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1989: The Ryan's Hope finale aired on ABC.

2013: The broadcast TV finale of One Life to Live aired on ABC."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1958: On The Edge of Night, Capt. Bill Marceau (Mandel Kramer) took McGinnis and Lowrey in for questioning.

1969: Joel Crothers aired for the final time on Dark Shadows. He played Joe Haskell and Nathan Forbes on the show.

1975: On Another World, after Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) accepted Mac's (Douglass Watson) marriage proposal at Iris' (Beverlee McKinsey) party, Liz broke away sobbing.

The publicity material for “Tina — the Tina Turner Musical” actually doesn’t use the phrase “starring Adrienne Warren.” It should. And it will. Hitherto unknown in the U.K., the actress was the Tony-nominated standout in Broadway’s “Shuffle Along,” but Warren’s knockdown performance here not only elevates an otherwise routine bio-musical into a triumph, it’s a slam-dunk for every upcoming awards ceremony.

Putting director Phyllida Lloyd in charge of turning Tina’s life story into a theatrical evening was a smart move. Not only is she a highly regarded director of theater and opera classics from her London/Broadway “Mary Stuart” to her recent Donmar Warehouse/St. Ann’s Warehouse all-female Shakespeare trilogy, she and her designer Mark Thompson created the modern-era trend for jukebox musicals with “Mamma Mia!” – which, 18 years later, is still playing in London. Unfortunately, where she had free fictional rein with Abba’s back-catalog,...

1989: The Ryan's Hope finale aired on ABC.

2013: The broadcast TV finale of One Life to Live aired on ABC."History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1958: On The Edge of Night, Capt. Bill Marceau (Mandel Kramer) took McGinnis and Lowrey in for questioning.

1969: Joel Crothers aired for the final time on Dark Shadows. He played Joe Haskell and Nathan Forbes on the show.

1975: On Another World, after Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) accepted Mac's (Douglass Watson) marriage proposal at Iris' (Beverlee McKinsey) party, Liz broke away sobbing. Mac asked the guests to toast the future Mrs. Cory but Iris...

Joining the previously announced Adrienne Warren, who plays the title role, are Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Ike Turner, Madeline Appiah as Tina's mother Zelma Bullock, Jenny Fitzpatrick as the alternate Tina, Lorna Gayle as Tina's Grandmother Gg, Tom Godwin as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten, Francesca Jackson as Ike and Tina's manager Rhonda Graam, Aisha Jawando as Tina's sister Alline Bullock, Natey Jones as Tina's father Richard Bullock and Tina's first love Raymond Hill, Gerard McCarthy as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach and Ryan O'Donnell as Tina's Manager Roger Davies. They are joined by ensemble members Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Keisher Downie, Kit Esuruoso who also plays Tina's son Craig Hill, Jammy Kasongo, Sia Kiwa, Jason Langley, Kayleigh McKnight, Baker Mukasa and Tanisha Spring and swings Derek Aidoo, Gavin Alex, Edward Bourne, Candace Furbert, Hannah Jay-Allan and Rodney Vubya.

Katie Price has caused a Twitter frenzy after entering the Celebrity Big Brother house on tonight's show (January 16).

Many backed the reality queen to do well in the competition, while some had slightly different things to say...

Celebrity Big Brother: 8 things you should know about Katie Price's stay

Celebrity Big Brother: Katie Price vs Katie Hopkins

Check out a selection of reactions to her entrance below:

Let the fun n games commence....#cbb #teamkatieprice

— Katie Price (@MissKatiePrice) January 16, 2015

We hate each other but my god @MissKatiePrice - best casting/series ever!! Well done @bbuk #cbb

— Jaiden Micheal (@jaidenofficial) January 16, 2015

This is not the first time Perez and Katie Price have met... #CBB #CBBPerez #CBBKatiePrice pic.twitter.com/jISMzYnZED

— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) January 16, 2015

I think @MissKatiePrice could win this #CBB

— Bobby Norris (@BobbyCNorris) January 16, 2015

I think we all wanted @MissKatiePrice to go in there and unleash hell,...

