Hollyoaks Cunningham family now – forgotten soap roles, co-star romance and job U-turn

It has been an emotional few weeks in Hollyoaks, with residents saying goodbye to members of the McQueen and Nightingale families.

The soap has seen many long-serving residents leave the soap in tragic and shocking ways since it began in 1995, but none more so than the Cunningham family.

The Cunninghams are one of the original Hollyoaks families, with residents including Cindy and Tom still living the village.

Both Cindy and Tom have taken viewers on a wild ride throughout the past year, with relationship problems one of the major issues they have faced.

As a tribute to one of the soap’s most memorable families, Daily Star has taken a look at where some of the actors who played original members of the Cunningham family are now.

Dawn – Lisa Williamson

Dawn Cunningham was one of the original members of the family when the soap began in 1995, and was eldest of Gordon Cunningham’s children.

However two years later, she sadly died in the soap from cancer, on the same day that her niece Holly Cunningham was born.

Since leaving the soap in 1997, actress Lisa has appeared in the TV series Dream Team and a short film called Siren’s Bay in 2016, as well as appearing in TV adverts for leading beauty brands.

It has since been reported that Lisa has made a career U-turn and now works as a writer and a hypnotherapist.

Max – Matt Littler

Matt Littler joined Hollyoaks as cheeky teenager Max Cunningham, after he took over the role from Ben Sheriff in 1997.

He soon became a fan-favourite on the show, with viewers following his antics with his best friend O.B, but also witnessing shocking moments including the death of his parents and being accused of murder.

Viewers later saw the character tragically killed in a car accident, after the actor chose to leave the soap in 2008.

However, he told the Bury Times that he would forever be fond of his character, saying: “I like Max and think he’s a nice chap. The public will always call me Max, but it is the end of something for me. It will be nice to close the door and move on.

“I have grown up in front of the cameras though and it is quite hard to leave.”

Max and O.B’s close friendship also extended into real life too away from the soap, as O.B actor Darren Jeffries was the best man at Matt’s wedding in 2012.

Matt married long term girlfriend Jayne Mahon at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, and even took guests on a Magical Mystery Tour around the city in a big red bus as part of their big day.

Since leaving Hollyoaks, the best friends also run a production company together called Little Jeff Productions.

Matt has also become a vocal coach, and has lent his voice to various Game Of Thrones video games in 2014 and 2016.

Steph – Carley Stenson

Carley Stenson joined Hollyoaks as Steph Cunningham in 2000 and after playing the character for 10 years, decided to leave the soap.

Her character later died in a tragic storyline, which saw Steph battle cervical cancer.

After leaving the soap in 2010, the actress said she wanted to focus on musical theatre acting, saying to Digital Spy: “Leaving Hollyoaks is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. It has been my dream job for 10 years and I shall miss all of the fantastic friends I have made in the cast and crew.”

She added: “I am very sad to leave but I’m ready for new challenges and I’m looking forward to pursuing a career in musical theatre.”

She has since had huge success on stage, starring in productions such as Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia and Les Miserables, as well as making an appearance in BBC soap Doctors in 2021.

In her personal life, Carley has been married to her husband Danny Mac since 2017, after the couple met on the set of Hollyoaks in 2011 and started a sweet co-star romance.

Danny played heartthrob Mark Savage in the soap, before leaving Hollyoaks in 2015.

The couple have since had a daughter called Skye, who was born on June 14, 2021, with the happy news being announced in a sweet Instagram post.

Carley posted a photo of her and Danny holding Skye’s hand, with the caption: “…And then there were five,” with reference to their two adorable dogs making up the family.

Their fans rushed to social media to congratulate them on the news, with one commenting: “Congratulations to you both, fabulous news and what a lovely name!”

A second said: “Aww lovely news and beautiful name,” while a third added: “Congratulations to you both! What a wonderful Father’s Day present!”

Holly – Amanda Clapham

Amanda Clapham starred as Holly Cunningham in Hollyoaks between 2013 and 2018 and during that time was involved in huge storylines, such as her relationship with Jason Roscoe and the affair with his brother Robbie.

Not only did she find fame on the soap, but she also found romance, as she went on to have a co-star romance with Jason Roscoe actor Alfie Browne-Sykes.

The couple dated for over six years, before splitting in 2020.

Their agents confirmed the couple had parted ways and a source told The Sun Online: “The relationship just ran its course – they didn’t want to make a big fuss or announce it publicly.”

During her time on Hollyoaks, Amanda Clapham was also nominated for Sexiest Female at the Inside Soap Awards 2016.

Since leaving the soap after a brief return in 2019, Amanda has since gone on to work in films, starring as Chloe in 2020’s Next Door and as Charlotte Forbes in Billy Smith, which is currently in post-production.

Helen – Kathryn George

Helen Cunningham was the wife of Gordon Cunningham and first arrived in Hollyoaks in 1997, before being killed in a car accident in 2004.

Like her fellow Hollyoaks co-stars, actress Kathryn George also had roles in other rival soaps before and after her time in the village.

This included playing a shop assistant in Emmerdale between 1995 and 1998 and starring as Shiela in a 2005 episode of Coronation Street.

Away from the soaps, she has also been the voice of TV programme Dickinson’s Real Deal, but has appeared to retire from acting after last being seen onscreen in Doctors as Susan Meadow in 2007.

Gordon – Bernard Latham

Gordon Cunningham was one of Hollyoaks’ original residents, but the character sadly died from a heart attack following a car crash in 2004.

However, long before playing Gordon Cunningham, actor Bernard Lathum was also famous for roles in another rival soap, as he played John Steele and Harry Slinger in Coronation Street between 1989 and 1992.

The actor also starred in TV series including The Practice, Mothers Ruin and September Song, as well as the 1989 film Erik The Viking.

He has continued to appear on our screens since leaving Hollyoaks too, appearing in TV series Stella and most recently Bryn in 2020.

Away from screens, Bernard has also been helping to coach young actors alongside his wife Jane, and in 2008, he coached blind and partially sighted children in Cwmbran for theatre production.

Jane Latham told the South Wales Argus: “The children have had a fabulous time and made many new friends, as well as learning important new skills.

“Some of the children are possibly the only visually impaired child in their school. That can be a bit isolating, so I think it is extremely important to build up their confidence.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk