Hollyoaks defies doom-mongers as it lands biggest ratings of the year | Soaps [Video]

Hollyoaks are celebrating their biggest week of the year so far after moving to a digital-first strategy.

This means that new episodes now debut on Channel 4’s streaming service before airing the following day on E4.

The figures are a promising sign for the long-running Chester-based soap, which is celebrating thirty years on air next year. These viewing highs have been driven by gripping, issue-led stories.

Behind-the-scenes, things haven’t been easy – with up to 135 members of cast and crew facing redundancy after a new deal was signed between the broadcaster and producers Lime Pictures to secure it’s future in a new multi-year deal.

Changes on-screen have already began to be implemented, with a number of fan favourites, such as Ross Adams’ Scott Drinkwell, already departing.

In the coming weeks, ahead of a UK soap-first time jump that will see the action sky-rocket one year into the future, we’ll also see long-running characters Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring…