Hollyoaks shock as show legend returns after TWELVE years away – and cracking Hollywood co-starring with Brad Pitt

HOLLYOAKS legend Emma Rigby has returned to the soap after more than a decade, The Sun can reveal.

The actress quit Hollyoaks in 2010 but is back on home turf in The Sun's exclusive photos.

She played Hannah and was acclaimed for delivering an award winning anorexia storyline.

She then went to Hollywood and was really successful landing roles alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz in the movie The Counsellor.

Now she's returned to the fictional village of Hollyoaks in Chester and has been spotted on set with actor Kieron Richardson who plays Ste Hay.

Clearly excited to be back in Chester, Emma was spotted laughing with Kieron and flashing a huge smile.

The starlet was back in costume as Hannah, wearing a striped shirt dress and a red blazer paired with knee high black boots.

The Sun has contacted Hollyoaks for comment.

During her time on Hollyoaks, Emma gained critical praise for her portrayal of anorexia and bulimia.

The storyline also saw her best friend in the soap, Melissa, pass away from the condition.

Emma's other storylines included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.

Yet despite high praise, she told how she struggled to make it through the door of auditions after she quit in 2010.

Among her famous pals, she now counts legend Sir Ben Kingsley and James Franco.

She previously told The Sun on Sunday: “When I left Hollyoaks I could barely get any interviews for months. Casting directors wouldn’t let me in the door.

“They would just see ‘Hollyoaks’ and say no.

“So when I came to America, it was incredibly liberating to be given the chance to prove what I could do, and that I could transform for roles."

“Now I often have to pinch myself when I think about the things I’m doing.

“I’ve become good friends with Ben Kingsley, and when we went for dinner the other day he dropped into his character from Sexy Beast.

“He was also telling me stories about Martin Scorsese, who is my favourite director ever, and I was sitting there thinking: ‘I can’t believe this.’"

Emma added: "I have definitely had to sacrifice relationships – and some friendships – for my career.

“But I am ambitious, and I do I want to put my career first at the moment. Maybe when I’m a bit further along I’ll settle down and have kids.

Emma, who also starred in BBC hit Prisoners’ Wives, made the decision to move Stateside in 2012.

Back in 2020, she was accused of breaking lockdown rules in the UK by heading to a party during the time coronavirus restrictions were imposed.