Casting is now complete best known as series regular 'Kris Fisher' in Channel 4's Hollyoaks most recently seen on screen in BBC2's The Fall, and on Netflix' epic Titanic Blood and Steel, Gerard McCarthy will star as 'Tony'. Other theatrical credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Globe, and BlueOrange for Atg. Vanessa Babirye, recently seen on screen in BBC 2's Our Girl, and at the National Theatre in Romeo and Juliet will star as 'Leah'. Also joining the company will be Rob Ellis and Natalie Law.

Gerard McCarthy and Tobias Menzies have joined the cast of BBC Four's upcoming comedy series Puppy Love.

McCarthy, who played Kris Fisher in Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2010, will join Menzies as a guest on the programme. The show focuses on Nana V (played by Jo Scanlan) and her dog-training classes.

She and Naomi Singh (played by Vicki Pepperdine) are very different women who navigate through life with their headstrong dogs, impossible teenagers and disappointing husbands.

Menzies will play a client of Nana V in one episode of the six-episode series.

McCarthy will also star in one episode as character Damon Peachey. The actor tweeted about joining the show, saying: "Absolutely delighted to be part of @BBCcomedy 'Puppy Love', written by the Hilarious Joanna Scanlan & @vickipepperdine. #LearningFromTheBest."

Puppy Love was originally commissioned back in July 2013. Other guest stars lined up to feature in the comedy include Mark Lews from 37 Days,...

CBS gave the go-ahead to another NCIS spinoff, along with a retelling of the classic comedy The Odd Couple that will star Matthew Perry.

Tea Leoni will also debut on CBS this fall as the Secretary of State while Laurie Metcalf returns in a family sitcom about a raucous Boston clan.

What’s missing from this round of pickups? There was talk of a CSI spinoff that would have starred Patricia Arquette as a special agent in charge of the FBI’s cyber crime division.

CBS, which has already issued verdicts on most of its shows save The Crazy Ones,...

In just four weeks, we’ll find out if Anthony Lapaglia and David Schwimmer will stage comebacks to prime time, or if Flash will really fly for the CW. Chances are it will, but what about those comic book-inspired dramas in the works at Fox and NBC?

Here’s your chance to see all the possibilities, but don’t get your hopes up too high: A majority of these pilots won’t make the cut for fall.

CBS

Drama

NCIS: New Orleans: The NCIS New Orleans office handles cases from Pensacola through Mississippi and Louisiana to the Texas panhandle.

The Fall will reportedly shoot six new episodes in Belfast from late February.

An early 2014 start date for the second series shoot was first confirmed in October last year.

Series two of the crime drama - starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan - will run one episode longer than the five-part first series, claims the Belfast Telegraph.

Dornan has recently been filming the big-screen adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey, in which he plays sadomasochistic billionaire Christian Grey.

Anderson has also been shooting a leading role in forthcoming Us drama Crisis and a recurring part on the returning Hannibal.

The Fall actors Bronagh Waugh, Gerard McCarthy, Niamh McGrady, Archie Panjabi and Emmett Scanlan are all expected to return for series two.

"Without giving anything away, [series two] sounds fantastic," Scanlan told Digital Spy. "There's a high expectation now after the huge success of the first season, but I'm sure it's one that everyone is relishing.

Exclusive: Jack McGee and Joey McIntyre are the only cast members from the original CBS pilot The McCarthys who will be coming back for the new pilot as the once-single-camera comedy, from Sony TV and Will Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment, is being retooled as multi-camera. The McCarthys, written/co-executive produced by Brian Gallivan, revolves around a big Irish Catholic, sports-crazed Boston clan and the gay son whose greatest sin is not his sexuality but his desire to spend less time with his family. McGee, repped by repped by Apa and Semler Entertainment, plays the father, Arthur, a not always politically correct high school basketball coach. Actor-singer McIntyre, repped by Domain and Klwgn, plays Gerard McCarthy, the one short guy in the family who is mad about it. The original pilot was in serious contention for a series pickup in May. It didn’t make the cut but CBS kept...

Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan's crime thriller The Fall will premiere on BBC Two on Monday, May 13 at 9pm, it has been confirmed.

