Hollyoaks axes child killer plot

Hollyoaks have decided not to screen a storyline involving Loretta Jones's past, which will reveal her as a killer.

Last month it was announced that Loretta, played by Melissa Walton, had skeletons in her closet as she and her friend Chrissy had bullied another girl until her death when they were all 12. However, the storyline was criticised for apparently mimicking the tragic murder of toddler James Bulger over ten years ago. Bulger's mother Denise Fergus claimed she was "disgusted" with the plot.

Since then, Fergus has met with Channel 4 bosses to discuss the storyline. Today it was announced that the show would pull the episodes featuring the story, despite it being screened this week. Apparently, the storyline will be "re-moulded" and Lime Pictures have agreed to work with Fergus to help with future plots.