Kieron Richardson has described the health and safety rules in place on the Hollyoaks set in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 34-year-old has returned to the show as Ste Hay after a year away and will be seen back in episodes airing later this year.

Production on the soap was shut down for almost four months when the pandemic struck but started up again in July with the now-standard social-distancing measures and health and safety practices in place.

"We have to stay well, well away from each other," Richardson told The Mirror. "As soon as you drive in there is an ambulance and you have the checks, they then take your temperature at the gate.

"Face masks have to be worn at all times unless you are on camera.

"Even in rehearsals they have to be worn so the director actually doesn't see your face until the actual take."

Richardson also revealed that his real-life husband Carl Hyland has been brought onto the show as a body double in order to film a scene where Ste hugs another character.

"I've done a scene in hospital where I had to speak to the pillow and not the actor as the person couldn't be there," he added.

"There is also a futures scene were I have to hug someone and my husband [was] the body double."

Hollyoaks continues Mondays to Thursdays on Channel 4 and E4.