Storylines...
As well as characters there are stock storylines that we frequently be seen in Soap operas. These storylines can be used more than once in the same soap but with differenct characters and alterations to the events, they is usually a long gap between similar storylines so that the viewer does not get bored.
The storylines are also catogorised like the characters, and will be seen in all the soaps at different times. For example:
Teenage Pregnancy
Secret Affairs
Gay/Lesbian Romance
Debt Problems
Major Accidents e.g. Fires, car crashes,
Murder
Drugs/ Drink problems
School/ University
Here are a few examples of these storylines in Hollyoaks and Eastenders:
Debt Problems
Jack Osbourne in Hollyoaks suffered such debt problems that he resorted in faking his own death and claiming on insurance. He later got found out and sent to prison along with his son Darren for being involved. 
The Mitchells in Eastenders are in trouble after borrowing money from a Loan Shark to save the pub. The cleared this debt but by borrowing off Ian who in turn wants his money back in time or he will take over the pub.
Secret Affairs 
Loretta from Hollyoaks is secretly seeing Jake Dean who is her flatmate Nancy’s Ex. He tried to rape Nancy and kill his child Charlie. Loretta wrote to Jake when he was in a mental institution for convicts. 
Ian and Jane from Eastenders marriage is on the rocks and whilst she is away Ian sleeps with Janine but when Jane returns willing to give it another go what will he do? Janine then blackmails Ian threatening to tell Jane and Ian tries to pay her off.
Drugs Problems 
Sasha from Hollyoaks became addicted to heroin after her boyfriend Fletch also became addicted and influenced her into it. She battled with the problem for many months but finally got clean when her drug dealer supposedly got killed by her older brother. However, he was actually being paid of by notorious Badman Warren Fox.
Chelsea Fox from Eastenders turns to drugs after finding her dad who walked out on her 20 years previously and discovering she has a brother. She ends up stealing money to pay for drugs and losing her job and starts a relationship with a drugs dealer.
Gay/Lesbian Romance 
There are many gay and lesbian romances in Hollyoaks as it is a difficult topic for young people. Characters include Jean Paul and Craig who both had girlfriends at the time but could not fight their feelings for each other and ended up getting caught by Craig’s girlfriend sleeping together at their engagement party. Another example is the recent storylines about Lydia and Sarah and Lydias jealousy resulting in Sarah’s death. 
Sonja from Eastenders embarked on the most famous lesbian storylines by kissing her friend Naomi after she reveals that her marriage to Martin was beginning to fall apart. Naomi confesses to having feelings for Sonja since they first met.
