SHOCK EXIT
Hollyoaks star reveals he’s QUIT C4 soap after nine years on screen – and has already filmed final scenes
His departure is the latest in a string of cast exits to hit Hollyoaks.
HOLLYOAKS fans have been dealt a fresh new blow after another star revealed he is quitting.
Ross Adams, 41, is best known for playing Scott Drinkwell in the soap but is walking away after nine years.
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Viewers will be gutted to learn of his departure but Ross has decided it is time to try his hand at new acting roles.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Ross posted a series of snaps from the show and 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."
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He continued: "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."
His exit comes hot on the heels of several other Hollyoaks stars, who have also announced they are off.
A source exclusively tells The Sun: "Ross has decided it's time to move on and explore pastures new.
"He has loved his time on the show but after almost a decade, he wants to take on some new challenges and different roles."
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Ross joined the cast of Hollyoaks in April 2015 and his character Scott was billed as the cousin of Sinead O'Connor (played by Stephanie Davis) and nephew to Diane O'Connor (Alex Fletcher).
Openly-gay, camp and troublesome, Scott has had a long list of dramatic storylines over the last nine years.
He has poisoned Diane, lied about having HIV and was tricked into kidnapping Rose Lomax.
Scott also discovered he was adopted but, arguably, his biggest storyline to date involved a suicide attempt.
Hollyoaks' Scott lies to the cops and gives Mitchell a false alibi
In 2017, following a battle with depression, the character tried to take his own life and ended up in a coma.
Ross's handling of the powerful and sensitive storyline led to him winning Best Male Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards 2018.
Behind-the-scenes, he is also extremely popular with the cast and crew and enjoyed a star-studded wedding when he married his husband Philip Crusham.
Sadly for fans, Ross is just the latest in a string of stars who have quit Hollyoaks after budgets on the long-running soap were slashed.
Last week, The Sun revealed that Jamie Lomas - who plays gangster Warren Fox - has said he will be leaving the show later this year.
The actor made the decision to go after bosses announced that the number of weekly episodes will be cut from five to three in September. This will result in the loss of 135 jobs.
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Lime Pictures, who make the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to volunteer.
Jamie, 48, decided it was his time and told his bosses that he will be leaving at the end of his current contract.
Last month, Haiesha Mistry was also seen leaving Hollyoaks after seven years.
The actress, who played Yazz Cunningham, said at the time: "Being part of the Hollyoaks family is something I will cherish forever but as the saying goes, all good things have to come to an end."
And in January, Owen Warner also announced he was quitting.
Owen has played Romeo Nightingale for six years and was seen bowing out of the C4 show last week on horseback.
His character had made an escape from prison after confessing to the murder of his abusive girlfriend Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan).
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Owen exclusively told The Sun: “I’ve done Hollyoaks years now and when I first started acting I’d do plays and short films and I’d pick the craziest characters to play and I love playing a wide assortment of characters.
“And while I’ve loved playing Romeo, I’ve played the same character for a long time now so it’d be nice to play some different people. Just put myself in some different shoes and do all sorts like that.”
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