Jamelia reveals the REAL reason for her sudden exit from Hollyoaks – as the soap is set to axe twenty characters in a time-jump cast cull

Jamelia has revealed the real reason behind her sudden departure from Hollyoaks, as the soap will cut 20 characters in a time jump.

The 42-year-old singer briefly joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 before returning last year.

But Jamelia, who stars in soap opera Drama Queens, revealed she decided to leave her recent venture as she struggled to balance single parenthood with her four daughters with work.

Jamelia has been a single mother since her husband walked out while she was pregnant in 2022.

“Hollyoaks was like a plaster on a very deep wound,” she said on the latest episode of ITVBe’s Drama Queens. ‘But I know I’m not cured. I have not done the healing work that needs to be done. I can’t do that while focusing on such a demanding job, on top of the most demanding job: being a mother to four people.”

The 42-year-old singer briefly joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 before returning last year

She added: “I have loved my time at Hollyoaks. Every second. But I know I’ve blocked something and I haven’t dealt with a lot of things and I need to take that time.

‘They offered me another year. I really wanted to say yes because I loved it, but I know it wouldn’t be the right thing for me to do right now.

‘I don’t know if I’m going to regret saying no. They left it open… they didn’t kill Sharon. For which I am truly grateful.

‘But I have to take some time for myself. I just have to stop and think and process. And I have to deal with all the things I haven’t dealt with yet.”

Viewers of Drama Queens will follow Jamelia on her journey through family life and leaving Hollyoaks.

In March it was reported that bosses had decided to fire 20 cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.

However, one of the twenty stars was later accidentally named Jamelia, after ITV released a synopsis for their new reality show, Drama Queens.

The reality show follows nine female soap stars from Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street as they give soap fans an insight into their lives off camera.

Part of the synopsis for the reality show reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own wellbeing and family over the glitz of Hollyoaks’

But Jamelia, who stars in soap opera Drama Queens, revealed she decided to leave her recent venture as she struggled to balance single parenthood with her four daughters with work.

Viewers of Drama Queens will follow Jamelia on her journey through family life and leaving Hollyoaks

Part of the synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own wellbeing and family over the glitz of Hollyoaks.

“As she prepares to say goodbye to the show, we witness her emotional transition as she returns to her life in Britain to start anew in Dubai, all the while nurturing her bond with her four daughters.”

The sun reported that scriptwriters have devised a bizarre plan to ‘jump’ the schedule by a year, permanently fast-forwarding twenty characters from the soap.

A source told the publication: ‘The loss of twenty cast members in one fell swoop is eye-watering and devastating news for soapland.

‘In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. But the days of soaps having to clear out a large cast with a devastating stunt are long gone, especially on Hollyoaks where the budget has been dramatically cut.

‘The time jump is a way for Hollyoaks to say goodbye to the characters fans need closure, but it will be controversial.’

The Sun reported last month that Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox) and Owen Warner (Romeo Nightingale) had volunteered to leave.

In March it was reported that bosses had decided to fire 20 cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed

Lime Pictures, which makes the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to raise their hands.

Ross Adams also decided to quit Hollyoaks after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram update.

The actor, who has played the role of Scott Drinkwell since 2015, revealed that although he was offered a new contract, the crew was “having a pretty hard time” and he felt it was best to leave.

His departure comes after Channel 4 bosses cut budgets and reduced the number of episodes.

The broadcaster announced that episodes would be reduced from five to three from September, resulting in the loss of 135 jobs.