Former Hollyoaks actor and Love Island star Curtis Pritchard has delighted viewers by recreating his notoriously awkward 'How's Trish' scene during his current stint on Love Island: All Stars. The moment, which originally went viral in 2021 for its wooden delivery, has been given new life as Curtis humorously revisits his soap past.
The Infamous Original Scene
Back in 2021, Curtis and his brother AJ Pritchard joined the cast of Channel 4's Hollyoaks as Marco and Jacob, rival dancers attempting to steal dance contacts from Trish Minniver, played by Denise Welch. While their storyline involved professional rivalry and deception, audiences primarily remember one particular exchange that became an instant internet sensation.
The scene featured Curtis delivering the now-legendary line 'How's Trish?' in a monotone voice that viewers found unintentionally hilarious. The Pritchard brothers' acting was widely criticised online, with many describing it as amateurish despite their background in dance and reality television.
Love Island Recreation
During a recent episode of Love Island: All Stars, Curtis decided to revisit his soap history by recreating the viral moment with fellow contestant Ciaran. The pair worked through the script, with Curtis delivering his lines including the iconic 'How's Trish?' question.
'True, how's Trish?' Curtis asked in his signature flat tone, barely containing his laughter as he spoke. Ciaran responded appropriately: 'Ugh, heartbroken. She thought she was getting engaged. Couldn't be any further from the truth.'
The recreation concluded with Curtis adding 'Well...that's made my day that,' before both men collapsed into laughter. Ciaran expressed his satisfaction with the moment, saying 'I am so happy we've done that.'
Industry Backlash and Response
The original casting of the Pritchard brothers in Hollyoaks sparked significant debate within the acting community about reality stars taking roles from trained actors. Several established soap actors voiced their concerns about the trend of casting based on social media following rather than acting ability.
Hollyoaks veteran Gerard McCarthy, who played Kris Fisher, described the scene as an 'absolute car crash' and criticised producers for prioritising social media influence over acting talent. Former Hollyoaks star Parry Glasspool also expressed frustration, noting that traditional actors face extensive training and numerous auditions before securing soap roles.
In response to the criticism, Curtis has maintained a positive outlook. During a podcast appearance last year, he acknowledged the quality of their acting, describing it as 'GCSE grade quality' and admitting they were 'thrown into the deep end.'
Brothers' Perspective
Both Curtis and AJ have addressed their unexpected viral moment with humour and self-awareness. AJ explained during a podcast interview that they faced significant script changes during filming, which added to the challenge of their Hollyoaks experience.
'We went on, we had a whole script that we'd learnt... then they went, 'Okay, we're going to change every scene,'' AJ recalled. 'I was like: 'how can you have a storybook that changes fluidly as you move?' It was hilarious. I loved it.'
The brothers have developed strategies for handling online criticism, with AJ emphasising the importance of focusing on positive feedback rather than negativity. 'If someone's got constructive criticism, 100 per cent that's great, but if it's just negativity then it's not something I'm going to waste my energy and time on,' he explained.
Hollyoaks' Boundary-Pushing Reputation
The Pritchard brothers' casting aligns with Hollyoaks' long-standing reputation as the soap that pushes boundaries beyond what other major soaps attempt. Throughout its history, Hollyoaks has tackled controversial storylines and experimented with unconventional casting decisions, though not always with successful results.
The show has consistently positioned itself as the bold alternative to Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders, willing to take risks that its competitors might avoid. The 'How's Trish' scene, while criticised for its acting quality, represents another example of the programme's willingness to venture into uncharted territory.
Curtis Pritchard's decision to recreate the scene on Love Island: All Stars demonstrates his ability to laugh at himself while acknowledging his unconventional path into acting. The moment has reignited discussion about the intersection of reality television and traditional acting roles, a debate that continues to evolve within the entertainment industry.
