabby (Phina Oruche, Footballer’s Wives) is quite literally knocked off her feet! Whilst making a desperate bid to escape her husband, Gabby is knocked down, only to be rescued by a Hollyoaks knight in shining armour. There is an obvious chemistry between Gabby and her new love-interest but as a mother of two children - Taylor (Shaun Blackstock) and Amber (Lydia Lloyd-Henry) - Gabby is forced to question if she can really leave her husband Phil (Andonis Anthony)?

Proving that brunettes do have more fun, Mitzeee’s (Rachel Shenton) arrival in Holyoaks creates instant drama. The wannabe glamour model is desperate for fame and fortune and whilst the boys in the village can’t help but fall in love with her, she has her sights set so much higher. Desperate to emulate Heidi’s perfect life, just what will she do to achieve it?

Alex Carter is also set to reprise his role as the irrepressible Lee Hunter. Back in the Village and signed up to HCC, Lee is determined to make a fresh start amongst old friends.

Hollyoaks producer Paul Marquess said “We can’t wait for this huge new boost of energy exploding on screen. These exciting new characters join our fantastic core cast. Together they will ensure that 2010 will be a year to remember on Hollyoaks’.

Paul Opacic may be best known for his work on Emmerdale 10 years ago as Steve Marchant, wicked Kim Tate's last husband. They both ran a lot of cons and schemes, even against each other. His most "evil" moment was probably when he ran over Kathy Tate and tried to smother her in the hospital so she wouldn't tell about it.

Andonis Anthony -- is that a short term role? He's had some on Hollyoaks before. In 2007 he ran a call center Jessica and Zak worked at.

http://andonisanthony.com/Showreel.htm

I don't know what old friends Lee will find in Chester...I guess there's Steph, Tony, and Cindy.

Paul Opacic may be best known for his work on Emmerdale 10 years ago as Steve Marchant, wicked Kim Tate's last husband. They both ran a lot of cons and schemes, even against each other. His most "evil" moment was probably when he ran over Kathy Tate and tried to smother her in the hospital so she wouldn't tell about it.

Andonis Anthony -- is that a short term role? He's had some on Hollyoaks before. In 2007 he ran a call center Jessica and Zak worked at.

http://andonisanthony.com/Showreel.htm

I don't know what old friends Lee will find in Chester...I guess there's Steph, Tony, and Cindy.

What was Lee's relationship with Darren ... if anything?

As bad as the show is now I'm ready for anything, as I've said before. I hope this new version of the show is good and can pull in viewers.

Should be interesting, I'll give it a try when it starts airing.

I just hope they don't bite off more than they can chew.

Hollyaoks, like most of the UK soaps, has been reinvented a number of times though with some massive culls and new additions. We'll see how this one goes.

Marquess also created a family by the name of Costello on Family Affair...

What was Lee's relationship with Darren ... if anything?

I don't remember them interacting in the 2005 episodes I've seen. Darren was gone for 2-3 years of Lee's time there.

UK Law's assumption that Marquess would be creating TWO families turned out to be right. He needs to post more around these parts.

Sounds like Rachel Shenton's character will be Louise 2.0. Shenton is VERY PRETTY, so I guess she'll be the new eye candy on the show. Toups should be happy.

Louise was such a horribly written character, I hope things will improve with this character.

Hmm ... okay. So this really will basically be a brand new show. I hope Steph/Cindy/Darren are used well. Especially Darren.

Hmm ... okay. So this really will basically be a brand new show. I hope Steph/Cindy/Darren are used well. Especially Darren.

In the UK way of soap, it's nothing new though. I can't even begin to count how many "new families" Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale have brought on during the years, while longer standing (albeit, most were probably dead wood by that point) characters were written out.

Edited April 13, 201015 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I hope Marquess gets rid of Bronagh Waugh (Cheryl) when he gets the chance, she's not pretty and the character absolutely sucks.

I hope Marquess gets rid of Bronagh Waugh (Cheryl) when he gets the chance, she's not pretty and the character absolutely sucks.

Yes, I hope so too. Lucy Allan was an idiot for bringing her on the main show in the first place. She was so annoying.