Hollyoaks icon shares adorable reunion photo 16 years after quitting show

28 August 2023 , 16:58

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Hollyoaks icon shares adorable reunion photo 16 years after quitting show (Image: Getty Images)

Hollyoaks actor Ali Bastian has shared a reunion photo with her former co-stars 16 years after departing from the show, much to the delight of her longtime fans.

The 41-year-old, best known for playing Becca Dean on the E4 soap, took to Instagram to post the special gathering and pay tribute to her beloved castmates.

Hollyoaks viewers should be quick to spot a number of familiar faces in the photo, including Jodie Albert, who played Debbie Dean from 2002 to 2004 and Sarah Jayne Dunn, who played Mandy Richardson from 1996 until 2021. Carly Stenson, who portrayed Steph Cunningham from 2000 to 2011, was also present for the reunion.

"The class of ‘23," Ali captioned the post. "My heart is full. First time all together for a long time" She added that the occasion was "even more special" because it was the "first time getting all our babies together!!" Ali signed off the sweet update by tagging her beloved friends and adding, "Love you and you all so very much. My village."

Ali shared the sweet reunion snap on her Instagram

Jodi Albert, who now has three children with Westlife star Kian Egan, was quick to return the positive vibes, writing, "Love us", in the comment section below. She also shared a carousal of photos from the reunion on her own Instagram to commemorate the "beautiful few days" with her former colleagues and lifelong friends.

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"Catching up, laughing, cooking & helping with each other's babies.. a sistahood and a family bond like no other," she captioned the heartfelt post.

Ali Bastian, Gemma Atkinson, Roxanne McKee and Sarah Dunn in 2005 (Getty Images)

Ali, who has since landed roles on The Bill and Doctors, hit TV headlines in 2001 after her character, Becca Dean, was fired from her job as a teacher and sent to prison after having a relationship with one of her students. She left acting in 2009 to focus on having a baby, and in March 2020, welcomed her first child Isla, with husband David O'Mahony. The couple celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Isabella, in April 2023. Today, they raise their beloved children at their stylish West London home.

Ali pregnant with her second child (Instagram/ @alibastianinsta)

Ali Bastian has two daughters with husband David (Instagram/ @alibastianinsta)

Ali later revealed that her delivery of Isabella difficult, recalling that it was "a struggle to get her out" because she was "in a really awkward position.

"She was a little bit black and blue when she came out. She had bruises on one side of her face and a little cut on the other side from the forceps," the Strictly Come Dancing star added. "And then I had a haemorrhage. I lost more blood than they were happy with but they treated me for that and got it under control quickly."

Emma Dooney