Production team Bryan Kirkwood joined the show as executive producer in 2006, but left three years later to become producer of
EastEnders. After he left his role in 2009, a number of producers worked on the show, resulting in a number of creative reinventions and changes in direction during this time.
Lucy Allan was named as Kirkwood's successor. In 2010, Allan announced she was to step down from the series after only a year, being replaced by
Paul Marquess. Speaking of her decision, Allan stated: "I am very proud to have been part of the
Hollyoaks team. I've had a fantastic time working on this show but am now equally excited about what the future will hold." On his upcoming role of series producer, Marquess said: "Taking up this position at
Lime Pictures feels like I'm going home, as I began my career working with both Carolyn [Reynolds] and Tony [Wood] at Granada and my first major project was
Brookside at Mersey Television. I'm a huge soap fan so to be handed the reins of Channel 4's flagship teen drama is not only a huge challenge but also a massive honour." A Channel 4 spokesperson stated: "It's all been a very quick turnaround at the top. It was announced in January 2011 that Marquess would leave his role as series producer and would be succeeded by
Hollyoaks production team member
Gareth Philips. Discussing the news, Philips said: "I have really enjoyed working in the script team at
Hollyoaks and it will be a huge honour to take the reins of Channel 4's flagship youth drama. I am very excited about taking the show even further this year with more compelling and brave stories." In late-September 2012, it was announced that Kirkwood would be returning to
Hollyoaks, replacing Smithwick. On 3 September 2020, Kirkwood announced his exit as showrunner. In a statement, he said: "For many years I have had the privilege of running a soap opera with a fiercely loyal audience. I passionately believe that soaps can help viewers start serious conversations about their lives and in recent years we have covered important topics within mental health, sexual consent, Far-Right radicalisation, male rape, sexual abuse and many issues other shows might look away from." Channel 4's director of programmes, Ian Katz, thanked Kirkwood for his work, stating: "I'm immensely grateful for his steering of the show safely back to screen next week and leaving it in top creative form and I wish him all the best for his next chapter." Allan was again named as Kirkwood's successor. Kirkwood's final episode as executive producer aired on 30 July 2021, with Allan's episodes airing from 2 August 2021. Two years into her tenure, Allan was sacked alongside series producer Philip Dodds and script and storyline executive Josie Day. Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela were named as successors to Allan, serving as acting executive producers until a permanent replacement is named. Allan's final episode as executive producer aired on 8 November 2023, with Cheers and Abela's episodes airing from 9 November 2023.
Filming locations Although set in
Chester, the majority of
Hollyoaks is filmed at
Lime Pictures' studios in
Childwall,
Liverpool. In the early years, location scenes were filmed around the city and at The Groves next to the
River Dee in Chester, but it became too expensive for the filming operations to be moved from Liverpool to Chester for every filming block, resulting in most filming being made at the Childwall studios.
Opening titles and tune The original opening theme tune was written and performed by Steve Wright, who has also produced music and themes for
Brookside and
Grange Hill. He cited American performer
Bo Diddley as an inspiration whilst making the theme song.
Hollyoaks amend their opening titles frequently. In 2007,
Hollyoaks opening titles were revamped and a new theme tune was introduced. The show's graphic designer Simon Cox created the visuals and their composer Steve Wright remixed the theme tune. However, on 2 July, the titles were delayed for one week. The titles were then delayed for a second time due to "technical difficulties". On 10 September 2010, Channel 4 confirmed the new
Hollyoaks titles and theme music would air from 13 September. However, the titles were different from pictures of filming of the original credits, suggesting a reshoot was the reason for the delay. Marquess commented: "We're very excited about the new titles that the viewers will see on Channel 4 on Monday. They're glossy, contemporary and very
Hollyoaks." He then apologised for the delay, saying: "We're sorry to the fans who have been waiting to see them, but they've taken a while to perfect. I'm very happy with them and I hope that the fans like the new-look show." On 28 December 2012, new titles were added, with purple screen replaced by grey screen. The new title sequence features shots of characters on the show's set. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said of the titles, "I am thrilled with the new titles. I think they are vibrant, fun and glossy and from the first opening guitar riff feel completely Hollyoaks." In January 2021, the titles were updated again to represent new characters that had joined the series; the change was described as a "brand new era" for
Hollyoaks. In January 2022, new titles premiered to represent the introduction of several new characters and the departure of numerous others. Speaking on the new titles, executive producer Lucy Allan explained that she wanted them to "highlight the optimism of a place like Hollyoaks – in spite of all the murders!"
Music Hollyoaks is the one of only two British soaps to make regular use of
incidental music (the other being the
Welsh language soap
Rownd a Rownd on
S4C). A number of real acts have also performed during transmitted episodes of the series. The Alphites were the first band to perform on the programme, when they played in the SU Bar. In 2003,
Pop Idol runner up
Darius Campbell appeared in an episode performing at a graduation ball. In 2008, the band
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly also featured in
Hollyoaks, performing as part of a
Battle of the Bands contest. During November 2008,
The Saturdays were featured in two episodes of spin-off
Hollyoaks Later. In 2009,
McFly featured in the show and played a song in the SU Bar. They also had speaking roles and convinced characters
Justin Burton (
Chris Fountain) and
Hannah Ashworth (
Emma Rigby) to date. Later that year,
Girls Can't Catch performed "Keep Your Head Up" during the college graduation party. In July 2013,
Hollyoaks also featured 'Off The Wall Oompah' Band Hosen Brass, playing a selection of their own cover versions for Darren's Bavarian Night(s) at the Dog In The Pond. Hosen Brass featured on two consecutive episodes over the Friday and the Monday evening.
Sponsorship Hollyoaks was initially sponsored by
Nescafé, which held a one-year £9.5 million deal from June 2002 until July 2003. The show did not have a sponsor until June 2005, when
Wrigley's signed a twelve-month contract for their brand of Extra chewing gum. The contract ended in December 2009.
Nikon Coolpix signed a deal for sponsorship in 2010 which ended in September 2010, before resuming in January 2011, as part of a 12-month deal. Nikon group marketing manager, Jeremy Gilbert described
Hollyoaks viewers as "the perfect demographic" Caspar Nelson, the head of brand communications at Phones4u, said their research had shown that
Hollyoaks was the most-watched TV show for their target audience. On 11 April 2012, a six-month product placement deal with
L'Oréal was revealed. On 31 May 2012, a four-month product placement deal with
Nokia was announced.
Unilever took over sponsorship of the show from 2 January 2013, with sponsorship switching between its Impulse body spray brand and its Alberto VO5 brand. In January 2015,
Domino's Pizza were announced as the new sponsors of
Hollyoaks. Five years later, it was announced that Batiste Dry Shampoo had begun sponsoring the programme. In mid November 2020, clothing brand
Jack Wills became the sponsor of the soap. ==Broadcast==