TVTV NewsHollyoaksEXCLUSIVE: Hollyoaks star Ijaz Rana has addressed returning to the Channel 4 soap as Imran Maalik after three years away from Chester and his close bond with newcomer Charlotte Riley17:23, 07 Jun 2026Updated 17:24, 07 Jun 2026Ijaz Rana has opened up on returning to Hollyoaks as Imran Maalik three years after he was last seen in the village.‌Fans of the Channel 4 soap will recall that Misbah Maalik's (Harvey Virdi) son moved to London in 2023 for a fresh start and to pursue a career as a chef to protect his recovery from an eating disorder as the village held too many reminders of his past trauma.‌However, he's returning home this week and he's not alone as he'll be joined by his new girlfriend Leah Barnes (Charlotte Riley), the daughter of Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson).‌Ste and Misbah are left gobsmacked to discover that their children are dating and even more shocked to learn that they're now millionaires due to Imran's career in tech.Opening up on Imran and Leah's return, Ijaz explained: "Imran and Leah are coming back as this power couple that no one can believe. It's true love and they really have best interests of each other in mind always."‌It was announced earlier this year that former Coronation Street star Charlotte was taking over the role of Leah and Ijaz says the pair have "great chemistry" on and off camera.He continued: "It's been nice bouncing off Charlotte, who plays Leah, because we're developing that bond in real life where we're getting on really well.‌"We've got good chemistry between us and all of that is translating really nicely into the material that we're doing as well."It's been nice getting into the nitty-gritty of the new work and the new relationships. I don't think anybody expected the Leah romance at all but it's been really good just connect with everyone again."Hollyoaks spoilers for Monday's (June 8) reveal Gemma Johnson (Tisha Merry) is fuming when she spots a fancy sports car blocking ambulance access to the hospital, but her and Misbah are distracted when Imran appears.‌Later, Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence), Misbah and Ste are left stunned when glamours couple Imran and Leah arrive in the village hand in hand.Later in the week, Leah reveals her and Imran are moving back to Hollyoaks and have purchased a place by the river. She admits to Ste she hid the money and her relationship from him when he visited not wanting him to get carried away with it all.Article continues belowWith Leah successful and loved up, Vicky is left feeling like she wants more for her life. Leah reminds her she's beautiful and has her own business.Seeing the way Vicky and Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer) exchange glances Leah has an idea and tells Imran she thinks she's found their next project.Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7amChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Channel 4E4Hollyoaks