Hollyoaks is forced to continue without star Jennifer Metcalfe after she is stranded in Ibiza following air traffic control meltdown

Hollyoak’s filming has been left in potential chaos after Jennifer Metcalfe got stuck in Ibiza.

The 39-year-old actress was one of many hit by Monday’s major traffic control failure, which saw thousands of flights halted and cancelled.

Sadly, this now means that Jennifer – who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap – can’t take part in any filming until she returns.

Jennifer flew to the Balearic party island with former co-star Leah Hackett last week, but revealed on Instagram that her return travel plans had been put on hold.

She posted a snippet of her view of the beach, writing, “It should be up in the air right now.”

The actress also asked fans for advice, writing: “Is anyone at Ibiza airport? What about Ryanair flights to the UK?’

Jennifer is one of them the thousands of stranded Britons trapped after 80 per cent of flights from Britain are delayed, with disruptions continuing into the week.

Britain’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said it was experiencing “technical difficulties” that forced air traffic controllers to switch from an automatic system for landing and dispatching flights to a manual system on one of the busiest days of the year.

Putting aside her holiday and being stuck abroad, Jennifer said last year she is ‘completely single’ after breaking up with Oldham Athletic player Chris Eagles, 37.

In April, the soap star proved she’s still the friendliest ex with former Geordie Shore star Greg Lake, 38, when they took their son Daye, five, out for dinner.

The couple announced in August 2020 that they had split after eight years together.

Revealing that she would like to have more children, Jennifer shared The sun: ‘As long as my parts still work, I won’t rule it out at the age of fifty. I’ve actually always been very enthusiastic about adoption and I would do the same as a single parent.’

Daye lives with Jennifer near Manchester but sees his father, who lives in Newcastle, every other weekend and during school holidays.

Nightmare: The actress, 39, was one of many hit by Monday’s major traffic control failure, which saw thousands of flights halted and canceled

Extended time off: Unfortunately, this now means Jennifer – who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap – can’t take part in new filming

Girls trip: Jennifer flew to the White Isle with former co-star Leah Hackett last week, but took to Instagram to reveal that her return trip plans had been put on hold

Speaking of the end of her romantic relationship with Greg, the soap star insisted she never wants them to feel “divided” over their son.

She explained, “There was no bad energy (at the end) and I don’t even like using the phrase ‘split up.’ We will never be separated, we are a family and always will be.

“I never want us to feel divided, for Daye, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that’s the case. It was a case of, ‘This is us now and how can we switch this without Daye feeling it?’

Jennifer confirmed on Instagram in 2020 that the couple had secretly split a few months earlier.

The soap star then had a brief romance with footballer Chris, but they split in 2021.

The Sun reported that the soap star and her partner were enjoying a night out with friends in the Algarve when an argument broke out, leaving Jennifer flying home alone.

A source told The sun at the time: ‘Jen and Chris haven’t had the easiest of romances and now it’s all over. They’ve had a few fights lately and Jen’s had enough.’

Family: In April, the soap star proved she’s still the friendliest ex with former Geordie Shore star Greg Lake, 38, when they took their son Daye, five, out for dinner