Bonus Scoop: 'Hollyoaks' Producer Bryan Kirkwood

I managed to catch up with Hollyoaks' boss Bryan Kirkwood at the end of last week to chat about his plans for the Chester-based soap's residents over the coming months. For the main part of the chat, click here. But first, check out the teasers below...

Calvin / Carmel
"They're a fantastic couple to come up with stories for. They're engaged at the moment and it's nice to see the lighter side of Calvin. We'll have fun watching Carmel planning the wedding of the millennium and it'll continue to serve the fun war between the Valentines and McQueens."

Tina / Dom / Russ / Jacqui / Tony
"The surrogacy plot has provided us with loads of side avenues for stories and secrets and we've got this big bundle of lies waiting to explode. Niall plays a major part in the birth of Tina's baby and it provides her with the opportunity to really fight back after effectively being the ignored member of the family. It'll also give Claire Cooper [Jacqui] and Nick Pickard [Tony] another opportunity to show off their acting talents. Tony and Jacqui are one of those couples that we can have fun with - but also will blow the audience away when dealing with tragedy.

"Add to the fact that Tony slept with Mercedes; that Mercedes's ex-husband Russ is actually the father of Tina's baby and not Tony; and that Jacqui is aware of this and keeping it secret from Tony - there's so much ammunition in store."

Ste / Amy
"I'm really proud of the way Kieron Richardson has portrayed Ste, dare I say sympathetically, so we can understand but not condone his behaviour. He and Ashley [Slanina Davies] are delivering brilliant performances as two young kids portray the reality of so many 16-17-year-olds as they struggle to make a life for themselves and repeat the mistakes of their parents. It's a very real situation and some of their scenes still to come are downright shocking. It's set to become a very big story as the year progresses.

"There are a couple of pregnancy mix-ups between Mike, Zoe and Ste and Amy along the way that'll result in one pregnancy sticking around..."

Osbornes
"The 'new Osbornes' of Jack, Frankie, Darren and Newt - it seems like the family's been reborn. Ashley Taylor-Dawson's having the biggest year I think he's had in the show and Darren's one of my favourite characters. Ashley's one of those people that can do comedy and pathos within the blink of an eye. He's slap bang in the middle of another our biggest stories for 2008 as he concocts a scheme to help his dad out of his crippling debts that will change this family forever. There's a real shocker of an episode coming up that sees the story step up a gear.

"Nico's nomination for Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards was great recognition for this young actor. He's made me believe in this lost and isolated emo kid. His unusual friendship with his Eli will feature heavily over the summer months as we see Eli push Newt into darker and murkier territory. There's a real twist in store for this storyline which I think is a first in British soap."