A HOLLYOAKS legend has quit after nearly 20 years on the soap.
The actor has been one of the soap’s most prominent faces of its 30 year history is set to bow out in a shock plot next year.
The Hollyoaks legend will have spent two decades on the show
James Sutton has quit Hollyoaks and will film his final scenes next year
Actor James Sutton first played John Paul McQueen in 2006 and he’s been involved in some of the most memorable storylines of the show’s history.
But now The Sun can exclusively reveal that he will be leaving the soap next year in an explosive storyline.
A source said: “James has loved his time at but he’s got other things that he wants to do.
“John Paul is a big favourite with fans and bosses alike but it’s felt the time is right for him to say goodbye to the village.
“James has his eye on a new career away from acting with a self-improvement campaign for men like him.
“He’s really revamped his own life over the last few years with fitness and mental health transformations and he thinks he could help others do the same.
“It’s not a goodbye to acting but it’s not going to be the only thing he does now.”
Hollyoaks has been approached for comment.
The show will celebrate its 30th anniversary next month with a huge month of celebrations as well as a trademark stunt.
Show boss Hannah Cheers told us: “You can’t do a Hollyoaks commemoration without some kind of spectacle.
“So there will be a stunt.”
And more than that Hannah also revealed a huge battle between two Hollyoaks titans will take centre stage for October.
Having recently returned from the dead to the village after 12 years, Clare Devine is back and she’s set to clash against serial killer Jez Blake in the run up to the big anniversary.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy .
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in , The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, , Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 , taking over from Ruby Rose.
“Well, yes, obviously we’ve got two kind of Hollyoaks titans here,” Hannah added.
“We’ve got kind of very iconic Hollyoaks faces. And it’s not an accident that they are both in the show in the run up to the 30th anniversary.”
