Whittle goes back to his old haunt

Former soap star Ricky Whittle is being spirited back to 'Hollyoaks' – as a ghost.

His character, ex-policeman Calvin Valentine, was shot dead last May by Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter).

But Whittle, who won an army of fans for his stint on 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2009, will be seen once more when his ghost appears to widow Carmel (Gemma Merna), Theresa’s cousin.

Viewers have seen the McQueen family rally together to frame innocent Kyle Ryder (Neil Toon) for Calvin’s murder, and he is awaiting trial.

After escaping from prison and seeking revenge, Kyle will kidnap Theresa and baby Angel-Kathleen – who is actually Valentine’s child – leading to a violent showdown at a disused bank.

As an injured Theresa flatlines in surgery and the baby’s life hangs in the balance, distraught Carmel visits a chapel for answers.

Show bosses said Calvin’s spirit “reignites Carmel’s love for the man she lost and leads her to make some tough decisions about her future”.

Calvin will first re-appear in Hollyoaks on February 14, and will continue to be seen in episodes throughout the week.

Whittle, who filmed the additional scenes while still under contract with the soap last year, first joined Hollyoaks in 2006.

Before bowing out of the show he reached the finals of Strictly, losing to presenter Chris Hollins.

In August, Whittle was cleared of deliberately driving into a photographer in Liverpool.