Hollyoaks residents recently said their goodbyes to Marnie Nightingale.
The Salon De Thé owner recently died following a huge fire explosion, with her family and friends struggling to come to terms with their loss.
Actress Lysette Anthony became a fan favourite on the Channel 4 soap after she joined in 2016 but following her shock axe from the programme, her exit left many viewers devastated.
Like her onscreen character, Lysette’s life has been just as interesting – from a forgotten Hollyoaks role, Hollywood fame and a surprise link to rock star Bryan Adams and his hit song Summer of ’69.
Shock Hollyoaks exit
(Image: Lime Pictures / Channel 4)
Fans were devastated recently when popular Hollyoaks character Marnie Nightingale was killed after she collapsed from an injury following the village explosion.
Marnie’s shock Hollyoaks exit caused an outpouring of emotion from viewers on social media, with one fan saying: “The show will not be the same without you. Thank you for giving us one of the best characters and for helping me personally realise that it’s ok to be an individual through your portrayal.”
A second commented: “They made a huge mistake, you were one of the best characters Hollyoaks has ever seen. You are fabulous and will be missed.”
(Image: Lime Pictures / Channel 4)
A third viewer added: “Marnie is one of the absolute best characters the show has ever had and I’m going to miss her and you so much. Remember that you have all the love from all of us here.”
Lysette has since paid tribute to her character on social media, blowing a kiss to the camera in a video and telling fans “my heart is broken” after leaving the soap.
However it was not the actresses’ first role on the soap, as in 2008 and 2009, the star also made an appearance as Yvonne Summers for two episodes.
Soap row
(Image: chezlysette/Instagram)
Following Lysette Anthony’s dramatic exit from Hollyoaks, the star lashed out in a rant against soap bosses, claiming she suffered “18 months of hell”.
During the rant she lashed out at the decision to end her character’s run in the show, suggesting execs were trying to “cancel” her.
Prior to her axe from the soap, fellow co-star Rachel Adedeji left Hollyoaks after four years, accusing the production of racism behind the scenes.
However soon after, Lysette was publicly called out on Twitter by former star Charlie Clapham, who shared messages she had sent in a group chat after he and Amanda Clapham, who played Holly Cunningham, came out in support of Rachel.
Lysette had said in the messages: “..sorry but we’re not going to have a job to come back to if this stuff keeps being disseminated x”.
She had also described Charlie and Amanda as “embittered” and said they had “traitor vibe going on”.
(Image: Getty Images)
The star deleted her Twitter account soon after, but hit out at soap bosses in an Instagram video at the treatment she had since received and the decision to axe her character, saying: “A word to the wise.. ‘seemingly’.. suck on that.. because I am encircled by lawyers – thank GOD! Rule of LAW at last…!
“After 18 months of humiliation, of Hell; Gagged, silenced, suspended, fined .. oh do I have a story to tell.”
She went on to add: “And as for the DISGUSTING sign you have FORCED me to wear for 18 months.. May you rot in hell…
“I have been warned by speaking out I may ‘never work in television again’. Ok. Fine. I am retiring. Go f**k yourselves.. my days of abuse are OVER. SHAME ON YOU”
Hollywood fame
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Long before Lysette played Marnie Nightingale, the star has risen to fame as a model, before making her mark in the acting world.
She later went on to make her acting debut in the TV film of Ivanhoe in 1982, before finding fame in TV series including Auf Wiedersein Pet, Dark Shadows, Cluedo, Night and Day and Three Up, Two Down.
(Image: Brooksfilms)
The star also had a rival soap role in Coronation Street in 2010, when she made a cameo as Lydia Radcliffe for one episode.
However, Lysette is also fondly remembered for her Hollywood films including Robinson Crueso and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
She also starred opposite comedy legends Leslie Nielsen and Mel Brooks in the horror parody Dracula: Dead and Loving it in 1996, as Lucy Westenra.
Bryan Adams link
(Image: Bryan Adams/YouTube)
Music fans were introduced to Lysette Anthony long before she hit Hollywood stardom, as she has a not so hidden link to rock star Bryan Adams.
In the music video for hit record Summer of ’69, Lysette can be seen waking up Bryan Adams after he falls asleep in front of a drive in movie screen, and telling her father at the end of the video that he was ‘nobody’ when questioned who Bryan was.
The actress also appeared as the love of Bryan Adam’s life in his memorable music videos for Run to You, Somebody and Heaven.
Love life
(Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Away from the limelight, Lysette has been married twice – first to Dutch artist Luc Leestemaker from 1990-1995.
However, while filming Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Lysette also found romance as well as fame with film director David Price.
She later divorced Luc Leestemaker and married David Price in 1999, but the couple divorced four years later in 2003.
Lysette also dated composer Simon Boswell from 2004 until 2010, with who she has two children called James and Jack.
Hollyoaks airs weekdays on Channel 4 at 6.30pm followed by first look episodes on E4 at 7pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
