Tom Vaughan as Spike in Hollyoaks

Fan favorite Spike (Tom Vaughan) has returned (momentarily) to Hollyoaks, and brought a touch of gay to the local pub.

Spike was John Paul's first lover, but was dumped when J.P. fell in love with Craig. He hasn't been seen since, but has returned to help Neville with the grand opening of the "Jolly Roger" pub ... by promoting it as "gay night".

Needless to say, the people working the pub are a bit surprised (especially Rhys, who's dressed like "sailor in the wild"), but gay night is a big success.

We also get another round in the complicated relationship of Russ and bisexual Ravi. Russ is shocked that he's walked into the middle of a temporary gay bar, and is worried that someone might try to plunder his booty. Ravi enjoys teasing him about it, while doing a little cruising of his own.

You can see the clip after the break, and I hope they can find some way to keep Spike around. What do you think, Hollyoaks fans ... are you glad to see Spike back, and do you want to see more?

Jorn Weisbrodt and Rufus Wainwright bundle up to visit the NYC Museum of Modern Art (GETTY)

Following this assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• Theater director Jorn Weisbrodt and his celebrity boyfriend, singer Rufus Wainwright, braved the unseasonably cold weather last night to attend the opening of "Pour Your Body Out", a multimedia installation by artist Pipilotti Rist at the NYC Museum of Modern Art. A "multimedia installation"? Isn't that what Carrie's Russian boyfriend did on Sex & the City? And no one could quite figure out what it meant?

• True Blood star Ryan Kwanten has given an interview to POPWRAP in which he talks about working with out producer Alan Ball and all the nude scenes he's been required to do: "But I am putting myself in Mr. Ball's careful hands so it's never just nudity for nudity's sake - it always comes from a strong story point."

• A documentary to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first World AIDS Day has been commissioned by BBC Radio 2. How AIDS Changed America will be presented by actor Paul Michael Glaser (who lost both his wife and daughter to an AIDS-related illness) and will air on BBC Radio 2 on December 2nd. The doc will combine archival footage and new interviews and "look back at nearly three decades of pain, prejudice and progress in the American peoples' struggle with the virus."

Niall delivers a crippling blow to Craig on Hollyoaks Later.

• Good news for Holllyoaks fans. The much anticipated return of the evil Niall (Barry Sloane) will occur November 24th on the late night spin-off Hollyoaks Later. He's set to do battle with the gay character of Craig (Guy Burnet), who's returning for this special showdown. The last time we saw Craig he was riding off into the sunset with boyfriend John Paul.

• And finally, today is the tenth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. It was founded ten years ago to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered November 28, 1998. The annual event is designed to raise public awareness of anti-transgender hate crimes and to encourage people to be allies to the transgender community. To mark the occasion, GLAAD is premiering a new PSA starring transgender actress Candis Cayne.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

When John Paul left Hollyoaks for good, we bemoaned the fact that there was no longer a regularly occurring gay character on the show. But did we speak too soon?

Find out more after the break with a very special Hollyoaks Semi-Mega Post!

The McQueen family is trying to pick up the pieces after losing one of their own. Will this persuade John Paul to reconsider and move back home? Um ... no. But you can find out why after the break (and learn about a gay fan favorite returning to the show) with another Hollyoaks Mega Post!

It's the aftermath of the explosion, and when it's all over, one McQueen child will not survive. Join us after the break for another Hollyoaks Megapost!

This is it, Hollyoaks fans! After months of murder, evil glances, and distracting hotness, the Mcqueen family black sheep has set his final plan in motion. Grab some popcorn and join us after the break for part one of Niall's Revenge!