Emerick is playing Vicky and Andre’s estranged dad Donny.

By James Hibbs

Published: Tuesday, 02 April 2024 at 13:36 PM


Louis Emerick, star of classic soap Brookside and recent ITV comedy G’wed, is joining the cast of Hollyoaks, and is set to play Donny Clark.

Donny is the estranged father of David Joshua-Anthony’s Andre Clark and Anya Lawrence’s Vicky Grant, who will first be seen making surprise appearance at Vicky’s 18th birthday party and being met with a frosty reception.

A character description for Donny says: “Charisma personified, Donny is a confident and charming man with an infectious personality and a kind heart.

“He always tries to do right for his kids and he comes to the village ready to build a relationship with estranged daughter Vicky.”

Emerick will first appear as Donny on the episode airing on Tuesday 9th April, 35 years to the day since his first episode on Brookside.

The Hollyoaks episode will be available to stream early on Channel 4 from Monday 8th April.

Louis Emerick as Donny Clark in Hollyoaks, looking at the camera and wearing a brown shirt
Louis Emerick as Donny Clark in Hollyoaks.
Channel 4

Talking about joining the soap, Emerick said “Donny is coming back to see his son and it collides with his daughter’s birthday, which is very emotional, as it’s the first time he has met her.

“It has equally been moving for me, personally. I was there when Hollyoaks began.

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“We sat with the Brookside and Hollyoaks crew and watched a screening of the first ever episode in 1995. It is so exciting to be back with this vibrant cast and crew, back on the set where it all began.”

Emerick played Mick Johnson on Brookside, which was also created by Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond, from 1989 to 2001, with classic episodes available to stream now on STV Player.

He isn’t the only former star of a different soap to have recently joined Hollyoaks, with EastEnders‘s Rita Simons taking over the role of Marie Fielding.