Scott Drinkwell (also Drinkwell-Deveraux) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ross Adams. The character made his first appearance on 27 April 2015. Producers asked Adams to audition for the role while he was working as a script editor on rival soap opera Emmerdale. The actor forgot his lines during his screen test but was still offered the role. The character was billed as a "troublesome new relative" joining the show's established O'Connor family. He is the cousin of Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis) and nephew to Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher). Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood introduced the character to cause conflict with other characters.
Scott is openly gay and has a "camp and outgoing" personality. His characterisation and loud troublemaking antics have caused controversy with Hollyoaks viewers. The divisive character generated many complaints over concerns that Hollyoaks were stereotyping gay men. Kirkwood released a statement noting the show's history of including a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ characters. He argued that there was no reason not to include a camp gay man after previously representing other personalities. Adams echoed his boss' sentiment and voiced his concern that the soap opera genre had shied away from depicting camp characters.
The character's storylines were originally centric to those featuring Sinead. Following Davis' dismissal from the show, writers began to create stories solely about Scott. He has been involved in storylines including poisoning his aunt Diane, pretending to have HIV, being tricked into kidnapping Rose Lomax by Rose's "mother" Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis), was manipulated by James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) into ruining his family's restaurant business and finding out that he is adopted. Scott's main relationship has been with John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), which was constantly undermined by James. In 2017, Scott attempted to commit suicide, following a battle with depression. For his portrayal of Scott, Adams has received nominations for "Best Comedy Performance" and "Scene of the Year", as well as winning the award for "Best Male Dramatic Performance". Adams quit the role in 2024 because he wanted to pursue other projects, with Scott's final scenes airing on 15 July 2024.
Casting In January 2015, Adams was working as a script editor for the British soap opera Emmerdale. A Hollyoaks employee contacted him and invited him to perform a screen test for the role of Scott; Adams thought it was a random offer, but accepted because he considered he had nothing to lose. He later told Dianne Bourne of Manchester Evening News that the screen test went wrong because he was nervous and forgot his lines. He was then offered a one-year contract with Hollyoaks, which left the actor shocked but happy to oblige.
On 20 March 2015, the character and Adams' casting were publicised. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Scott was a "troublesome new relative" for the show's established O'Connor family. The reporter added that Scott would be "causing mischief" for his cousin Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis). Of his casting Adams said "'I've always admired the bold, brave, stories the programme tells and knowing that I'm going to be part of the team is quite honestly a dream come true." His first scenes as the character were aired in April 2015.
Development Characterisation
Scott is characterised as a "trouble-maker" with a blunt and outrageous personality. The show's official website describes him as a "drama queen" who enjoys shock value, sass, fake tan and Britney Spears. Adams is required to have an extra deep spray tan each week to achieve Scott's fake tanned appearance. The character also considers himself loyal to his family. The character also has a vulnerable side and wants to feel loved. Adams has described Scott as "loud and proud in every way and he has no filter when it comes to saying what he thinks. Deep down though, his heart is in the right place." The actor later stated that Scott makes "silly choices and silly decisions" but through love writers developed a "softer side" for the character, but now we've seen a softer side to him especially now he's in love and he's with John Paul." Scott is a "party animal" who finds it difficult to hold down a job because he rings in sick. He does not get much sleep as he is a "wild child", Adams added "Scott would never go to bed the same day he woke up."
Scott has a "camp and outgoing" persona and enjoys causing trouble. Adams is openly gay and has stated his belief that is he was not "out" he would not have been able to play Scott in the same way. He noted that while he is not too similar to his character, being open about his sexuality benefited playing those elements that exist in Scott. Scott had a troubled upbringing and found it difficult at school with bullies. This transformed him into a man with "bluster, camp innuendo and OTT humour" to hide his vulnerabilities. He has never had a serious relationship in his life and Adams hoped Scott would find someone to settle down with. Scott can be a "little bit catty and a bit vicious" but behind the façade he has a "good heart" and cares about his family.
Introduction Scott arrives in the Hollyoaks village to stay with Sinead. Adams told Bourne that his character formed a double-act with Sinead, who had previously had many "hard-hitting storylines". Adams enjoyed working with Davis on the comedic pairing because of her "infectious personality". Scott causes trouble between married couple Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), who live with Sinead. Adams said that his character causes a lot of trouble and warned of much drama.
