'Hollyoaks' producer considers 'sunset ending'

John Paul McQueen and Craig Dean's affair in Hollyoaks, which captured the hearts and imaginations of millions, came to a head in September – but the mastermind behind the plot hasn't ruled out a resolve.

Producer Bryan Kirkwood had no idea that the once-"germ of an idea" would be as successful as it subsequently turned out to be and can't believe he's accepting awards for it almost two years since its inception.

The 'McDean' plot – which has received the DS soap award for 'Storyline of the Year' – saw two best friends John Paul (James Sutton) and Craig (Guy Burnet) come to terms with their feelings for each other and culminated in the departure of Craig from the Channel 4 soap, the character leaving Chester for a new university life in Dublin.

Since then, DS forum members have been campaigning for a resolve to one of the most successful storylines in the soap's history.

Speaking of a possible 'sunset ending', producer Kirkwood told DS: "I have to acknowledge the 'sunset ending' campaigners – I've never known anything like it. We take the cards, the pictures, the chocolates - the mania!

"I take everything to the storyline conferences and show them to the writers who receive them as well. Honestly, thank you so much to everyone that sends them in. It's insane but it's really gratifying."

He continued: "As to whether we'll have a sunset ending, I really, really don't know at this moment. But I know how popular it would be and I'd be a fool not to pursue it as an idea."

Of the idea, James Sutton added: "I'd be up for that. It'd depend on the script. I think if you're going to do something like that which relied so heavily on two characters, it'd have to be so well thought out and so well done. But, yeah, I'd be up for it – that's if Hollywood hasn't called!"

DS Soap Awards 2008
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