Welsh actor Darren Jeffries was born on 1982 in Wrexham, the United Kingdom. A former pupil from Padgate College in Warrington and its adjoining high school, Jeffries has been a cast member of the British soap opera Hollyoaks since 1997. His character is that of Sam “O.B.” O’Brien, who has grown from a blithe and carefree teenager and into a responsible adult, yet still enjoys practical jokes and childish humor. OB has also had his share of difficult experiences over the years, from coping with alcoholism to a potholing incident where he feels responsible for the death of one of his friends. He’s also named a suspect in the attempted murder of Clare Cunningham.
After ten years of playing the character, he announced in 2007 that he would be leaving the Channel 4 soap. At The 2008 British Soap Awards, Max (Matt Littler) and OB won The Best On-Screen Partnership Award. They have been nominated for the category before, and fans said that it was great for the pair to win since Jeffries’ departure. Receiving their award, Littler gave a speech that let slip Jeffries’ return to a spectacular storyline. He did make an appearance, together with Sarah Jayne Dunn and Stephanie Warring. Jeffries then left the show in July 11. Despite that, he maintained a close friendship with co-stars Matt Littler, Cassie Powney and Connie Powney.
Darren Jeffries has said that he wanted to work as an actor ever since being part of a primary school play. He owns a French Peugeot 206 car, is a fan of football player Michael Owen and the Liverpool FC, and claims that the most romantic thing he ever did for a girl was a candlelit dinner. Most of his friends and family call him “Daz” and he has made appearances on Big Brother’s Little Brother, and Soapstar Superchef. He was also a guest panelist in The Wright Stuff.
(Photo courtesy of Channel 4)