Hollywood actress makes her big return to Hollyoaks after starring in blockbuster movies as it is claimed the 'soap feels ...

Fans of the E4 soap Hollyoaks are in for a treat in the upcoming months as a major star swaps Hollywood for the Village.

Emma Rigby has announced her return to the soap, where she played Hannah Ashworth, and has reportedly signed a one-year contract with bosses.

The actress, 34, was last seen in 2010, though she announced her departure in 2008 and was originally supposed to leave in 2009.

In the 14 years she has been gone, Emma has taken Hollywood by storm, appearing in the 2014 remake of Endless Love and fantasy drama series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland. 

Emma began appearing in the soap in 2005 and her storylines included a struggle with eating disorders and the death of her best friend. 

Fans of the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks are in for a treat in the upcoming months as a major star swaps Hollywood for the Village

Emma Rigby, 34, has announced her return to the soap, where she played Hannah Ashworth, and has reportedly signed a one-year contract with bosses

The actress, 34, was last seen in 2010, though she announced her departure in 2008 and was originally supposed to leave in 2009 (pictured in with on-screen brother Rhys in 2009)

A Hollyoaks source told The Sun: 'Emma agreed to return for a little guest stint but after a few weeks of filming she felt like she was back home.

'She had a number of conversations with bosses and has since signed a year-long contract. Everyone is over the moon to have her back permanently. 

'Bosses were so happy when she agreed to return for a few weeks so to have her back as a regular cast member again is very exciting. She’s got come big things coming up.'

Veteran actress Emma, who is also a trained ballerina, will return to Hollyoaks as Hannah later in January.

With her will be mum Suzanne (Suzanne Hall), and the twins she had with popular Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).

As well as Hollywood films, such as The Counsellor alongside Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz, Emma starred in British series such as Prisoners Wives and Ripper Street.

It was revealed towards the end of 2023 that Hollyoaks also intends to bring back three more iconic characters, in a bid to regain lost viewership.

Hollyoaks airs weekdays at 7 pm on E4.

In the 14 years she has been gone, Emma has taken Hollywood by storm, appearing in the 2014 remake of Endless Love and fantasy drama series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland

Emma starred in the 2019 action thriller Netflix film The Protector as the main character Camille Logan

Emma's return comes after an executive producer left the soap in 2023 after just two years in charge.

The Sun claimed at the time that Lucy Allan left due to plunging ratings which led to a complete change at the top.

Soon after Lucy's departure, which came not long after Bryan Kirkwood's, Hannah Cheers was brought in.

Hannah had previously spent a decade at Hollyoaks, working under Bryan, before she moved to ITV soap Emmerdale.