Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard has joked he doesn't want to work too closely with Stephanie Davis when she makes her sensational return to the soap in two months' time.

Nick Pickard as Tony Hutchinson

Nick Pickard as Tony Hutchinson

The 25-year-old actress will reprise her role as troublemaker Sinead O'Connor on the show later this year, but Nick - who plays her on-screen step-father Tony Hutchinson - doesn't want to be too near her in case their alter egos star an affair again.

Speaking on 'This Morning' on Friday (25.05.18), Nick said you can "never tell" what will happen with "wild child" Sinead but "Hopefully they won't do that again as him and Dianne, who is obviously her mother, are in a good place again."

But the 42-year-old actor can already predict that Sinead's return will be explosive.

He explained: "She doesn't start until August I believe. It will be good definitely."

Stephanie announced that she was returning to the show as Sinead - two years after the character fled the fictional village with Ste Hay's (Kieron Richardson) daughter Hannah - earlier this week and admitted she was "over the moon" about the job.

She said: "I'm over the moon to be given this amazing opportunity and so excited to bring feisty Sinead back to 'Hollyoaks'.

"I can't wait to see all the cast and crew there, many that I have known for years. I just want to get stuck into learning my first scripts I can't wait to be on set and hear the 1ST AD shout 'rolling up' and be back acting again, which is my passion."

The brunette beauty - who has 16-month-old son Caben with her ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell - has had somewhat of a tough time recently but 'Hollyoaks' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has praised the former 'Celebrity Big Brother' star for working hard to "overcome some personal issues".

He said: "I am delighted that Stephanie is returning, she's a hugely talented actress who has worked hard to overcome some personal issues.

"We welcome her return to 'Hollyoaks' to reprise her role as Sinead O'Connor, a brilliant and vibrant character who the audience love.

"Sinead will make a return to the Hutchinsons' family in autumn, no doubt bringing drama in tow."