Hollyoaks brings in Emmerdale boss to overhaul flagging soap – with soap unrecognisable as huge storylines axed

HOLLYOAKS has brought in an Emmerdale boss to revamp the ailing soap and swing the axe against storylines.

The E4 soap has been struggling for some time with falling ratings, being axed from its teatime Channel 4 slot and three bosses abruptly leaving all at once.

Now The Sun can reveal that bosses at production company Lime Pictures have launched an all-out fight to save the soap from sliding further.

They have brought in former Emmerdale producer Hannah Cheers to reverse the decline.

She has replaced former boss Lucy Allan on an interim basis after her sudden departure with her two deputies earlier this year.

Hannah most recently worked at ITV soap Emmerdale as a producer but previously she spent more than a decade learning her craft at Hollyoaks under Bryan Kirkwood.

And it has put her in good stead with her having the confidence of bosses to revive the soap’s fortunes.

A source revealed: “Hannah cut her teeth at Hollyoaks when the show was at its best so she knows what to do to steady the ship.

“The show is in a really precarious situation and needs drastic action to reverse its downward spiral of recent years.

“The cast are really excited to have Hannah back and hope she can work her magic.”

However the source added: “Nothing has been ruled out to put the show back on top.

“If there needs to be a cast cull then there will be a cast cull. Storylines are already being dramatically reworked and changed.

“Usually there’s a lengthy crossover with former producers’ work but this time the production company moved fast and cut the rot out as soon as they could.

• Visit our Hollyoaks page for the latest gossip
• Find all Hollyoaks spoilers here

“The hope is that Hannah will be able to take what was working and improve it and radically overhaul everything that wasn’t and put Hollyoaks back on top where it belongs.”

Hollyoaks has been contacted for comment.