HOLLYOAKS IRL: CHANNEL 4 ANNOUNCE SHORT FILMS INSPIRED BY SOAP

Channel 4 has commissioned Lime Digital to produce Hollyoaks: IRL: a series of short films exploring real-life stories behind Channel 4’s flagship continuing drama’s biggest issues.

The series will feature both Hollyoaks viewers whose lives have been forever changed by watching the show, as well as individuals whose lived experiences have helped shape some of the show’s most important and talked about storylines.

Each episode will premiere with a sneak preview on Snapchat Discover on Tuesdays, followed by full episodes available across Channel 4 socials each Wednesday.

The series will launch during Men’s Mental Health Week, kicking off on Tuesday 15th June with the story of John Junior, whose life was saved after watching a male mental health and suicide storyline starring Ashley Taylor Dawson (who plays Darren Osborne).

In Hollyoaks: IRL, Stopping my Suicide; we meet John Junior (they/them) who had planned to take their own life but stopped after watching Hollyoaks and seeing the devastating impact of much-loved character Kyle Kelly’s suicide on his loved ones – best friend, Darren Osborne and his fiancée, Nancy.

Lucy Allan, Hollyoaks Executive Producer said: "Hollyoaks storylines are borne out of a range of diverse places, we scrutinise research from charities about the new issues that our youthful audience may be experiencing, or could be in the near future and the personal stories that our writers bring to the table. Issues that are affecting their lives, or those of loved ones, friends and neighbours...

“The multi-platform support we have from Lime Digital is vital to Hollyoaks and we are thrilled that they are telling the real-life stories that make Hollyoaks so authentic.”