Jamie "Fletch" Fletcher is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sam Darbyshire.

Fletch was originally a recurring character and Darbyshire was promoted to the regular cast in 2007 by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood.

The character is introduced into the series as a student studying at the local school and a member of the show's Ashworth family.

The story documented Fletch and his girlfriend Sasha's descent into addiction, beginning with regular cannabis use and their later reliance on the drug heroin.

Fletch is introduced into the series as a student studying for his GCSE exams at Hollyoaks Comprehensive school.

On the official Hollyoaks website, Fletch is described as having "an uncanny knack of forever finding himself at the centre of his mate's pranks."

In his first six months he shared his screen time with Josh and his Grandfather Bill Ashworth (John Jardine).

[3] After forming his double act with Josh, writers portrayed them concocting money making scams.

[4] They were also shown hoaxing other characters such as Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby) and Nancy Hayton (Jessica Fox).

[5][6] In 2007, Darbyshire was promoted to the regular cast by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood as his screen time increased as part of his more prominent storylines.

[7] Fletch began appearing more frequently alongside the characters of Josh, Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies), Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes) and they form a band called "The Baby Diegos".

[7] Writers created a romance rivalry story between Fletch, Michaela and their friend Sasha Valentine (Nathalie Emmanuel).

A Hollyoaks publicist told Kris Green from Digital Spy that "both Micheala and Sasha have got the hots for Fletch so he has a tough choice to make.

Fletch first gains access to heroin when Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) loses a packet of the drug.

When Sasha and Fletch are caught in a compromising position, her brother, Calvin Valentine (Ricky Whittle) presumes they have had sex.

Emmanuel told an Inside Soap reporter that Calvin is "so mad" with Sasha and Fletch that his reaction causes her to move out.

This is in line with Sasha's characterisation, rather than Fletch's, as Emmanuel noted her character is "she is too easily led astray" by men.

[9] Fletch and Sasha have sex for the first time and they are caught by her father Leo Valentine (Brian Bovell) and his partner Valerie Holden (Samantha Giles).

Darbyshire told an Inside Soap reporter that "Fletch is gutted when the Ashworths lock him up, they even bring in a bucket for him to pee in, and he's like 'No, way!'.

Darbyshire branded the scenes "emotional" and revealed that "Hannah likens Fletch's drug problem to her battle with anorexia, and they both start crying.

[11] In his final scenes, Fletch fails his exams and mugs Sasha, stealing her bag to buy drugs and absconds from Hollyoaks village.

Fletch writes a song for Hannah's birthday party and later forms a band with Michaela, Josh, Amy and Sasha.

Amy is shocked to find Fletch high around her daughter, Leah Barnes (Jessica Croft-Lane).

Sasha and Fletch steal Nancy Hayton's (Jessica Fox) purse and money to buy more drugs.

His party is ruined by Rhys Ashworth's (Andrew Moss) return and Fletch leaves feeling ignored by his family.

Josh refuses to help Fletch and he attacks Myra and steals her bag but is annoyed to find no money inside it.

He then witnesses Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane) pushing Tina Reilly (Leah Hackett), who is pregnant, down some stairs.