A Hollyoaks star has spilled the beans about their official exit from the hit Channel 4 soap, crushing hopes for their much-anticipated return.
It’s been a year of goodbyes on the Hollyoaks set with loads of big names waving cheery bye, and Richard Blackwood joined the leaving do in January as he said ta-ra to his role of Felix Westwood.
Despite chatter about Richard rocking up again in Chester village soon, the actor, who’s 52, has now dished out that he won’t be bouncing back, choosing to ditch the soap after a solid four-year stint.
Spilling the tea on the Rated 18 Show, Richard dropped the bombshell: “Okay, so officially I’ve left Hollyoaks now.” He didn’t stop there, explaining his reasons for leaving the show: “If you want to go further, you do three or four tops, after that you are cemented into the show-your name is fixed, so casting people don’t wanna even see you.”
(Image: Lime Pictures)
Richard’s obviously got his eyes on fresh gigs and doesn’t fancy being stuck in one box too long after his long stay in Soapland. Before he slammed the door, Richard’s alter ego Felix Westwood was caught up in a proper dramatic plot that saw a savage car pile-up with four motors. It ended with poor Ella Richardson pushing up the daisies.
Felix had been in the driver’s seat during the crash, battling his demons as he squared off with his best mate Warren and fiancee Mercedes McQueen talking about a messy love triangle. The drama reached a peak when Felix and Warren decided to take a paternity test to find out who fathered Mercedes’ twins.
(Image: Getty Images)
Richard’s exit comes amid a period of significant change for Hollyoaks. It was previously reported that the bosses are planning to axe 20 characters from the Channel 4 soap in a major shake-up.
Furthermore, the number of weekly episodes has been reduced from five to three, and the show is transitioning to an online-only format, marking a significant shift in how the series is distributed.
The cast changes haven’t only impacted recent additions. Stephanie Waring, a long-standing cast member who had been with the show for 28 years, was abruptly let go by the bosses, reflecting the sweeping changes taking place on the show.
(Image: Lime Pictures)
Hollyoaks star Ela-May Demircan is also reportedly set to leave ahead of the changes coming into effect next month. Matthew James Bailey who plays fan-favourite Ethan Williams will also be exiting the show.
Jamie Lomas, who plays Warren Fox, will also be leaving, with his character currently involved in a storyline where he is targeted by gangster Blue.
Hollyoaks airs weeknights on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 at 7.30pm
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
