Exclusive: Mystery Christmas arrival for 'Hollyoaks'

Hollyoaks' McQueen family will be rocked this Christmas when a family secret crawls out of the woodwork – in the shape Myra's long-lost son.

Former Brookside actor Barry Sloane, 26, has joined the Channel 4 soap to play Niall Rafferty, a child whom Myra abandoned in a church when she was 14.

Speaking of the newcomer, Producer Bryan Kirkwood exclusively told DS: "He's a tall stranger who walks into the village – a guy called Niall. He sets himself up as a hair stylist in the salon and he's very ambiguous and mysterious.

"Viewers will be wondering 'Is he gay? Is he straight?' We play a couple of red-herring stories: Will he get off with Louise and come between her and Warren? Will he get off with Carmel? Or will he get off with John Paul?"

However, unaware of his true identity, Myra takes him into her bosom and his secret is revealed to viewers on Christmas Day.

Bryan continued: "We discover that Myra's first born was a boy that Nana McQueen made Myra leave in a church on Christmas Day when she was 14. We see Niall on Christmas Day this year steal a McQueen family photograph and burn it – Myra's secret, abandoned son is back to wreak revenge…"

Of his new role, Sloane said: "I'm really looking forward to playing Niall. From what I know about the storyline he sounds like an amazing character – I can't wait to get my teeth into the role."

Sloane has previously appeared in Brookside as Ruth Gordon's abusive ex-husband, Sean Smith.

His first Hollyoaks scenes are due to transmit at the beginning of December.

Check back later today for DS's full interview with Bryan Kirkwood.