The highly-anticipated series, which also stars Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife), Hollyoaks trio Gerard McCarthy, Emmet Scanlan and Bronagh Waugh, and Niamh McGrady (Upstairs Downstairs), was written by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Prime Suspect).

Anderson stars as Dsi Stella Gibson, who is brought to Belfast from the London Met to find a killer. Dornan stars as killer Paul Spector, who has a dark fascination with solicitor Sarah Kay (Laura Donnelly).

> Summer TV 2013: 10 Shows To Get Excited About

The five-part series will air on Netflix in the Us.

BBC drama boss Ben Stephenson said: "The Fall is a unique, forensic and characterful take on a classic genre that continues BBC Two's commitment to original British drama.

"Cubitt's rich and complex psychological thriller combined with another compelling...

Robbie Amell could be joining his cousin on The CW.

The actor, whose cousin is "Arrow" star Stephen Amell, has landed the lead role on the teen-centric network's "Tomorrow People" pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The "Revenge" alum will coincidentally play a young man named Stephen, who just wants to be normal and is relieved to learn he's part of the Tomorrow People ("who represent the next stage in human evolution") ... instead of just crazy, THR reports. He possesses the gifts of telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation and stopping time.

In more casting news ...

Ryan Hansen ia a "Bad Teacher." The "Veronica Mars" alum has joined the movie-inspired CBS comedy pilot about sexy divorcee Meredith (Ari Graynor), who becomes a teacher to find her next husband. Could Hansen's Joel, the gym coach, be the one? [TVLine]

"Sleepy Hollow" has found its leading lady. Nicole Beharie has been tapped to star in the drama pilot as Abbie Archer,...

Joey McIntyre is the new kid on the block in CBS's comedy pilot "The McCarthys." The boy-bander turned actor has step-by-stepped his way into a role on the Will Gluck pilot, which revolves around a loud, sports-crazed Boston clan. McIntyre will play Gerard McCarthy, the family's resident resentful short guy. Also read: Ari Graynor Lands Lead in CBS's "Bad Teacher" Pilot McIntyre joins a cast that already includes Jacki Weaver (as Marjorie McCarthy) and Jack McGee (as Arthur). Gluck ("Easy A") is executive producing the pilot, with Brian Gallivan ("Are You There, Chelsea?") writing...

Exclusive: Actor-singer Joey McIntyre has been cast in CBS/Sony TV single-camera comedy pilot The McCarthys. Also added to the pilot, written by Brian Gallivan, directed by Fred Savage and executive produced by Will Gluck, is Jessica Chaffin, joining previously cast Jacki Weaver, Jake Lacy and Jack McGee. The McCarthys revolves around an Irish-Catholic, sports-crazed Boston clan and the gay son (Lacy) whose greatest sin is not his sexuality but his desire to spend less time with his family. McIntyre will play Gerard McCarthy, the one short guy in the family who is mad about it. Chaffin, repped by CAA and attorney Jeff Endlich, plays his sister Jackie, who swings wildly from overconfidence to insecurity, and is completely unaware that she’s her mother’s (Weaver) least favorite. This marks McIntyre’s first regular series gig since David E. Kelley’s Boston Public. At CBS, he is joining fellow former...

Production has got underway on Irish producer Morgan O'Sullivan's E30m TV series 'Vikings' at Ashford Studios in Ballyhenry, Co Wicklow, with Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects) and Travis Fimmel (Tarzan) among the lead cast. Swedish director Johan Renck will helm the first three episodes with Ireland's Ciaran Donnelly (The Tudors) and Ken Girotti (Rescue Me) also attached. Other cast includes Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee), Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back), Clive Standen (Camelot), Katheryn Winnick (Bones), Eric Higgins (The Tudors) and Gerard McCarthy (The Fall).Key Irish crew include line producer Seamus McInerney, costume designer Joan Bergin and production designer Tom Conroy. Dee Corcoran is looking after hair while Tom McInerney is on make-up. Emmy award-winning cinematographer John Bartley (The X Files) is the director of photography.

