Hollyoaks star takes a surprise career turn after quitting the soap after being involved in some of the series’ most controversial storylines

He was known for his role as Sid Summer in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

But actor Billy Price, 23, left the series in 2022 after three years and took a career turn in a completely different direction.

Billy joined Hollyoaks in 2019, which has now moved to Channel 4’s sister channel E4, as a guest, but he remained as a regular and covered some heavy drug dealing storylines and even had one of his legs amputated after he was ran over. by Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell).

Today, Billy has expanded his business and launched the Pasii brand that specializes in socks and sells other clothing items.

A pair of socks from Billy’s branded premium range costs £9.99, plus postage, and he also sells T-shirts, jumpers, tracksuits and sports towels.

Although Billy is now an entrepreneur, he has not yet turned his back on acting completely, having played Kyle Mainwaring in an episode of BBC One soap Doctors this year.

Prior to Hollyoaks he appeared in a number of theater productions including Peter Pan, Oliver!, Goodnight Mister Tom and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Billy also starred in EastEnders after auditioning for the role of Bobby Beale, which has been played by Clay Milner Russell since 2019.

Recalling how his role in Hollyoaks was expanded, Billy explained to the Soap from the box podcast: “I think I should have been in four or five episodes. Honestly, it was absolutely crazy.

“I did five episodes and then they told me to do one or two more. So I went back and did those, so it ended up being about seven.

‘When I left I auditioned for EastEnders. I auditioned for Bobby Beale.

‘I’ve been to so many EastEnders auditions! They are so sweet there.’

He continued, “I’m up for Bobby Beale and Hunter. I actually got pretty far in those auditions. I got quite far in the Bobby Beale – I think there were three others left.

For sale: A pair of socks from Billy’s brand’s premium range costs £9.99, plus postage, and he also sells T-shirts, jumpers, tracksuits and sports towels (Billy pictured as his Hollyoaks character Sid Summer)

‘I didn’t really get the part, like you get as an actor. You don’t always get the part.

‘A few days after I didn’t get the part, I got a call from my agent saying, “They’re going to promote your Hollyoaks character to a regular.”

‘I was over the moon. Everything happens with a reason.

“It was an honor – Sid is such a lovely character and I really wanted to redeem him. There was so much to discover.’

It comes after it was reported that the Hollyoaks cast were planning to ‘quit the show’ amid fears the Channel 4 ax would put jobs at risk.

The report comes after Channel 4 canceled the soap from its regular 6.30pm TV schedule and moved to E4 for a schedule change.

According to The sunthis sparked concern among the cast, who wondered if their roles in the series will be safe.

A source said: ‘The cast have been reassured that budgets will remain the same, but many people are concerned.

Announcement: Channel 4 bosses have recently canceled Hollyoaks from its regular 6.30pm TV schedule and switched it to sister station E4

‘A few key cast members have quietly asked their agents to look out for new roles and shows they could appear in if things don’t work out at Hollyoaks.

‘It has made many people nervous about job security, despite bosses insisting no-one’s jobs are at risk.’

The MailOnline contacted Hollyoaks for comment.

As part of the new plans, episodes will become available online the day before they premiere on linear TV on E4.

Bosses have pulled the plug on the soap, which airs on the main channel, in a new digital strategy to freshen up viewing experiences at the state broadcaster.

The broadcaster announced that the new schedule would launch on Monday, September 25, promising viewers “a huge stunt week packed with spectacular and eye-catching storylines” with “scenes shot in sensational new locations.”

Fans of the show, which is set in a drama-filled village in Chester, can still catch up on the weekly omnibus airing on Channel 4.

Episodes are also uploaded to YouTube, so they are suitable for younger audiences, and can be watched on YouTube the week after streaming and airing on E4.

Channel 4 has been home to Hollyoaks for almost thirty years, and this latest change signals an attempt to keep up with the digital age and reflects the increasing demand for on-demand entertainment.

64 percent of viewers watched the soap via episode streaming or E4 this year, meaning 556 million minutes of the show were streamed in the first half of the year – signaling a shift in viewing habits.