Sarah Jayne Dunn is returning to 'Hollyoaks'.

Sarah Jayne Dunn

Sarah Jayne Dunn

The 35-year-old actress will reprise her role as Mandy Richardson - who she played on and off from 1996 until 2011 this summer and is delighted to be back.

Three of Mandy's former lovers, Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), Tony Hutchinson - with whom she had a daughter who tragically died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Darren Osbourne (Ashley Taylor Dawson), are still in the show, while Gary Lucy is also returning as ex-boyfriend Luke Morgan, and Sarah Jayne is delighted to be around some familiar faces.

Though the characters' return details are being kept under wraps, the actress hinted Mandy could once again turn her attention to Tony (Nick Pickard), despite him being happily settled with wife Diane (Alex Fletcher).

She said: "It's so nice being back. Who knows if Mandy is after Tony, there will be some interaction with him. I'm so thrilled with what's going to be going on with the character and I can't wait for people to see it.

"The best thing about being back is seeing loads of familiar faces, cast and crew and it's just a really nice place to work. I started filming a couple of weeks ago so I've bedded back in."

Meanwhile, Gary - who departed his role as rape victim Luke Morgan in 2002 - is thrilled he isn't the only old face returning to the programme.

He said: "I love being back, there are a lot of cast and crew that are still here that I remember and I've got a lot of fun memories from my time at Hollyoaks - It feels like being home.

"I've filmed my first few scenes and I'm really excited about the storylines. It's been fun

being back on set with Ashley Taylor Dawson and bringing Luke and Darren back together. It's also great to hear that Sarah Jayne is coming back, I'm sure Luke and Mandy's paths will cross."

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