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On Wednesday, ITV accidentally revealed one of the 20 cast members due to be axed from Hollyoaks in its upcoming ‘time jump’ plot.
It was reported on Monday that bosses had decided to axe twenty cast members, but their identities had not been revealed.
However, one of the twenty stars has been revealed as Jamelia, after ITV released a synopsis for their new reality show, Drama Queens.
The reality show will follow nine female soap stars from across Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and Coronation Street as they give soap fans a glimpse into their lives off camera.
Part of its synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritising her own well-being and family over the glitz of Hollyoaks.
On Wednesday, ITV accidentally revealed the actress behind one of the twenty characters due 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 stars
Part of the reality show’s synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritising her own well-being and family over the glitz of Hollyoaks’
‘As she prepares to bid farewell to the show, we witness her emotional transition, packing up her life in the UK to start anew in Dubai, all while cherishing the bond with her four daughters.’
The Sun reported that script writers have come up with a bizarre plan to ‘time jump’ the programme by a year, which will fast-forward 20 characters out of the soap permanently.
A source told the publication: ‘Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is eye-watering and devastating news for soap land.
‘In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. But the days of soaps having a big cast clear-out 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 that need to go and give closure to the fans – 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, who makes the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to stick their hands up.
Ross Adams also decided to quit Hollyoaks after nine years one the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram update.
The actor, who has starred as Scott Drinkwell since 2015, revealed that while he was offered a new contract the crew were ‘having a pretty rough time’ and he felt it best to leave.
His departure comes after Channel 4 bosses cut budgets and slashed the number of episodes.
The broadcaster announced that from September episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.
Ross Adams has already quit Hollyoaks after after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram post last week
The Channel 4 soap are ditching a whole host of actors when it goes from five episodes a week to three – it has not been revealed who (cast of Hollyoaks pictured)
Sharing an update to Instagram, Ross said he wished to ‘try other things and more challenging roles’.
Alongside a photo of his first and last day on set, he wrote: ‘Ok… So I have some pretty big news that I want to share with you. After nearly a decade, I have made the decision to leave Hollyoaks.
‘It was always a dream of mine to act in a soap and playing Scott Drinkwell (and his alter-ego Anita Tinkle) made that dream a reality.
‘It’s been 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 wonderful cast and one of the most dedicated crews in the business – all of whom are having a pretty rough time at the moment.
‘So, deciding not to sign another contract was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.
‘Sometimes though, you’ve just got to be brave – and now feels like the right time for me to try some other things that I’ve been super keen to do. I really hope you’ll all come with me for the ride! Big love, Ross x.’
Ross added in an interview with Metro.co.uk: ‘Hollyoaks were kind enough to offer me another contract, but last year I did a documentary about adoption and I really enjoyed doing that.’
He continued: ‘After playing Scott for so long, you do get comfortable. I’d have happily stayed there forever but I think sometimes you have to push yourself.’
Revealing his character will not be killed off, the actor explained: ‘I feel like he’s had a really rough ride and I don’t know what my exit is going to be but I just hope he has a happy ending. It’s all he’s ever wanted and he’s never quite got there.’
It was previously announced Jamie Lomas, who portrays gangster Warren Fox in the soap, had told bosses he will be leaving later this year
Channel 4 announced a round of job cuts on January 8 in a bid to tighten its budgets in the wake of a ‘sharp and protracted advertising slowdown’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Channel 4 is a wholly commercially funded and self-reliant broadcaster known for producing iconoclastic programmes and generating enormous value for the UK creative economy.
‘Like every organisation, we are having to deal with an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to become a wholly digital public service broadcaster in the long term.
‘As a result, we need to continue to divest from our linear channels business and simplify our operations to become a leaner organisation.’
