Gregory Finnegan is "proud" of \'Hollyoaks\' for covering a county lines plot.
The soap is tackling the hard-hitting issue - in which criminal gangs traffic drugs into rural areas and smaller towns, often by coercing children into doing so - full-on this year, and the James Nightingale star has been impressed with the "super-talented" young actors for "bringing the story to life".
He said: "It\'s a big issue facing the youth of today, particularly some of the most disenfranchised, and \'Hollyoaks\' is always at the forefront of those types of stories.
"I\'m proud of the show for taking the time to understand it and put it front and centre. We have some super talented young actors in the show and I knew they would do a brilliant job bringing the story to life, and they are.
"I\'m a bit of a news hound, so I have been aware of the issue for a while.
"Young criminal gangs are a real problem in big cities and the advent of sending kids out to deal in smaller towns and rural communities is a real issue across the country.
"It\'s a hard story to tell and fantastic that \'Hollyoaks\' is taking on this topic."
\'Hollyoaks\' aired a flash-forward episode over the festive period, which zoomed forward 12 months to New Year\'s Eve 2020 to see how the village\'s youngsters have been affected by county lines, and Gregory has admitted "no one" in the village is "safe" after a body bag was shown in the sneak peek of the future ep.
He said: "Everyone in the village will be touched by this story - no one is safe this year.
"I\'ve heard a fair amount of debate on who is in the body bag but its top secret and hopefully we\'ll be able to keep it that way till New Year\'s Eve."
Greg recently admitted he isn\'t allowed to shave off his beard because it could ruin the continuity on \'Hollyoaks\'.
He told BANG Showbiz: "I thought I was having my beard shaved off, but I\'m told that is no longer happening.
"It\'s been about a year and a half, but no, I agree with the decision wholeheartedly.
"It\'s the greater look of the whole cast, and I totally respect that.
"It is a strange thing that I have to keep this to a grade two.
"But that\'s life. I\'m willing to sacrifice my beard length for the show."
