ITV accidentally reveals one of the 20 cast members due to be AXED from Hollyoaks as soap prepares for ‘huge cast cull in time jump plot’
On Wednesday, ITV accidentally revealed one of 20 cast members set to be fired from Hollyoaks in the upcoming ‘time jump’ plot.
It was reported on Monday that bosses had decided to fire 20 cast members, but their identities had not been revealed.
However, one of the 20 stars has been revealed as 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 reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own wellbeing and family over the glitz of Hollyoaks.
On Wednesday, ITV accidentally revealed the actress behind one of the 20 characters set to be axed from Hollyoaks
She was revealed to be singer Jamelia after ITV released a synopsis for their new programme, Drama Queens, in which she plays the lead
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’
“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.
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.
Ross Adams has already left Hollyoaks after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram post last week
The Channel 4 soap is ditching a host of actors as it goes from five episodes a week to three – it’s not revealed who (Hollyoaks cast pictured)
Ross shared an update on Instagram, saying he wanted to “try different things and more challenging roles.”
Alongside a photo of his first and last day on set, he wrote: “Okay… So I have some pretty big news to share with you. After almost ten years I have made the decision to leave Hollyoaks.
‘It was always a dream of mine to be on a soap opera and playing Scott Drinkwell (and his alter ego Anita Tinkle) made that dream come true.
‘It was a total joy and allowed me to do things I could never have dreamed of; from winning a British Soap Award to writing an episode last year.
“I love the show; the incredible cast and one of the most dedicated crews in the industry – all of whom are having a pretty tough time right now.
‘So the decision not to sign a new contract was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.
‘Sometimes you just have to be brave though – and now it feels like the right time for me to try some other things that I’ve been really wanting to do. I really hope you all come along with me for the ride! Big love, Ross x.”
Ross added in an interview with Metro.nl: ‘Hollyoaks was kind enough to offer me a new contract, but last year I made a documentary about adoption and I really enjoyed doing that.’
He continued, “After playing Scott for so long, you feel comfortable. I would have loved to stay there forever, but I think sometimes you have to push yourself.”
The actor revealed that his character will not be killed off, explaining, “I feel like he’s had a really rough ride and I don’t know what my exit will be, but I just hope he has a happy ending.” It’s all he ever wanted and he never quite got there.”
It was previously announced that Jamie Lomas, who plays gangster Warren Fox in the soap, has told bosses he will be leaving later this year
Channel 4 announced a series of job cuts on January 8 in a bid to tighten budgets in the wake of a ‘sharp and prolonged advertising slowdown’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Channel 4 is a fully commercially funded and independent broadcaster renowned for producing iconoclastic programs and generating huge value for the UK’s creative economy.
‘Like every organization, we are faced with an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to a fully digital public broadcaster in the longer term.
‘As a result, we must continue to divest our linear channels business and simplify our operations to become a leaner organization.’