Big Rhys, Jacqui plot ahead for 'Oaks

Hollyoaks' series producer Paul Marquess has revealed that Rhys Ashworth and Jacqui McQueen are to take centre stage in a significant new storyline.

The pair's relationship has proved popular with fans since they started dating late last year, but the dangerous presence of gangster Danny Houston made life difficult for the duo until he was killed off in a shock storyline at Christmas.

Speaking in an interview with Digital Spy, Marquess confirmed that Rhys and Jacqui's romance will be tested once again in the months ahead.

He explained: "They have got the biggest story for the first half of 2011. I think it may be one of the biggest stories in Hollyoaks history. It's very, very serious and I think it will really divide the audience.

"It will really test them and their relationship to the nth degree, and we'll see whether they can recover from it. For the first half of 2011, it's the big story."

Marquess also named budding journalist Nancy Hayton (Jessica Fox) as another character who has a major plotline ahead.

He said: "Nancy has a massive story from the summer right the way through to the autumn. It might be Jess Fox's biggest story ever, which she's very excited about."

> Click here to read our interview with Hollyoaks boss Paul Marquess
> Click here to read more from Paul Marquess in Soap Scoop