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In perhaps the most surprising soap casting of the year thus far, Hollyoaks is bringing back Stephanie Davis three years after her infamous firing.

Executive producer Brian Kirkwood has confirmed that Davis will be filming new scenes as badgirl Sinead O'Connor beginning in August and will be back on screen properly later in the year.

Among Sinead's more notorious on-screen antics include having a fling with her step-mother's husband Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), and fleeing town with young daughter Hannah.

"I am delighted that Stephanie is returning, she's a hugely talented actress who has worked hard to overcome some personal issues," Kirkwood said today (May 21).

"We welcome her return to Hollyoaks to reprise her role as Sinead O'Connor, a brilliant and vibrant character who the audience love. Sinead will make a return to the Hutchinsons family in autumn, no doubt bringing drama in tow."

Davis's previous tenure on Hollyoaks ended in tabloid headlines when she was "terminated with immediate effect" by the show in July 2015, amid reports of her behind-the-scenes conduct.

Even more tabloid headlines followed months later after she started a romantic relationship with model Jeremy McConnell while on Celebrity Big Brother in early 2016, despite dating Sam Reece on the outside.

She later had a child with McConnell, but they are no longer together. For Davis, returning to her roots on Hollyoaks is clearly a chance to put the bad publicity behind her once and for all.

"I'm over the moon to be given this amazing opportunity and so excited to bring feisty Sinead back to Hollyoaks," she said.

"I can't wait to see all the cast and crew there, many that I have known for years.

"I just want to get stuck into learning my first scripts I can't wait to be on set and back acting again, which is my passion."

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/holl...vis-as-sinead/