JAMIE Lomas has revealed the Hollyoaks cast are set to work overtime and cancel holidays to get the soap back on air after its shutdown.
The actor – who is best known for playing bad boy Warren Fox – is currently on a break from the E4 show after production came to a halt due to the coronavirus last month.
In an exclusive interview with HOAR Online, Jamie reassured viewers it will be “all hands on deck” to ensure the show is back on air once lockdown is over.
In fact, some cast members may even be asked to work weekends.
The 44-year-old said: “With everything that’s going on who knows what is going to happen because we’ve had to put filming on hold.
“It’ll be manic, I imagine, when we get back. But I’m sure they’ll have a plan. They know what they’re doing and I’m sure it’ll be all hands on deck.
“One thing about Hollyoaks is everybody works their backsides off. They’re really invested in the show. We’ll see what madness occurs.”
Jamie continued: “Who knows how long this is going to be. Nobody knows what is going on, we can only hang fire and see what happens.
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be like, ‘You know those holidays you’ve got booked? Can we, uh, take them off you?’
“But you know, we’ll all put … if we have to work Saturdays to get the show back in shape I’m sure everyone will do it.”
Jamie made his soap comeback earlier this year after disappearing with Sienna’s twins in 2017 shortly after she gave birth.
And while fans were thrilled by his return, Jamie revealed it also coincided with an important upcoming date.
He continued: “The 25th anniversary was one of the reasons why I came back. Bryan [Kirkwood] took me out for dinner and said, ‘We have the 25th anniversary coming up this year and we really want you to be a part of it.’
“I’m privileged to be part of something iconic. 25 years is a great milestone.
“I can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store. One thing I think Hollyoaks does probably better than any other show is stunts.”
Despite the well deserved break, Jamie insists he’s missed his soap family during the ongoing pandemic.
The entire cast are currently in lockdown, with script writers working from home on future episodes.
“I think it [coronavirus] has kind of made everybody realise how grateful we are just to do those simple things in life,” he added.
“I’ve certainly missed work. I’ve missed my Hollyoaks family. It’s bizarre but they become your family. You spend more time with them than your own family.”
Hollyoaks has now been reduced to twice a week.
A spokeswoman confirmed the change in schedule last month, saying: “From Monday 30th March, we will be reducing the number of our weekly new episodes from five down to three, which will air Monday to Wednesday.
“To make sure we stay on air every week night, fans can look forward to extra special episodes every Thursday and Friday on E4, as we begin a brand new series of Hollyoaks Favourites.”