Scott is hired to work at Hollyoaks High School as a personal assistant for Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield). He is forced to sack Scott following a string of absences. Adams said that the role does not last long because he rings in sick three times despite being well enough to work. Scott learns that Sinead wants to snare Ste from John Paul and decides to help her. He discovers that Harry Thompson (Parry Glasspool) has kissed John Paul, he records a conversation as evidence to show to Ste and ruin his relationship. Ste becomes tired of Scott living in the flat and tries to force him out. Writers displayed the character's scheming side as he makes a revenge plan. Scott floods the flat forcing them all to move out until it is repaired. Davis told Digital Spy's Kilkelly that Scott would then annoy Sinead further by purposely flirting with Ste.
Facing eviction once again from the family home, Scott begins to poison his aunt Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) with medication. Adams defended his character's actions towards Diane, because Scott is not acting out of malice. He did not intend to hurt or kill her, he wanted her to feel unwell so he had a purpose to stay around and look after her. He wanted to feel "needed and loved" and because of Scott's backstory Adams believed it was genuine. Scott "just does things in the moment that he thinks will help the situation, but invariably it always goes wrong." But when he first read the script he was worried that Scott was being developed into a villainous character.
In July 2015, Davis was fired from Hollyoaks because of her conduct on set. This left Adams worried about his future with the show because the character had been introduced as a character to initially interact in Sinead's stories. Adams and Fletcher (who plays Scott's aunt Diane) were both given time off from the show while new stories were created. Adams said that he had enjoyed working on the double-act with Davis. When he returned to work the character was given stories solely focused on him. The actor added "the audience will maybe see a different side to Scott now."
Rose's kidnapping The show created a "baby swap storyline" in which Diane and Tegan Lomax's (Jessica Ellis) daughters were mixed up at birth. Tegan had been raising Rose Lomax unaware that Diane is her biological mother. Dee Dee Hutchinson is the biological daughter of Tegan and they learn the truth that a drunken midwife, Mariam Andrews (Helen Lederer) caused the error. The revelation caused a feud between the Hutchinson and Lomax family as they refused to return the children to their biological parents. Writers devised a subplot in which Rose is kidnapped by a mystery character and Diane framed as the prime suspect.
The show kept the kidnapper's identity a secret until the episode featuring the reveal aired. Scott was shown to be the culprit but appeared to be working with another character. He was shown to be taking good care of Rose, even reassuring his accomplice everything was okay. A publicist from Hollyoaks noted that Scott was the one character no one suspected. The following episode revealed that Scott had no contact with other characters and was unaware of how serious Rose's kidnap had been taken. His naivety is explained when Tegan is revealed to be the instigator of the kidnap plot and had tricked him. Scott believes he is helping a daughter remain in care of their mother.
Adams defended the character and explained that Scott thinks the scam is "perfectly reasonable". He thinks he is helping Tegan and that faking a kidnap is therefore justified. The actor believed his character would not have helped Tegan had he known the severity of the situation. Scott thinks everything is fine and Adams stated that it was an example of Scott being unable to think rationally. Tegan is arrested for the scam and sent to prison. Diane gains temporary custody of Rose. Scott decides to be honest with Diane and apologises for betraying her. Fletcher told Kilkelly that Scott asking for Diane's forgiveness, which she gives to him easily, were "really emotional" scenes.
Marnie and James Nightingale manipulation Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony) and her son James (Gregory Finnegan) make a plan to con The Hutch restaurant from Diane and Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard). Scott discovers that The Hutch is struggling financially. He offers to do the catering for Jason Roscoe (Alfie Browne-Sykes) and Holly Cunningham's (Amanda Clapham) wedding at a reduced cost of £200, which causes The Hutch to lose money. Diane is furious with Scott and an argument causes Scott to reveal her restaurant is in financial ruin. James and Marnie decide to use his error to their advantage. James decides to fool Scott into believing he is attracted to him, knowing he will be useful to undermine the business. James then convinces Scott to water down Tony's alcohol to save money. He and Marnie then report The Hutch to the Consumer Institute and Tony is fined. The show also used Scott to bring comedy into the storyline. They dressed him as a clown entertaining guests to generate more business. The publicity stunt only serves to bring more financial ruin to the Hutchinson family.
Their manipulation is successful and writers played Scott willing to do anything to impress the duo. Marnie becomes dismayed at the lack of progress in their take over bid. She conjures up a new plan involving Scott. She tells him that an old friend once burned down their business in order to claim on their insurance. Scott believes Marnie and decides it could be the only way to save The Hutch too. Marnie plans to call the police and have Scott arrested for fraud. John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) becomes aware that Marnie has set Scott up and convinces Scott to abort his arson plan and escape the scene before they arrive.
Relationship with John Paul McQueen