Gerard McCarthy has landed a role in the History channel's first ever drama Vikings. The actor, best known for his role as transvestite Kris Fisher on Hollyoaks, will star in the mini-series as a character called Bronsted. The 31-year-old will star alongside Gabriel Byrne and Travis Fimmel on the show. McCarthy said in a statement: "I can't wait to start working on Vikings, I've never been so excited about getting into a costume before. "Dressing up as a sword wielding warrior is every little boy's dream... (more)...

Upcoming HBO mini-series 'Vikings' has added a host of Irish actors to the cast, with Eric Higgins and Gerard McCarthy landing prominent roles in the World 2000 co-production ahead of filming next week. They join Australian actor Travis Fimmel; Irish actor Gabriel Byrne, 'Glee' actress Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Clive Standen, Katheryn Winnick on the shoot which will also feature directors Johan Renck and Ciaran Donnelly.

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan has joined the cast of BBC's Belfast-based psychological thriller 'The Fall', it has been announced. Dornan, best known for his role as Sheriff Graham in ABC's 'Once Upon a Time', will join 'X Files' star Gillian Anderson and fellow Northern Irish actor Gerard McCarthy. McCarthy will also star in the forthcoming 'Titanic: Blood and Steel'.

Shooting on BBC2 thriller 'The Fall' is to get underway next Monday (March 26) in various locations around Belfast with Irish actor Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks) is the latest talent to join the cast. The Belfast-based thriller is led by former 'X Files' actress Gillian Anderson, with Jakob Verbruggen (Code 37) directing a script by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Murphy's Law). Five episodes in total will be shot with shooting set to last 10 to 11 weeks in total.

Gerard McCarthy has joined forthcoming BBC Two thriller The Fall. Gillian Anderson will star as Dsi Gibson, a detective in pursuit of a deadly serial killer in Belfast. Former Hollyoaks actor McCarthy has now signed up for the project, Digital Spy can confirm. The Irish star is known for playing Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap from 2006 to 2010, and recently joined 12-part period drama Titanic: Blood and Steel. "I'm very excited about working on The Fall," said McCarthy. "The scripts, by Allan Cubitt, (more)...

Kym Marsh has deleted her Twitter account after receiving angry comments from Waterloo Road fans. The Coronation Street actress had implied that the BBC programme should not have won the 'Best Drama' prize at last week's National Television Awards. Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy explained on the social networking site that Marsh did not want to deal with the "stress" of the backlash. He wrote (more)...

Gerard McCarthy has confirmed that he will be back on screen in Hollyoaks within the next few weeks. The actor bowed out from his role as Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap earlier this year and subsequently landed the part of Fenton in a production of The Merry Wives Of Windsor at the Globe Theatre. However, in the aftermath of next week's explosive fire episodes, Kris makes a brief return to the village - although the full circumstances surrounding his comeback are currently unknown. Writing on Twitter, McCarthy announced: "Okay.... so the cat's outta the bag! I am going back to Hollyoaks. It's only a flying (more)...

Gerard McCarthy has revealed that he might consider reprising his role on Hollyoaks in the future. The 29-year-old actor, who bowed out of the teen soap this year, refused to rule out a return for his bisexual alter ego Kris Fisher. Speaking to Pa, he said: "I've gone out with the door wide open so whether I'll come back is completely out there." McCarthy added (more)...

Gerard McCarthy worried 'Hollyoaks' would stop him from landing major theatre roles. The hunky actor - who has filmed his final scenes as bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 show - was shocked when he landed the role of Fenton in 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' at London's The Globe theatre, because he never ''dreamt'' his soap career would lead to such an ''amazing'' new job. He told Bang Showbiz: ''It's one of those things, isn't it. When you're in a soap, you think, 'I would love to leave and be able to do something like Shakespeare. Doing it at The ..

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has admitted that he is feeling both nervous and excited as he prepares to perform at London's Globe Theatre. The actor, best known for his role as Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, recently signed up to play Fenton in a forthcoming production of Shakespearean comedy The Merry Wives Of Windsor. Speaking to Pa about his new part, McCarthy commented: "It's bit of a massive change but that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to leave the show and do something as far removed from Hollyoaks as I could get. I didn't think it would be that far removed!" He continued: (more)...

