Cheryl Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bronagh Waugh.

She made her first appearance in main Hollyoaks episodes in July 2009, introduced to the serial by series producer, Lucy Allan.

In 2010 when Paul Marquess began producing the serial, he felt that Cheryl was being used in the wrong way, subsequently making her a central character to the show.

The character of Cheryl was created to help correctly show a cross-section of young people in British society.

When Cheryl was introduced to the main cast she had already established links with character Zak Ramsey (Kent Riley), who she had previously shared a fling with.

[2] Bronagh Waugh and Ricky Whittle (Calvin Valentine) discussed why they believed the character was introduced into the main series stating: "I think they brought me in to lighten it [Hollyoaks] up."

"[1] Waugh also credited actor Gerard McCarthy who plays Kris Fisher in the series for helping her secure the role.

"[2] Waugh has also compared her to a popular cartoon character stating: "She's like the Tasmanian devil, just a whirlwind hurricane leaving carnage in her wake and then totters off as if that's completely normal and goes and buys a loaf of bread.

"[8] She has also spoke about her character's softer side stating: "She's like a bulldozer, she just storms in and goes nuts, and she's a real maneater.

"[1] The official E4 publicity describes her as 'the bubbly tart with a heart' and states that she spells out trouble for the males and causes a ruckus for the females.

[9] During an interview on loose Women Waugh spoke about her character stating: "I play the maneater of the village that tries to get them all but it doesn't really work.

"[5] She was later paired with the character Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) for a few months, but their relationship was ruined after Cheryl found out he was actually in love with Steph Cunningham (Carley Stenson).

[11] Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly reported that Cheryl and Brendan's departures will occur during an "explosive week" of Hollyoaks.

She first appeared in the Hollyoaks village in the back of a taxi and visited Malachy at the McQueen's, claiming she was looking for Zak Ramsey, whom she had shared a kiss with.

Sasha Valentine (Nathalie Emmanuel) ordered a noisy Cheryl to leave the church and, on her exit, she walked into Mercedes.

Leo and Calvin ask Cheryl to leave, but she eventually proved herself by persuading Malachy and Mercedes not to sue Spencer for Malchy's accident on the building site.

Cheryl sees Gilly holding an engagement ring, which Fernando Fernandez (Jeronimo Best) plans to give to Steph.

Malachy also fancies Lynsey, so in an attempt to not hurt Cheryl's feelings, the pair agree to keep their affair private.

Cheryl sets employees Rhys and Jacqui up on a date, convinced they're in love and hoping to create a new relationship.

After emerging from hospital, Cheryl finally meets her "silent partner" Danny Houston (Darren Day).

There was a robbery attempt in The Dog in the Pond which Cheryl discovered was staged by Warren to make people not hate him.

Cheryl is invited to The Royal Wedding she is determined to lose weight and asks Lynsey for slimming pills.

She is unaware that Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle), has swapped the slimming pills for sedatives and she ends up in hospital.

Silas' evil side is discovered when he accidentally murdered his daughter Heidi Costello (Kim Tiddy), intending to kill Lynsey instead, who was wearing the same costume as them on Halloween.

In the aftermath of Lynsey's murder, Cheryl and Brendan briefly live with Mercedes and Riley Costello (Rob Norbury).

Cheryl also forms a close friendship with Annalise Appleton (Tamaryn Payne) who helps her get over Lynsey's death further.

"[14] Despite her nomination, Waugh lost the award to Coronation Street's Craig Gazey for his portrayal of Graeme Proctor.

[18] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy commented on the character saying she has become known to the public because of her larger-than-life antics and man-hungry ways since making her debut as a regular.