List of Hollyoaks characters (1998)

Tessie Thompson, played by Sian Gibson, debuted on-screen during 1998. She was involved in storylines such as pretending to be pregnant, extortion and hiding Tony Hutchinson's (Nick Pickard) son from him for 8 years. The Sun announced her return on 17 October 2007.

Tessie and Tony begin dating and she pretends to be pregnant before she tries to scam him and take his money. She gets found out and leaves a humiliated Tony. Several years after her last appearance, "old flame" Tessie returns for Tony's 30th birthday party.[1] Tony is "gob-smacked" to see her there and Tessie "rocks Tony's world to its foundations" when she introduces him to his long-lost son, Harry (Daniel Seymour).[2] When she supposedly lied about her pregnancy, she was pregnant and had chosen to lie about it. Radio Times described Tessie as "slightly unhinged".[3]

Jasmine Bates, played by Elly Fairman, first appeared in 1998 before leaving in 1999. She has a brief relationship with the new lifeguard at the college pool, Adam Morgan (David Brown). She is also part of a "controversial lesbian affair" in which she and flatmate Ruth Osborne (Terri Dwyer) kiss before having sex.[4] The Daily Record listed them amongst "The soap stars who boosted the ratings with their shocking clinches".[5] The Daily Record also wrote: "Wait until the TV watchdog people see this week's Hollyoaks – lesbian kissing scenes at tea-time. Phil Redmond brought you your first lesbian kiss in Brookside a good few years ago now and there was uproar. Now he's at it again in his teen-soap as a good old heart-to-heart between Jasmine and Ruth over a bottle of wine leads to something more. The next morning, Ruth is not a happy girl at all, as she regrets her night of passion with her flatmate. Oh dear. Sparks will fly."[6]

Rory "Finn" Finnigan, played by James Redmond, first appeared in 1998 before leaving in 2002, after playing the character for 4 years. He left to return to his previous life before his time in Hollyoaks village. Rory was described as a "cheeky chancer" and a "heart-throb".[7] In 2009, the Daily Star reported that Hollyoaks producer Lucy Allan was planning to lure Redmond back into his role.[8]

Paul Millington, played by Zander Ward, first appeared in 1998 before leaving in 2000. Paul is a friend of Sol Patrick (Paul Danan) and develops feelings for Sol's sister, Gina (Dannielle Brent). However, Gina rejects him as she is a lesbian. Paul and Sol later go into business together as car washers. However, the business fails when Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) gets involved and they all fell out after he fires Sol. Gina convinces Paul to attend literacy classes since he cannot read or write, and he agrees on the condition that she pretends to be illiterate so that she can join him. However, she leaves part way through the class to show Paul that he does not need her with him. Paul later enrols in an art course. When Zara Morgan (Kelly Greenwood) gains an attraction to Paul and tries to kiss him, he rejects her. Zara writes in her diary that she had had sex with Paul, which her father discovers, shoving Paul into a table with glasses. Paul temporarily loses feeling in his hand but decides against pressing charges, instead leaving the village.

Emily Taylor, played by Lorna Pegler, first appeared in 1998, before leaving in 2001. She is the girlfriend of Gina Patrick (Dannielle Brent). Emily and Gina share an interest in animal welfare and begin a relationship together. Emily cheats on Gina so their relationship ends. Emily shares a kiss with Nikki Sullivan (Wendy Glenn), but is furious when Nikki tells her she only kissed Emily to see how kissing a woman would feel. Emily and Gina reconcile and Emily leaves with her when Gina leaves to do charity work in China.