Two Hollyoaks characters to make return

Leah Barnes and Imran Maalik will both be making surprise returns to Hollyoaks in the coming months, it has been announced.

Ijaz Rana will reprise his role as Imran – son of Misbah (Harvey Virdi) – after three years away, while Charlotte Riley takes over from Ela-May Demircan as Leah.

Leah – de-facto daughter of Ste (Kieron Richardson) – was last seen leaving for America in 2024 but when she returns to the village she will be doing so hand in hand with Imran as her boyfriend.

“Coming back to the village feels like home,” said Rana. “It’s an honour to step into Imran again, and he hasn’t been quiet off-screen… I can’t wait for everyone to see what he’s been up to.”

Riley said: “It feels like a dream to be joining Hollyoaks. I’m looking forward to viewers seeing a new side to Leah Barnes.”

Meanwhile Demircan, who had played Leah for 13 years since the age of just four, posted on social media: “Hi everyone! I wanted to come on here and thank you all for your support these last 14 years, bringing Leah to life for so many years was an honour and she will always be a part of me.

“While I would have loved to have returned to the show, Hannah [Cheers, executive producer] saw Leah’s character going in a different direction – but I will always be incredibly grateful to Bryan Kirkwood for casting me as Leah in the first place.”

She added: “Can we also remember that there are real people behind the screens and to be kind to one another. I don’t want anyone receiving any hate. I hope Charlotte will love Leah just as much as I do.

“But again, thank you so much for your support, I see it all. I can’t want to see what our Leah gets up to from the other side of the screen.”

New episodes of Hollyoaks drop on Channel 4 streaming at 7am from Mondays to Wednesdays, also airing the same night at 7pm on E4.