Hollyoaks star Theo Graham, who plays Hunter McQueen, is the latest actor to announce his departure from the soap.
Theo, who has played Hunter since 2016, told show bosses last year of his intention to exit the soap for good.
The actor left the soap in 2018 and went on to star in Doctors, Fate: The Winx Saga on Netflix and BBC’s Flatmates, before returning as Hunter in 2022.
And his departure will be a tragic one, The Sun has revealed, as Hunter is set to be dramatically killed off – in scenes which have already been filmed and are due to air in the coming weeks.
‘Theo knew when he returned in 2022 that he was only going to stay for a short stint,’ a source said.
Hollyoaks star Theo Graham, who plays Hunter McQueen, is the latest actor to announce his departure from the soap
‘He made his decision a while ago and bosses were happy to come up with a fitting and final exit for him and Hunter.
‘He’s definitely missed on set and he loved his time at Hollyoaks but he can’t wait to take on other roles again.’
MailOnline have contacted both Hollyoaks representatives for comment.
It comes after Stephanie Waring has revealed she was left ‘distraught’ after finding out her character Cindy Cunningham had been axed from the soap.
The actress, 46, has starred in the Cheshire soap for 28 years and is the only original character to be included in a recent cull of 20 cast members.
Steph’s news comes after it was revealed earlier this week that Hollyoaks has become the latest soap to be hit by stringent budget cuts, as it’s reported they are planning to reduce their workforce by 40 per cent.
Speaking about being dropped from the show in an interview with The Sun, Steph confessed she is in utter disbelief over the news as she confessed: ‘I did expect more loyalty after almost three decades.’
The star admitted that while she had a ‘gut feeling’ she was going to be axed, she had also just signed a year-long contract which she thought would save her from the recent cuts.
She said: ‘In the meeting they read from a script and a tear fell from my eye because I could just feel it in the room.
Theo, who has played Hunter since 2016, told show bosses last year of his intention to exit the soap for good
The actor left the soap in 2018 and went on to star in Doctors, Fate: The Winx Saga on Netflix and BBC ‘s Flatmates, before returning as Hunter in 2022
‘They got to the end and said “And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show”. I just kept saying “I don’t understand”. I was very distraught, I didn’t take it well – I was probably the most dramatic person they told.’
Steph explained she was left in floods of tears after hearing the news and has been left completely heartbroken.
She even took a week of work to process the decision, but is now back on set working again as she prepares for her character’s departure.
While she admitted she would never have left on her own accord, she is excited for the future and eager to jump straight into something new.
Hinting at what is to come, she teased that two Australian shows have been on the phone, and one in particular would be a dream for her to do.
Stephanie initially told fans she had been axed earlier this month as she took to Instagram to explain how show bosses had made the decision to axe her from the soap.
She said that she was given the option to reveal she quit in a bid to avoid public ’embarrassment’ of her being axed but insisted she wanted to be honest with her fans.
Posting a selection of snaps from her time on the show, she wrote: ‘I can’t believe I am writing this and I have taken the last two weeks to process and come to terms with the shock of what I am about to say.
‘I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks.
Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring was left ‘distraught’ as her character is AXED from the soap after 28 years as producers amid huge cast cull
She said: ‘They got to the end and said “And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show”. I just kept saying “I don’t understand”. I was very distraught, I didn’t take it well – I was probably the most dramatic person they told.’
‘As an actress obviously I understand there are no jobs for life but with my 28 years on the show I hoped that Cindy would survive the exciting revamp and continue into its new era, especially as I began playing her in 1996, making me the only original cast member remaining to be included in the cast cull, which I can only describe as gutting.
‘I was given the chance to say I had chosen to quit the show to spare me any embarrassment of revealing that I’ve been axed, which was very kind but I don’t want to lie to the fans who have followed Cindy’s journey for nearly 3 decades as I believe they know she nor I would ever have left the show by choice, Hollyoaks is in my blood and I have loved every minute of walking in Cindy’s heels.
‘I would like to add that I totally understand all shows evolve, so whilst I cannot hide my devastation I can only express my gratitude for my time on the show and respect the producers decision with no anger just sadness.
‘I will relish every last scene I have left to play with the gift of a role that is Cindy Cunningham. I don’t know how or why she exits yet but I have been assured I’m not being killed off, which I’m thankful for as in soap land anything can happen so I’d like to think we’ll see her again but who knows.
‘On a personal note, whilst I currently can’t imagine a life away from my Hollyoaks family or being Cindy, who will always remain a part of me, I know that on my last day I’ll walk out with my head held high, even if my mascara is still running! Love Steph’.
