Whittle: 'Oaks won't change dramatically'

Ricky Whittle has said that he does not expect Hollyoaks' new series producer Paul Marquess to make major changes to the soap's style.

The actor, who recently filmed his final scenes as Calvin Valentine, predicted that the Channel 4 show will remain familiar to viewers in the months ahead.

Speaking to Holy Soap, Whittle commented: "Every new producer wants to put their stamp on it and make their mark. You can't change it too much because at the end of the day people like consistency and like watching what they know and who they know.

"It won't change dramatically but we will see a little shuffle around and a few new characters come in."

Since taking over from his predecessor Lucy Allan in January, Marquess has axed a number of characters and announced a string of new castings.

Asked whether he thinks the changes are a positive move, Whittle replied: "We can only wait and see. I stand in front of the camera, not behind. I find it hard enough to concentrate on my lines than whether it's a good move to employ certain people and go with certain storylines. Apparently he has great ideas. Fingers crossed the show can go onwards and upwards."