Former Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy has landed a role at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The 29-year-old, who recently filmed his final scenes as bisexual crossdresser Kris Fisher, has been cast as Fenton in Shakespearean comedy The Merry Wives Of Windsor. The humorous play follows womaniser Sir John Falstaff, who sets about wooing two wealthy married women. Speaking to Digital Spy, McCarthy said: "I'm ecstatic to be working at Shakespeare's Globe. The Merry Wives Of Windsor is a hilarious play and I'm looking forward to working with such an exceptional cast, directed by Christopher Luscombe." Luscombe commented: "The audition (more)...

Hollyoaks stars Melissa Walton, Kevin Sacre and Gerard McCarthy have been filming their final scenes for the soap today. Walton, who plays Loretta Jones on the Chester-based serial, shared the news with fans on her Twitter page this morning and confessed that she was feeling emotional over her exit. The actress wrote: "I'm sharing my last day with Kevin Sacre and Gerard McCarthy!! Aw sad times :-( xxx." In a later post, she added: "Am now blubbing wreck! Gonna miss everyone here so much!" The departures of Walton and her (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy set tongues wagging at the British Soap Awards last week after being seen spotted hand-in-hand with a look-a-like of his ex Zoe Salmon. The 29-year-old actor, who plays Kris Fisher in the show, emerged from a nearby hotel holding hands with an unknown model and the paparazzi presumed he'd reunited with his ex-girlfriend, Dancing On Ice star Salmon. Last year, McCarthy and Salmon mutually agreed to end their two-year relationship after her stint on ITV1's skating reality programme. At the time he said: "I suppose it's just one of those things, but there are (more)...

Hollyoaks departee Gerard McCarthy has revealed that his former castmate Zoë Lister was approached to film a short stint for his departure but was unavailable. The 29-year-old - who plays bisexual crossdresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap - confirmed earlier this year that he is to bow out of the serial in the coming months to pursue other projects. With details of his screen departure being kept tightly under wraps, McCarthy did reveal on the red carpet at this year's British Soap Awards that his former colleague Zoë Lister - who was written (more)...

Gerard McCarthy fears his mother will ''completely disown'' him over his naked photoshoot. The 'Hollyoaks' hunk - who portrays bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the steamy Channel 4 soap - stripped off for a magazine spread in a bid show off his manly goods, much to the dislike of his mum. He told Bang Showbiz: ''My mother is ready to completely disown me. She was like, please tell me this is a joke? She works in a primary school and all the mums know I'm her son!'' Gerard recently shed his clothes for Britain's Cosmopolitan magazine in conjunction with the Everyman campaign to encourage ..

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has revealed that he would love to compete on Strictly Come Dancing. The 29-year-old, best known for his soap role as cross-dresser Kris Fisher, joked that taking part in the BBC ballroom show would be an ideal way to find love. Speaking to Bang Showbiz, McCarthy commented: "Now that I'm looking for a girlfriend I'm going to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. That seems to be the way for everyone to find a partner these days! "I would definitely (more)...

Gerard McCarthy wants to find a girlfriend on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 'Hollyoaks' hunk - who plays bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap - is desperate to appear on the BBC1 show so he can become romantically involved with his professional dance partner. He told Bang Showbiz: ''Now that I'm looking for a girlfriend I'm going to appear on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. That seems to be the way for everyone to find a partner these days! ''I would definitely go on 'Strictly', because I'm a massive fan of the show. It would have been more difficult for me to go on ..

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has revealed that he is proud of the positive impact his character Kris Fisher has had in recent years. Speaking in an interview with Fate magazine, the actor explained that he has received letters from fans who have been touched by the cross dresser's storylines. McCarthy commented: "When I first started, I got an awful lot of letters from kids who just didn't fit in for whatever reason - they were the fat kid, or the ginger kid, or the kid who never got picked for the football team. "I think they identify with Kris, they can relate to him as he never fitted in but he still has a strong sense of self and is pretty (more)...

Gerard McCarthy has admitted that he will be "gutted" when he bows out of Hollyoaks later this year. The actor is leaving his part as cross-dresser Kris Fisher on the soap in order to take on a West End role in Flashdance - The Musical. Speaking to Fate magazine about his forthcoming departure, McCarthy commented: "I'll be devastated. Right now I've got another three and half months to go and I'll just be gutted when the time comes to leave. I've begged the producers not to kill me off! (more)...

