Post by Kirsty on Dec 9, 2010 17:41:48 GMT
Hollyoaks bosses have officially announced a dark new storyline which will see India Longford murdered after an experiment with online dating goes horribly wrong.
The new plotline kicks off later this month as India - played by Beth Kingston - and her fellow students all become inspired to look for love on the internet.
Despite initially being concerned about the dangers of online dating, India puts her fears aside and sets herself up with a mystery man through her computer. Keen to stay safe, she recruits her sister Texas and friend Nancy as chaperones for their first meeting - but faces disappointment when her suitor doesn't show up as planned.
Humiliated and lonely, India is ready to give up on her dating dream - but she then receives a text from her love interest asking her to meet him elsewhere. Making a fatal mistake, she leaves the others behind and prepares herself for a romantic time.
En route to the meeting point, India finds herself grabbed in a dark and empty alleyway and she is horrified when her attacker says: "Your profile didn't do you justice." The next day, India's dead body is discovered, leading to heartbreak and horror for the residents of Hollyoaks.
While devising the shock storyline, the Hollyoaks team worked closely with the University of Central Lancashire's Cyberspace Research Unit in a bid to raise awareness of internet safety.
Speaking on behalf of the Research Unit, Dr Jo Bryce commented: "If the storyline can remind one young person to protect themselves when engaging in online activity, then that can only be a positive thing. Too many youngsters think they are immune to online risks and this storyline is a reminder that you don't always know who you're talking to online."
Hollyoaks' series producer Paul Marquess added: "This is a terrifying murder that highlights the dangers of meeting strangers online. The storyline, which launches at Christmas, will take us right through 2011 and audiences will be gripped to find out if the dangerous killer will strike again."
The sinister murderer is played by actor Jeff Rawle, best known for his role as Amos Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and for portraying George in Drop the Dead Donkey.
The new plotline kicks off later this month as India - played by Beth Kingston - and her fellow students all become inspired to look for love on the internet.
Despite initially being concerned about the dangers of online dating, India puts her fears aside and sets herself up with a mystery man through her computer. Keen to stay safe, she recruits her sister Texas and friend Nancy as chaperones for their first meeting - but faces disappointment when her suitor doesn't show up as planned.
Humiliated and lonely, India is ready to give up on her dating dream - but she then receives a text from her love interest asking her to meet him elsewhere. Making a fatal mistake, she leaves the others behind and prepares herself for a romantic time.
En route to the meeting point, India finds herself grabbed in a dark and empty alleyway and she is horrified when her attacker says: "Your profile didn't do you justice." The next day, India's dead body is discovered, leading to heartbreak and horror for the residents of Hollyoaks.
While devising the shock storyline, the Hollyoaks team worked closely with the University of Central Lancashire's Cyberspace Research Unit in a bid to raise awareness of internet safety.
Speaking on behalf of the Research Unit, Dr Jo Bryce commented: "If the storyline can remind one young person to protect themselves when engaging in online activity, then that can only be a positive thing. Too many youngsters think they are immune to online risks and this storyline is a reminder that you don't always know who you're talking to online."
Hollyoaks' series producer Paul Marquess added: "This is a terrifying murder that highlights the dangers of meeting strangers online. The storyline, which launches at Christmas, will take us right through 2011 and audiences will be gripped to find out if the dangerous killer will strike again."
The sinister murderer is played by actor Jeff Rawle, best known for his role as Amos Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and for portraying George in Drop the Dead Donkey.