Hollyoaks' Charlie Dean return confirmed after 'exit' sparked fan fury

Charlie Dean is set to make a return to Hollyoaks, despite earlier reports that actor Charlie Behan was departing the Channel 4 soap after a long-standing run of 13 years.

Behan originally joined the cast in 2011 as the child of Becca Dean and Justin Burton, replacing Joshua McConville in the role.

Although the soap took a dramatic time leap last September which saw Charlie's character absent whilst his on-screen family were embroiled in a significant storyline, involving Frankie Osborne (played by Isabelle Smith) coming forward about her twin brother JJ Osbourne (Ryan Mulvey)'s sexual abuse.

Upcoming spoilers for Wednesday's episode (November 20) tease: "Frankie is delighted by Charlie's visit home. He's shocked when Lucas reveals the news about Dillon and Leah."

This revelation comes amidst speculation of Charlie possibly being father to Leah Barnes' (Ela-May Demircan) baby following the show's timeline advance. Fans were thrown into chatter over paternity guesses, only for it to be later confirmed that Dillon Ray (Nathanial Dass), not Charlie, is the child's father.

Leah's sibling, Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis), was betrayed by Dillon who had an affair while Lucas was doing time in a youth detention centre for assaulting JJ upon discovering the abuse Frankie endured. Now that Charlie is venturing back to the village, viewers are left wondering what impact his return will have on the already troubled family dynamics, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Charlie's anticipated comeback to the village is set to send shockwaves amongst fans, following their previous outrage over his abrupt exit. Devotees of the show voiced their displeasures openly when he left; one fan remarked: "NO! ! ! ! ! Why? Charlie has always been such a great