Throng

Ex-Shortland Street actor Adam Rickitt appears to be back into the swing of things in the UK as he attempts to revive his musical career.

The 32-year-old, who exited the kiwi soap recently to take another stab at singing, performed in London’s G-A-Y nightclub over the weekend to an adoring crowd of hundreds.

Rickitt, whose 2000 single I Breathe Again launched him as a gay icon, performed both old and new tracks on stage before ending the gig in only a pair of jocks.

See the pics here.

7:00pm Weeknights on TV2

Initially introduced as a potential suspect during the serial killer storyline, Luke Durville is characterised by his odd behaviour. But Urquhart says there's more to Luke than first meets the eye.

"Luke is misunderstood. His strange demeanour and interests are his defining features. However, underneath his mumbling exterior lurks a kind, considerate individual. He is traditional, loyal and professional, longing for companionship and thirsty for knowledge."

When Urquhart's not acting, he spends his time teaching at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland and working as a DJ. But every time Urquhart returns to Shortland Street, he says it doesn't take long to settle back into the groove of things.

since I've been on here BUT OMG I HATE Penny!  Knowing that she will (eventually) get hers does NOT help.  Must be getting impatient in my old age

On another note am loving Phonix (how the heck IS that spelt) Evan and Jasmine but hating Ula

Thoughts?

Today marks the return of Shortland Street to British screens for the first time since 2003 with Englishman Adam Rickitt featuring as the big draw-card.

The Kiwi soap will begin screening nightly on the UK’s Living network this week starting from where the ex-Coronation Street actor joined back in 2007 as Kieran Mitchell.

After previously screening in the UK on ITV, Shortland Street will screen once again with two episodes nightly on the network, thanks to Rickitt’s English connection.

"I think he would have been a factor in them getting it," Shortland Street producer Steven Zanoski said. "Whenever you put an international actor into any production, the idea is there that it will attract an international audience, but it is also down to the content of the show."

7:00pm Friday, August 20 on TV2

Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) and Callum McKay (Peter Mochrie) couldn't pick a worse time to take a holiday on Shortland Street tonight, when a super bug hits the hospital.

Worried that Rachel is going to burn herself out at work, Callum suggests they take an impromptu holiday. Though initially reluctant, Rachel finally agrees and they eventually get into the swing of relaxing.

But when disaster strikes at the hospital with the outbreak of an aggressive bug, neither Rachel nor Callum are contactable, and little do they know that an unimpressed DHB (Departmental Health Board) rep has decided to pay a surprise visit.

7:00pm Tuesday, August 17 on TV2

Nicole Miller (Sally Martin) pays a price for her arrogance on Shortland Street this week, when her fundraiser goes horribly wrong.

Keen to raise some money for the hospital social club, Nicole decides to hold a car wash. But when Gerald (Harry McNaughton) and Yvonne (Alison Quigan) advise her to seek the relevant permissions, Nicole brushes aside their concerns.

Thrilled when the event seems to be a roaring success, Nicole is then gob-smacked when she is presented with some very bad news.

Manipulative Brooke Freeman (Beth Allen) decides to take a different approach on Shortland Street tonight, when she launches a nice-offensive.

7:00pm Weeknights on TV2

Shortland Street tackles a controversial but prevalent issue this week, addressing teenage bullying.

According to a study supported by the New Zealand Police (conducted by Dr Gabrielle Maxwell and Janis Carroll-Lind) high levels of both physical and emotional bullying goes on in New Zealand schools. It was found that within any particular year it is likely that at least half, and perhaps as many as three quarters of children are bullied.

With the introduction of several new teenage characters on Shortland Street, producer Steven Zanoski believes that bullying is an important topic for the show to deal with.

The dream of a piece of toast turned into drama at South Pacific Pictures this afternoon as an overly sensitive smoke detector triggered an evacuation.

On the account for the new series The Almighty Johnsons, they wrote:

The cafe menu is just fine today. Moral of the story is to not let busy @shortlandtweet publicists near kitchen appliances.

The Shortland Street account commented:

Oops! Just had to evacuate the Shortland Street studios thanks to some burnt toast. Fire engine and all...oh dear