McCarthy confirms short 'Oaks return

Gerard McCarthy has confirmed that he will be back on screen in Hollyoaks within the next few weeks.

The actor bowed out from his role as Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap earlier this year and subsequently landed the part of Fenton in a production of The Merry Wives Of Windsor at the Globe Theatre.

However, in the aftermath of next week's explosive fire episodes, Kris makes a brief return to the village - although the full circumstances surrounding his comeback are currently unknown.

Writing on Twitter, McCarthy announced: "Okay.... so the cat's outta the bag! I am going back to Hollyoaks. It's only a flying visit this time though! I filmed it on a day when I didn't have a show @The_Globe...AND...I didn't go back for a funeral!!!"

Later, he added: "Wow! I'm overwhelmed by all your tweets! I really only did it cuz you all said you missed Kris.... so it's a big thank you to you lot!"

Kris's brother Malachy (Glen Wallace) is among the characters who are left in peril in the soap's shock blaze, which will be the focus of a special block of episodes next week.

McCarthy recently reprised his Merry Wives role in New York. The production is being staged at the city's Schimmel Centre.