Josh Ashworth, played by Sonny Flood, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks. His first appearance was on 3 October 2005. Josh's storylines have included attempted murder, underage sex, drugs, drinking and joyriding. After a two-year break, Flood returned to filming as Josh for three episodes airing in May and August 2012. Casting Josh was created in 2005 by David Hanson, and Sonny Flood was cast in the role. In early 2010, it was announced that Allan had stepped down from the position of executive producer and that Paul Marquess had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a “shake up” by changing the production team and beginning a cast cull by axing the entire remaining Ashworth family apart from Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss). The move was part of his reinvention of the serial and clearing out the “deadwood”. Marquess later revealed he axed the Ashworths because he believed The Dog should have a lively family at the heart of it and that the Ashworths had become grim because of their hard-hitting storylines. In May 2012, it was announced that Flood would return to filming for two episodes. Josh was involved in a storyline alongside the characters of Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes) and Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies). Storylines 2005–2008 After arriving in the village, Josh and his cousin Fletch begin a tour in the woods to see the "Hollyoaks Beast". When his sister, Hannah (Emma Rigby), discovers what they are doing, she and her two best friends, Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley) and Nancy Hayton (Jessica Fox), play a trick on Josh and Fletch by pretending to be the "real" beast. Josh and Fletch try to get on the Year 12 "Fit List". However, Josh is tricked by Sarah, her sister Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies) and Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes) into stripping in front of a class full of students. Josh and Fletch get their revenge on Hannah, Sarah and Nancy by doing an interview with the girls and editing the material to make their answers seem embarrassing. Josh and Fletch make the interview available for the whole school to hear. The three girls get their revenge by stealing Josh's childhood toys and putting them on display. Josh decides to end the war and he and Hannah form a truce. Around Christmas 2005, Bill Ashworth (John Jardine) comes to