1996

←1995 1997→
1996 was Hollyoaks's second year of production. Phil Redmond served as the show's executive producer, whilst Jo Hallows later served as series producer starting from episode 37.
== Overview ==
As of episode 37, Phil Redmond began being credited as "executive producer" whilst Jo Hallows received the "producer" credit. A mixed reaction from press and viewers resulted in a change of outlook for the programme: what was planned as a low-drama teen soap opera soon turned dramatic upon the serial's first death - Natasha Andersen - with an ecstacy-overdosed drink. The controversial storyline was received positively, resulting in Channel 4 opting to recommission the show for 104 annual episodes (starting in 1997).
Following the axing of the Andersen family, the long-running Osborne family were introduced, consisting of parents Celia and Jack, and children Ruth and Darren. Lewis Richardson's sister Mandy - who would also become a long-running character, was also introduced. This year also saw the beginning of the long-running Kurt Benson vs. Rob Hawthorn feud, dominating most of the 1990s and ending on Millenium Eve.
There were no births this year. Despite her children's resistance, Angela Cunningham married Terry Williams (44), and then discovered that he was a conman following his disappearance (58). Natasha died of an overdosed spiked drink during Lucy Benson's birthday party (21), Jambo Bolton received a car - Beryl - in his uncle's will (44), whilst Dermot Ashton was the sole casualty of Rob Hawthorn's car crash into the River Dee (53).
== Events ==
=== Hollyoaks events ===
thumb|150px|Dermot Ashton, Rob Hawthorn, Lucy Benson and Carol Groves crash into River Dee.
* 1st January - Natasha Andersen's cousin Ruth Osborne arrives in the village to stay with the Andersens. (First appearance of the character)
* 22nd January - Carol Groves joins her friend Lucy Benson, her brother Kurt and his date Ruth Osborne at an outing to a bowling alley. (First appearance of the character)
* 12th February - Kurt Benson meets Rob Hawthorn at the Riverbank College Pancake Race. (First appearance of the character)
* 11th March - Natasha Andersen dies of an ecstacy overdose during her friend Lucy Benson's 18th birthday party after Rob Hawthorn spikes her drink. (Final appearance of Natasha)
* 18th March - Jude Cunningham returns home to her family, having spent the last few years living in London. (First appearance of the character)
* 25th March - Angela Cunningham's ex-husband Gordon Cunningham arrives in the village. (First appearance of the character, outside of a non-speaking part in 1995)
* 15th April - Tony Hutchinson proposes to Julie Matthews, but she rejects.
* 6th May - Ollie Benson meets Susi Harrison, who has moved into the flat above Got It Taped. (First appearance of the character)
* 13th May - Maddie Parker's old flame Michael St. John Thomas arrives in the village. (First appearance of the character)
* 3rd June - Louise Taylor leaves the village to go travelling with her new lover Tree. (Final appearance of the character)
* 26th September - Bazz is arrested in Ibiza for causing a public disturbance.
* 7th October - Mandy Richardson arrives in the village. (First appearance of the character)
* 10th October - Angela Cunningham and Terry Williams marry. Ollie Benson is arrested for engaging in sexual activity with a minor.
* 24th October - Susi Harrison goes missing.
* 28th October - Susi Harrison is found.
* 31st October - Angela Cunningham is diagnosed with breast cancer.
* 7th November - Dermot Ashton and Rob Hawthorn attempt to burgle Rob's drug dealer's lock-up, bringing Lucy Benson and Carol Groves as alibis. In the ensuing car chase, Rob ends up accidentally crashing into River Dee. Terry Williams leaves his wife, Angela, also leaving her his £55,000 debt. (Final appearance of the character)
* 11th November - Dermot Ashton dies after drowning in the River Dee. Carol Groves is left hospitalised as a result of the crash, whilst Rob Hawthorn and Lucy Benson escape mostly uninjured.
* 18th November - The Osborne family, who have purchased The Dog in the Pond from the Andersen family, arrive in the village. (First appearance of Jack, Celia and Darren)
* 25th November - Rob Hawthorn is tried for the murder of Natasha Andersen, but is acquitted due to a lack of evidence.
* 28th November - Kurt Benson accidentally hits Ruth Osborne on her motorbike with his car whilst trying to mow down Rob Hawthorn.
* 2nd December - Rob Hawthorn is thrown off the top of a multi-storey carpark by the gang of drug dealers whom he burgled.
=== Historical events ===
*Verity Hutchinson is born.
*9th January - Ruby Button is born.
*24th June - Twins Jason and Robbie Roscoe are born.
*24th July - Phoebe Jackson is born.
*28th August - Lacey Kane is born.
*18th September - Dilly Harcourt is born.
*9th November - Lacey Lloyd is born.
=== Real life events ===
* 5th January - Maxim Baldry (the first Liam Donovan) is born.
* 3rd February - Duayne Boachie (Zack Loveday) is born.
* 25th March - Hollyoaks: Coming Together is published.
* 24th June - Hollyoaks: Can't Get the Girl is published.
* 1st July - Jo Hallows's first episode as producer airs. Creator Phil Redmond, previously credited as "producer", would become credited as "executive producer".
* 8th July - Hollyoaks takes a break. The show was originally commissioned for 38 episodes to see how it would be received. The show was received well and was re-commissioned.
* 12th July - Lauren McQueen (Lily McQueen) is born.
* 23rd September - Hollyoaks returns after being re-commissioned.
* 26th September - Beginning with Episode 40, Hollyoaks introduces a Thursday episode and begins airing two episodes per week.
* 30th September - Hollyoaks: New Friends and Hollyoaks: Friends & Families are published.
== Cast ==
*Cindy Cunningham was recast from Laura Crossley to Stephanie Waring in November 1996.
=== Appearances ===
=== Debuts ===
See also: :Category:1996 debuts.
Number	Character 	Actor 	Debut date
 	Ruth Osborne 	Terri Dwyer 	1st January 1996
 	Lee Stanley 	Nathan Valente 	1st January 1996
 	Carol Groves 	Natalie Casey 	22nd January 1996
 	Rob Hawthorn 	Warren Derosa 	12th February 1996
 	Jude Cunningham 	Davinia Taylor 	18th March 1996
 	Gordon Cunningham 	Bernard Latham 	25th March 1996
 	Susi Harrison 	Deborah Chad 	6th May 1996
 	Michael St. John Thomas	Tom Hudson 	13th May 1996
 	Mandy Richardson 	Sarah Jayne Dunn	7th October 1996
 	Celia Osborne 	Carol Noakes 	18th November 1996
 	Darren Osborne 	Adam Booth 	18th November 1996
 	Jack Osborne 	James McKenna 	18th November 1996
=== Returns ===
None
=== Departures ===
See also: :Category:1996 departures.
Number	Character 	Actor 	Departure date
 	Greg Andersen 	Alvin Stardust 	12th February 1996
 	Sarah Andersen 	Anna Martland 	4th March 1996
 	Natasha Andersen	Shebah Ronay 	11th March 1996
 	Louise Taylor 	Brett O'Brien 	3rd June 1996
 	Terry Williams 	Ian Puleston-Davies	7th November 1996
== Episodes ==
See also: :Category:1996 episodes.
== See also ==
* :Category:1996 minor characters
* :Category:1996 births
* :Category:1996 marriages
* :Category:1996 deaths
←1995 1997→
Category:1996