Channel 4 has confirmed that Hollyoaks will take a break of up to two months starting from next week.

Production on the soap stopped in March as the UK entered coronavirus lockdown and filming finally resumed yesterday under new health and safety guidelines.

Channel 4 slashed the number of episodes broadcast per week from five down to two in order to keep the soap on air - and a statement last month outlined a plan to go back to four episodes a week from September.

Now it has been revealed that a break will be necessary to facilitate that move, with the final episode airing on E4 next Monday, July 20 and on Channel 4 the following day.

Future scenes that were shot pre-lockdown are expected to be featured in a "first-look trailer" that will be shown on July 21.

The return to four episodes a week from September will see the soap through its 25th anniversary celebrations in October and lead up to an eventual return to five episodes a week from early 2021.