Gerard McCarthy is a much better boyfriend than his 'Hollyoaks' alter-ego. The 29-year-old actor - who portrays bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the soap - believes he is a great partner because he has never cheated on a girlfriend, unlike his lothario character. He told Bang Showbiz: ''Kris is a terrible boyfriend - he's not very good at the whole being faithful thing. But I am a good boyfriend, I have to say. I've never cheated on anybody, I am definitely a good boyfriend!'' However, the blonde-haired hunk - who is currently single - isn't convinced his ex-partners would agree with him. He quipped: ''Well, ..

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has admitted that he was "so shocked" when he was named 'Media Personality Of The Year' at Northern Ireland's Fate Awards. The actor, who plays cross-dresser Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, received the accolade last week during a ceremony held at Belfast's Europa Hotel. Speaking to Bang Showbiz about his success, McCarthy commented: "It's really weird, because if you take people that are from Northern Ireland, like right up at the A-list celebrities, you've got Liam Neeson, you've got James Nesbitt and then you've got TV presenters like Eamonn Holmes, Christine Bleakley (more)...

Gerard McCarthy thinks it is ''weird'' when he's compared to A-list celebrities. The 'Hollyoaks' actor - who plays bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap - was shocked to beat a host of Northern Irish stars to be named Media Personality of the Year at Northern Ireland's 2010 Fate Awards on Friday (26.03.10). He told Bang Showbiz: ''I knew that I was nominated and I knew who I was up against, but I didn't know I was going to win. I couldn't believe it when they called out my name. ''It's really weird, because if you take people that are from Northern ..

Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy has been named 'Media Personality Of The Year' at Northern Ireland's Fate Awards 2010. The 28-year-old, best known for his role as Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, received the accolade last night during a ceremony held at Belfast's Europa Hotel. Sky News anchor Eamonn Holmes was another big winner, taking home the 'Fate Legend Award' in recognition of his long-established career in the TV industry. The Fate Awards are held each year in order to showcase "the very best the Northern Ireland entertainment and hospitality industry has to offer". Most of the other prizes were awarded to the country's best restaurants, (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has revealed that he is to take part in a London concert celebrating the 80th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim. The 28-year-old, who plays Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, will join forces with a number of West End stars at the one-off event at the King's Head Theatre on March 22. American-born Sondheim has received an Academy Award, Pulitzer Prize and a number of Tony Awards for his long career of composing music for stage and film. The King's Head Theatre celebration is the only one of its kind to take place in the UK on Sondheim's birthday and all profits from the event will be donated to the TheatreMAD Trust, which supports (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy is rumoured to be teaming up with close friend Arlene Phillips for the West End run of Flashdance - The Musical. The 28-year-old - who has played bisexual cross-dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap since 2006 - will allegedly leave Hollyoaks and make his move south later this year in time to start rehearsing for Flashdance's September opening. Apparently confirming the casting, McCarthy tweeted earlier today: "Can't wait until @Flashdancelive ! Can we have matching legwarmers @ArlenePhillips ??" Phillips replied: "Oh yes matching legwarmers!" adding: "We can have everything matching if you like!" Choreographed by former Strictly Come Dancing judge and television personality Phillips, Flashdance (more)...

Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy has announced that he is to lead a 5k charity run in aid of Haiti's earthquake victims. The 28-year-old, best known for his soap role as Kris Fisher, will fly home to Northern Ireland this weekend in order to support the Belfast4Haiti event, which takes place on Sunday. Discussing his reasons for participating in the fundraising effort, McCarthy explained: "Haiti is the poorest country in the western world and has been victim to a host of natural disasters in the past. However, the earthquake that hit on 12th of January has not only left more than 100,000 dead but has, in its wake, left tens of thousands of people in imminent danger due to the shortage of food, water, shelter and medical supplies which are so desperately (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has spoken of his delight after learning that his recent drama project Belonging To Laura has received an Irish Film & Television Award nomination. The Belfast-born actor took time out from his soap role as Kris Fisher last summer to star in the 90-minute feature, which is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan. Belonging To Laura, directed by Karl Golden and featuring largely unknown Irish actors, will now face competition from Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt's (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has announced that he is to star in a production of classic Molière play The Miser. The 28-year-old actor, who plays cross dresser Kris Fisher in the Chester-based soap, will return home to Belfast for the one-off Lyric Theatre performance later this month. Writer David Johnston's new adaptation of the French playwright's classic will be the headline show during the theatre's 'off-site' season while its new £18 million home is built in the city. McCarthy has previously performed alongside Liam Neeson and (more)...

