Ricky Whittle Returns to Hollyoaks – as a “Ghost”

Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks is bringing back Ricky Whittle – dead character Calvin Valentine – as a spook. The character was killed-off last year on his wedding day.

Producers Lime Pictures say, “Youth drama Hollyoaks is about to suffer spooky goings on when Carmel Valentine (Gemma Merna) calls upon God in her hour of need and is faced with her hunky dead husband Calvin (Ricky Whittle). “

Last May viewers saw the shocking demise of Calvin Valentine the night of his wedding to Carmel. It wasn’t clear who shot Calvin until the episode aired and it transpired that Theresa was to blame. However, the McQueen’s rallied together as always and framed innocent Kyle for the murder.

“Escaped from prison and hell bent on revenge, Kyle kidnaps Theresa and baby Kathleen-Angel. The hostage results in a violent showdown at a disused bank, which leaves the lives of some of our most treasured characters hanging in the balance. “ Lime Pictures add.

Carmel is at a loss when Theresa (Jorgie Porter) flat lines in surgery and it’s not looking good for baby Kathleen-Angel either. In a bid to gain hope Carmel visits the chapel. A heartfelt plea to the man above leads to the appearance of Carmel’s dead husband Calvin. Calvin’s spirit reignites Carmel’s love for the man she lost and leads her to make some tough decisions about her future…

“That’s right the handsome Ricky Whittle will be back on our screens for a few exciting episodes mid February following the previous week’s stunt involving Kyle (Neil Toon) who is due to stand trial for the murder of Ricky’s character Calvin.” Say Lime Pictures.

It’s not the first time UK soaps have had spooky goings-on. Last year Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) returned ‘from the dead’ as an apparition in Coronation Street as her hubby Jack (Bill Tarmey) died in their home. Vera herself also had a run-in with a former Weatherfield resident when she ‘felt the presence’ of deceased former factory workmate Ivy Brennan (Lynne Perrie).

In Emmerdale Trisha Dingle (Sheree Murphy) – killed when the Woolpack Chimney fell on her during a storm – reappeared to husband Marlon (Mark Charnock) and Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) saw husband Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) on the day of his funeral, standing over his grave. While in 1960s Crossroads things took on a darker level when a spirit spooked waitresses Marilyn Gates (Sue Nicholls) [pictured right] and Diane Lawton (Susan Hanson) over several weeks – including having a bedside lamp thrown at them!

The character of Calvin will spirit himself back into the teen soap from February 14th 2011.

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4