Ex-Hollyoaks hunk admits he gave up fame and A-list flings to get a ‘normal’ job

A former Hollyoaks hunk has revealed that he has left the limelight behind to become a teacher.

Jeremy Edwards was a heartthrob on the Channel 4 soap, playing Kurt Benson from 1995 to 1999.

He went on to be one of the most well-known pin-ups throughout his stint on the show, living a lavish lifestyle.

READ MORE: Hollyoaks hunk unrecognisable 13 years after Channel 4 soap exit as he becomes lawyer

At the height of his fame the actor was engaged to S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens, with the couple constantly being followed by the press.

It was revealed that the pair were offered £2million for their wedding photos, but they chose to turn the opportunity down.

Despite their relationship going from strength to strength, the pair opted to split in 2003.

Jeremy later admitted that he believed Rachel had cheated on him, but she insisted that she stayed faithful during the relationship.

But since then, Jeremy – now aged 52 – has ditched show-business in order to become a drama teacher.

Edwards now works at Film UK in Hampshire, helping foster children with theatrical aspirations and help them into the industry.

Speaking to The Sun, the former hunk explained that the move came during lockdown when then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak advised actors to look elsewhere for work.

“I agreed with him. I think that people don’t use their transferable skills enough,” he said.

“During Covid the simple fact was there was no work. And now there’s an actor’s strike in America.”

Jeremy admitted that he had not thought about using his skills elsewhere, adding: “I thought, ‘I’ve got 30 years of experience here, what am I doing?'”

Edwards said that after opening his services, he has managed to develop a business working with several groups, teaching kids anywhere between one and six times a week.

He also explained that having a mum as a teacher gave him experience in the classroom, having helped his mum in her own lessons.

Jeremy has been on the telly since he left Hollyoaks in 1999, having played Danny Shaughnessy on Holby City, as well as trying his hand at singing on The X Factor ‘s celebrity edition in 2019.

Edwards returned to the village in 2020 as part of a small storyline, after initially being suspected to have died.

Reprising his role as hunky Kurt, Edwards joined the show for the soap’s 25th anniversary. Kurt rode in on his motorcycle, getting close with once-close mate Tony.

But his intentions were more malicious, hoping to scam the village out of thousands to pay off debt he had built up.

Once his ruse was clocked, Kurt left the village as quickly as he arrived, officially leaving the soap for a second time in December of 2020.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk