Fans of Hollyoaks switched over to E4 in their droves on Friday night to watch the aftermath of Jono's death.

Some 869,000 - a 4% share of all viewers - watched 7pm's first look episode which focused on Ste Hay's critical condition, as well as a further 166k on +1.

The 6.30pm broadcast of Jono's death and Dylan Llewellyn's final appearance managed 1.19m (5.7%) and 106k on timeshift, the teen soap's highest Channel 4 rating all week.

Good ratings

It is indeed, hopefully a sign to come now Bryan Kirkwood is back in charge of the show:).

I missed the E4 episode, apparently there was not much in the aftermath of the crash?

Um basically Dogger went back the Savages but found out where his real dad lived, and Liberty found gold or something like that

Phoebe burnt Rhys stuff and Jackie was pissed at her

Ally was being wired again

Lacey and Martha made up sorta

oh and Stes Kids were annoying and basically said Ste was going to die to Doug but Ste woke up in the end

Thank you. That is a bit disappointing, some more focus on the crash aftermath would have been good.

Bryan Kirkwood certainly has lots of things to improve on for the shows benefit!

Hope he keeps the Kane family and Phoebe, great additions to the show

Yeah I have to admit the E4 ep was a bit too Savage based :bored:

Phoebe is great!

Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood has said that the soap needs to appeal to a "wider audience" again.

Kirkwood, who returned to Lime Pictures in April following a two-year stint in charge of EastEnders, is currently overseeing Hollyoaks as executive producer following series producer Emma Smithwick's decision to stand down.

Revealing his future plans for the show, Kirkwood told Inside Soap: "What Hollyoaks has always done very well is telling strong rites-of-passage stories for its younger characters, and in the past couple of years the show has continued to appeal to the younger viewers.

"Where it needed to perform better was in appealing to a wider audience, and that's something we're doing now. I want to get back to basics and focus on family and friendships - the older and younger characters can sit alongside each other nicely. We'll be telling exciting soap stories for them every week."

Kirkwood revealed that last week's dramatic wedding day disaster storyline, which led to the deaths of Rhys, Maddie, Neil and Jono, was designed to engage older viewers as well as the show's younger fanbase.

He explained: "I've been working alongside Emma Smithwick and we decided that it was time for a big, show-stopping, blockbuster sequence to grab the audience's attention and hopefully bring them back to Hollyoaks. We realised we needed to engage some of the older audience again and this was how to do it.

"The high death toll was a mix of us feeling that some characters had come to the end of the line, and other actors deciding it was time for them to go."

The show's producer also confirmed that more characters will bow out in the coming weeks.

"We have a number of characters leaving in the next couple of months," he said. "Again, some of them are at the end of the characters' natural life and some actors want to spread their wings. It's sad to see old favourites go, but on a show like Hollyoaks we're always looking for the next stars."

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.

For more breaking entertainment and tech coverage follow Digital Spy on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...to-basics.html

They are getting rid of the dead wood I hope

Sounds good. I hoped he'd cull the deadwood and he's already made a good start.

I agree wonder who will be leaving soon, we know Ally is and I reckon Bart has to go soon

Now the lovely Steven can be the star of the show! I love BK! :amazed::cheer2:

well that one way

'Hollyoaks': Will and Texas betray Dodger

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...-pictures.html

'Hollyoaks' boss promises "great" John Paul storylines

http://i1.cdnds.net/10/46/M/soaps_em...on_generic.jpg

Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood has said that he hopes viewers will grow to accept John Paul McQueen's return as a single man.

Last month, Digital Spy exclusively revealed that James Sutton had agreed to reprise his role as John Paul, who will be back on screen just before Christmas.

John Paul's relationship with Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) is still fondly remembered by fans, but as he is heading back to the village alone, it appears that things have not worked out for the popular couple.

Kirkwood, Hollyoaks' executive producer, told Inside Soap: "As writers and producers, we were just as big fans of Craig and John Paul's love story as the viewers were - but the fact is that James wanted to return and Guy Burnet didn't.

"I hope the audience gives us time to prove that it's the right decision. Just because it's the end of Craig and John Paul for now doesn't mean there aren't some great stories we can tell about John Paul as a single man."

http://i1.cdnds.net/10/36/M/soaps_ea...irkwood_02.jpg

Kirkwood (pictured left) added that John Paul may not be the only face from the past to reappear in the coming months.

Asked to name his favourite character, Kirkwood replied: "That's tough. I've got a really long list right now.

"And we're currently in discussions about which old favourites we can bring back, so watch this space!"

:o

'Hollyoaks': Mercedes McQueen trial shocks revealed

Hollyoaks schemer Mercedes McQueen will blacken the name of her late fiancé Riley Costello in a desperate bid to secure her freedom next month.

Mercedes is currently awaiting trial after framing Mitzeee Minniver for attempted murder and staging a fake kidnap of her baby son Bobby. The all-important court scenes will arrive on screen in early December.

http://i2.cdnds.net/12/08/300x225/so...es_mcqueen.jpg

Viewers will see Mercedes's cunning solicitor Jim McGinn advise her to blame Riley for everything, pointing out that it's her best option as the dead footballer isn't around to defend himself.

Although a vulnerable Mercedes is reluctant to take Jim's advice, she eventually gets on board with the idea and tells a shocked courtroom that Riley was the one who stabbed her, painting a picture of him as an abusive partner.

Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes, told All About Soap: "That stuff was great to film - the writers came up with some brilliant material. The drama queen is back! It was challenging as well - she completely breaks down and says how bad Riley was. From the audience's point of view, it's really going to be quite shocking."

Asked whether Mercedes feels guilty, the actress replied: "Yes. She does feel guilty about it, but only as guilty as Mercedes can ever feel. So she gets over it very quickly!"

Fans can also expect to see Doctor Browning (Joe Thompson) back for the trial scenes as he takes the stand to give his version of events.

Although viewers know that Browning murdered Lynsey Nolan, one false suggestion made during the courtroom deceit is that Riley could have been the real killer.

On how Mercedes feels about seeing Browning again, Metcalfe revealed: "It's a total surprise. I don't think she knows how she'll react until she actually sees him, and when she does they're back in that moment when he was dragged away from her. She really did fall for him hook, line and sinker."

Yeah. I am glad that he is making the cast smaller and in general I am excited about the transition period now the show is on the route to sorting itself out!

This sounds amazing, looking forward to it

oh my

Brian Kirkwood! :worship: I want Claire, Warren and Walker back! :dance:

yeah they were good