Carley Stenson: 'Soaps need to go back to basics'

Former Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson has claimed that soaps should go "back to basics" in order to keep viewers happy.

The actress, who departed her role as Steph Roach last year, suggested that serial dramas are currently struggling to match the appeal of reality shows.

Stenson told Bang Showbiz: "It's difficult at the moment because there are so many reality TV shows covering normal scenarios and it is a lot for soaps to compete with, which I think is why they're going above and beyond normality.

"But I think they've got to go back to basics and think about why people started watching the shows in the first place. They need to really develop the characters they've got, rather than bringing in loads of new ones.

"When there are too many characters viewers get confused and don't care about them. I really do hope the soaps get the viewers back from the reality TV shows."

Stenson is currently appearing in the lead role of Elle Woods in the West End production of Legally Blonde.

The 28-year-old also recently said that she would love to star in the rumoured Coronation Street musical.

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Watch Steph say goodbye to Cindy in Hollyoaks in the video below: