Amber Sharpe is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lydia Lloyd-Henry in 2010 and Lauren Gabrielle-Thomas in 2014.

The character was introduced as a member of the new Sharpe family, as part of series producer Paul Marquess' rejuvenation of the serial in 2010.

[1] Amber's storylines have included sleeping with Finn O'Connor and subsequently discovering she is pregnant and giving birth to her daughter Bella.

In July 2014, it was announced that Amber would be returning to Hollyoaks for three episodes in late 2014, with the role recast to former Waterloo Road actress Lauren Gabrielle-Thomas.

[3] It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up", changing the productions team[4] and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters.

[10][11] On 12 April 2010, it was announced that soap newcomer Lydia Lloyd-Henry had been cast in Hollyoaks as youngest child Amber of the Sharpe family,[12] and would be joined by mother Gabby (Phina Oruche), father Phil (Andonis Anthony) and brother Taylor (Shaun Blackstock).

"[14] In an interview with Digital Spy, Phina Oruche spoke about Lloyd-Henry, commenting: "The actors that are playing them [Amber and Taylor] are both brilliant, the kids themselves are really energetic.

[16] In September 2010, it was announced that Hollyoaks, teaming up with Channel 4 Education's Battlefront, would explore an underage sex storyline involving 12-year-old Amber and Finn O'Connor (Connor Wilkinson).

[17][18][19] Explaining the storyline, series producer Marquess said: "Hollyoaks has long been credited for tackling difficult issues that affect young people in a sensitive and intelligent way.

"[17] The idea for the storyline was conceptualised by Hollyoaks producers, when they heard about Abbie Louise Davies Battlefront campaign to encourage young people not to feel pressurised into sex.

"[17] Amber first appears on 21 June 2010, when she receives a call from Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) telling her that her mother Gabby has been in a car accident.

Amber and brother Taylor are confused when they return home with Tony and their belongings are missing, not realising that Gabby had planned to take her children and run away while Phil was gone.

When Gabby talks to Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson), she tells her that Amber stole a pregnancy test from Drive 'n' Buy.

Hollyoaks High School headmaster Rob O'Connor (Gary Cargill) finds out that Amber is pregnant and asks her to see a professional councillor, which she agrees.