Brookside legend 'didn't expect' to be offered Hollyoaks role 35 years after soap debut

Louis Emerick has shared his shock at getting a call from Hollyoaks bosses to join the cast of the Channel 4 soap 35 years after he made his debut on Brookside. The actor, 64, is best known for playing Mick Johnson from 1989 until 2001, appearing in 223 episodes. Some of the character's most memorable storylines include being the victim of racial abuse and a steroid addiction but now Louis has returned to Soapland as mysterious market owner Donny Clark in Hollyoaks.

Speaking about joining the cast year this year, Louis said: "I was asked to come along to audition and I must admit Hollyoaks was never on my radar. because I never thought I was part of their demographic. In 1995, when it started, Phil Redmond [Brookshicalled us all from Brookie and said 'come and watch the first episode of our new show'. I never thought I would have got the call at all.

"I came along to the screen test and got offered it so I spoke to Alex Fletcher [who plays Diane Hutchinson in Hollyoaks and played Jacqui Dixon in Brookside] and she said how much she enjoyed and all that so I seemed to have come in at a good time.

"I've been talking to the veterans of the show and since Hannah's [Cheers, executive producer] watch they say she's been a breath of fresh air, no disrespect to anybody who's been before, but I'm getting the vibe it's in good hands."

Louis' character Donny takes centre stage in the conclusion to the gripping Who Is Blue? storyline which will air tonight (Friday, September 6) on E4 in a special double bill episode.

Police are swarming Hollyoaks village following Warren Fox's (Jamie Lomas) escape from prison and his face is everywhere. Blue aka Dave Williams (Dominic Power) is lurking with a gun and there is a bomb under Ste Hay's