A Hollyoaks auction package organised by Gerard McCarthy has raised more than £4,000 for charity. McCarthy, who plays cross dresser Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, arranged a money-can't-buy lot for the White Sapphire Ball, which saw a variety of prizes auctioned off to raise money for Northern Ireland's Children's Hospice. When the event arrived on Saturday night, the highest bidder in the Hollyoaks auction parted with £4,500 to secure a behind-the-scenes tour of the drama's set at Lime Pictures in Liverpool and film a walk-on part for an episode. Additionally, the winner will have lunch with the cast and enjoy an evening meal with McCarthy at a Liverpool restaurant before staying the night at a hotel in the city. McCarthy was joined by his co-stars Emma Rigby (Hannah Ashworth) and Kent Riley (Zak Ramsey) to see the (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has become the latest famous face to pay tribute to Patrick Swayze. The 28-year-old, who plays Kris Fisher on the Channel 4 soap, revealed that he once met the late actor in the West End and was impressed by his down-to-earth attitude. McCarthy has credited Swayze's character of Johnny Castle in the hit movie Dirty Dancing for inspiring him to train as a dancer and appear in musical theatre. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he explained: "My friend Kelly Price was playing one of the female leads in Guys and Dolls in the West End when she found out that Patrick (more)...

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has secured a money-can't-buy lot for Northern Ireland's White Sapphire Ball charity auction. The 28-year-old, who plays bisexual cross dresser Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap, has arranged for a Hollyoaks prize package to be auctioned off in aid of Northern Ireland's Children's Hospice. The highest bidder will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the teen soap's set at Lime Pictures in Liverpool, film a walk-on part for an episode, have lunch with the cast, spend the evening with McCarthy in a top Liverpool restaurant and spend the night in one of the city's famous hotels. Speaking of the opportunity, McCarthy said: "I can't wait to meet (more)...

Shooting has begun on 'Belonging to Laura', a new 90 minute feature drama to be commissioned by TV3. Directed by Karl Golden (The Honeymooners) and produced by Martina Niland and David Collins for Accomplice Television, the production will be shooting on location in Enniskerry and Ballsbridge for three weeks. Director of photography for the project is Darran Tiernan (The Honeymooners). The cast includes; Christina Carty (Crystal Park), Brendan McCormack (The Daisy Chain), Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks), Aisling Bea (Fair City), Domhnall O'Donoghue (The Escapist) and Tatianna Ouliankina (Fair City).

There’s a lot going on in this week’s Gays of Our Lives, starting with an extra heaping portion of Gool Theater. We visit One Life To Live’s Llanview for the first time, get in on the ground floor of shocking new storylines on both Hollyoaks and EastEnders – and that’s just for starters.

We also bring you more spoilers than ever before, including the dish on a possible kiss that may have led to a recast on The Young and the Restless, why Christian and Olli don their swimsuits on Forbidden Love and the return of Lucas Sanders to Dutch soap Good Times, Bad Times.

Meanwhile, in Gool Newsbeat you’ll find out why openly gay actor Luke Macfarlane traveled to South Africa and learn just how gay True Blood is going to get in its new season.

And as always, I’ve got Snapshots and our Soap Stud Of The Week!

Hollyoaks actor Gerard McCarthy has confirmed that he is staying with the Channel 4 soap until at least next year. Reports previously claimed that the 28-year-old, who plays bisexual cross dresser Kris Fisher in the teen soap, was to quit his role towards the end of the year. However, McCarthy has confirmed that he has recently signed a new contract that ties him to the show until at least 2010. He said: "I love my character Kris Fisher. He is so 'out there', in your face and ready to shock at every turn. Every day he creates a new drama (more)...