Coronation Street actress lands part in rival soap after splitting from co-star

Former Coronation Street star Tisha Merry has been cast in Hollyoaks.

The actress, 32, became known for starring as Steph Britton on ITV's flagship soap from 2013 until 2018 but has now landed the part of Gemma in Channel 4's post-watershed version of continuing drama series in time for the show's 30th anniversary and will be linked to Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who is making a return to the programme. She said: "I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks. It’s a fabulous opportunity and an incredible time to join as they celebrate their 30th birthday week."

Describing her new alter-ego's bubbly personality, she added: "Gemma is flirty, feisty, and the kind of woman you’d want as your best friend… but never your enemy. She’s bold, unpredictable, and trust me when I say, she’ll be entering with a bang. I can’t wait for you all to meet her."

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Meanwhile, Jamie, who is also known for his role as Jake Stone on EastEnders, is making another comeback to Hollyoaks ahead of the milestone teased that the special will see him as his alter-ego 'starts afresh' following his split from Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).

He said: "Warren has been busy since you last saw him, wanting to rebuild his empire and start afresh after the heartbreak with Mercedes. We’ll be filming a lot on location and they’re pulling out all the stops so I’m looking forward to it."

Little is known about the plot of the episode, but Jorgie Porter will also make a comeback as Theresa McQueen following her maternity leave from the programme, and she said: "It’s really exciting to be a part of Laters, I’ve been in so many over the years and they’re always my favourite – hopefully I get a swear word this time.

"Theresa is scheming with an unlikely business partner and its fun to see her living life on the edge again. It’s incredible to time my return with the Hollyoaks 30th birthday week too, I couldn’t miss it."

During her time as Bistro waitress Steph on Coronation Street, Tisha saw the character through a number of storylines after being introduced as the best friend of Katy Armstong (Georgia May Foote). Amongst the most prominent were her becoming a victim of revenge porn at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, and she later struck up a relationship with Andy Carver (Oliver Farnworth), before he was killed by Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre). The builder also murdered Steph's brother Luke Britton, and she made her last appearance when attending his funeral.

But away from the cameras, Tisha also found love with her co-star Alan Halsall, who still plays Tyrone Dobbs to this day. They were in a relationship for five years but announced announced their split in February 2024 after five years of together. At the time, a source told The Sun: “Alan and Tisha ... started to drift apart and feel the pressure of making their relationship work get on top of them. They realised they weren’t on the same page and splitting up felt like the best option. They’ve been focusing on themselves and surrounding themselves with their own friends. Tisha moved out of Alan’s home around a month ago and is throwing herself into work.”

Before dating Tisha, Alan was married to former Coronation Street star Lucy-Jo Hudson. The actress played Katy Harris on the soap from 2002 until 2005 before going on to play Donna-Marie Quinn on Hollyoaks. They were married in 2009 and welcomed a daughter together - but the romance collapsed and they were divorced in 2018.

Lucy-Jo has since welcomed a second child - a son named Carter Ray whose father is Lewis Devine. While Alan and Lucy-Jo co-parent their daughter, Lucy-Jo has spoken out about how difficult she sometimes finds this - particularly when Alan would take their daughter away on holiday.

She wrote on social media last year: "It’s been almost 6 years of me having to share my Sienna, and you’d think I’d be used to it by now but I’m not!"

And former I'mA Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!contestant Alan,42, who has starred as Tyrone on the cobbles since 1998, recently looked loved-up with a new girlfriend Ellie Dolan as he attended the wedding of Corrie's Jack P Shepherd over the weekend. And by attending the Celebrity Big Brother winner's wedding, it looks as though their budding romance appears to be going from strength to strength.

At the time, a source explained to the Mirror : "Alan is really happy. Ellie is a great girl and they have lots of common. And she gets on so well with Sienna, which is so important to Alan. Sienna is his world."

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