Luke returns to Hollyoaks…
AS GARY LUCY MAKES A RETURN AFTER 15 YEARS, HE TELLS US THAT HOLLYOAKS WAS THE LAST PLACE HE EXPECTED TO BE…
I hope to avoid my new co-stars – they’re too good-looking!
Simon Webbe from Blue has just walked past me – I’ll put him on the phone to you!” announces Gary Lucy, as we’re mid-chat about him reprising the role of Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks. It’s one of the odder exchanges Inside Soap has had during an interview, but Simon is perfectly lovely to us, despite having no idea at all who he’s talking to! “I’m at home by the way, not at
Hollyoaks,” Gary tells us, as he reclaims his phone from the passing pop star. “Simon lives round the corner from me. There’s not about to be a big reveal about him joining the show or anything!”
We’re slightly relieved, as it has been hard to keep up with all the comings and goings in the village recently. Luckily, Gary is a familiar face to the long-term viewers of the show, with his character Luke having played out one of the most controversial storylines of Hollyoaks’ early days – soap’s first male rape plot – and one which earned the show its first British Soap Award.
Now, 15 years after leaving the soap, Gary is back for more – and as he explains, it came as just as much of a shock to him as it was to us… Did you ever expect to come back?
In all honesty, no! Hollyoaks was an amazing part of my life, and it’s probably the job I’m most remembered for. But it was so long ago – I always think people are showing their age when they call me Luke. So I really didn’t think this would ever happen. What was your initial reaction when you got the call? Bryan Kirkwood [the show’s executive producer] phoned me and went through all the stories he had planned for
Luke and – without sounding like a big girl’s blouse – he made my hair stand on end when he was telling me! That was pretty special. It was just a lovely chat, he was very creative and so enthusiastic. I’m really happy to be back home and doing what we’re doing. What was it like stepping back on to the set again after so many years? It’s very similar in a lot of ways, and it’s very different in a lot of other ways. The people I’m with on screen are the ones I’ve worked with before, which is just a dream. But it’s a big machine now that it’s on five times a week – it was only twice a week when I first started. So it’s much more chaotic now! We know that Mandy Richardson, played by Sarah Jayne Dunn, is back too. Is her return linked to Luke’s? I can’t say too much, but I hope so. Mandy was Luke’s first love – I remember he spotted her on a bus way back when and announced he was going to marry her one day! So it would be a shame if their paths didn’t cross. There are many new characters in the show now. Is there anyone you’d like scenes with? They’re all too young and good-looking, to be honest – I’m hoping to avoid them at all costs! It’s been lovely to catch up with Duncan [James, aka Ryan], though, as I’ve known the Blue boys for years. I’ve not had the pleasure of filming with him yet, but he’s a genuinely nice guy. Who from among your old cast mates have you kept in touch with? Mikyla Dodd [Chloe Bruce] was my best friend in the show. She’s godmother to my three kids [India, Sadie and Elvis], and was best woman at my wedding. But it’s also been great catching up with Jimmy Mckenna [Jack], Nick Pickard [Tony] and Ashley Taylor Dawson [Darren] since I’ve been back. Can you give us any hints about what we can expect? Strap yourselves in, because there’s going to be a lot going on! I’m really excited and I hope we do it justice – it’s important to me that we do.
Turn the page to find out who else Luke will be catching up with…