Hollyoaks icon set to return after soap 'axed' 20 cast members
Hollyoaks is set to welcome back a beloved character this Christmas, with the soap bringing back one of its most iconic characters for its Christmas special. Nicole Barber-Lane, who played Myra McQueen for over a decade, is returning to the Channel 4 soap for a special Christmas storyline. This news comes after recent reports that Hollyoaks is cutting its cast by a massive 20 members in a major shake-up.
Nicole’s character, Myra McQueen, is a central figure in the iconic Hollyoaks McQueen family, known for her strong-willed nature and unflinching support for her loved ones. Her return will coincide with the temporary exit of Jorgie Porter, who plays Theresa McQueen, while the actress goes on maternity leave. Myra's return will make way for Theresa leaving the village.
Ahead of leaving the show to have her second child in real life, Jorgie, 36, recently shared pictures of her huge baby bump at home - with fans all being quick to give her the same advice about it.
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Joining Nicole, 54, in the festive return will be fellow Hollyoaks star Diane Langton, who plays Nana McQueen, the mother of Myra and grandmother of Theresa and Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe . Diane has been part of the Hollyoaks cast, off and on, since 2007. Their joint comeback is expected to provide much-needed support to Mercedes, who is currently battling cancer on the soap.
A source behind the scenes shared, "It's everything fans could wish for, having the two matriarchs of the McQueens back for a short stint. They'll arrive like a Christmas miracle just in time for Theresa's exit and to provide a much-needed boost to Mercedes as she battles bowel cancer."
The news comes as Hollyoaks is set to make a significant cast reduction, reportedly cutting 20 characters as part of a broader plan to refresh the series as a whole. As well as axing a host of characters, Hollyoaks has also moved to streaming first, with episodes dropping online before they air on TV, as part of the shake up.
Hollyoaks star Nicole originally departed the TV show in 2019 after 13 years, expressing a desire to explore new opportunities. The Sun reports that at the time, she said: "I loved working at Hollyoaks. I miss everybody. It just feels like home, but I feel like I need to do something different for me. I’m so proud of the show and I love it to bits."
