O'Brien is a fictional character in the long-running Channel 4 British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Darren Jeffries.

Actor Darren Jefferies studied drama for three weeks prior to successfully auditioning for the role of O.B.

On his decision to leave Jefferies said it was so he could pursue "new challenges" and said "after 10 years on the show I now feel the time is right to move on".

[3] Producer Bryan Kirkwood added that he was "absolutely gutted by Darren Jeffries' decision to leave but I totally respect that after 10 years of being a character, he wants to move on to different things" and added that he thought Jefferies was a "brilliant" actor.

[5] After leaving in February 2008 Jefferies later confirmed he was to return to work on a storyline which aired later that year.

They carry on their friendship which becomes strained at times including when Clare Devine comes between them and later when Simon Crosby is wrongly accused of being a paedophile and O.B.

There was that huge fallout they had when Max falsely accused Simon of being a paedophile and commented that the pair had made up but "there's still something of an undercurrent.

[3] He later said that he "didn't want OB to go out in a big gas explosion or car crash" before adding that "it will be nice to see him go out in that way too.

[3][11] Kirkwood later added that "as much as I loved their exit stories, Max and OB were big losses.

You can't replace such original characters who have a special place in the audience's hearts".

initially decides to stay in Hollyoaks but leaves to live with Summer and start a new life in London.

It was announced that he would team up with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Grace Black (Tamara Wall) after the entire Osborne family vanish without a trace.

Speaking about his return, Darren said: "It's an absolute pleasure to bring OB back to Hollyoaks village.

"[12] On 7 December 2016, it was reported that Jefferies had already filmed his final scenes and would depart on screen the following month.

first appears in Hollyoaks when he and Max Cunningham (Matt Littler) are briefly school rivals, but soon became best friends.

has a brief relationship with a girl called Roxy Maguire (Harriet Green) who he meets online.

The affair is finally revealed to Gordon who reconciles with Helen before dying together in a car crash.

stops the wedding after being released revealing Clare planned to leave after marrying Max and had bought a plane ticket.

Mel, who also believes O.B., gets evidence of Clare cheating on Max with Warren from CCTV footage in Evissa.

and Mel threaten Clare and are about to leave the Dog to speak to Max, the pub was destroyed by Sam Owen.

discovers Mel's body and when he tries to help Sophie through the flames he is knocked out with a brick by Sam.

In September, the culprit is revealed to be Justin Burton, who had overheard Clare's remarks about his sisters.

Clare is thought to have died at a quarry and convinces Max to pursue his interest in Steph Dean.

Gilly breaks into Simon's house and finds pictures of boys in their swimming trunks.

Gilly and Jake Dean form a lynch mob and begin assaulting Simon's house with bricks and bottles.

When O.B., Gemma and Max get inside, they see him unconscious on the floor, holding his son's photo in his hand.

and Summer plan to move to New York and Max agrees to join him after the wedding is cancelled.

On the morning of the wedding, Max starts to experience chest pains and is rushed to hospital.

Tom is playing in the road and doesn't see Niall Rafferty's car hurtling towards him.

[11] Virgin Media profiled O.B' and Max's double act, stating: "This pair have fallen out more times than you can shake a stick at.