'Hollyoaks' return was hassle-free for Dunn

Sarah Jayne Dunn has publicly thanked the Hollyoaks cast for making her feel welcome following her return to the soap.

The actress reprised her role as Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 show last month after a two-year break.

Sarah told Hot TV magazine: "The cast has changed a bit but the lovely thing is most of the crew are the same. I felt a bit like the new girl on the first day but within an hour it was as if I'd been there ages."

During her time away from the programme, Sarah had a two-week guest stint on Doctors and landed a part in crime movie The Best Years. She also appears in new Batman sequel The Dark Knight.

"I actually asked to come back. It seemed the right time for my character," Sarah continued. "Mandy came back for Max's wedding and stayed for his funeral, but I wanted to return and re-establish the character rather than just dip in and out. I've worked quite a lot since and can bring that experience to Mandy, who has changed a lot.

"I am contracted for six months which means I'll be on-screen until the end of the year - who knows what will happen after that? I'm just happy to be back and having a brilliant time, which is all I'm concentrating on at the moment."