Stephanie Waring has announced that her character Cindy Cunningham has been fired from Hollyoaks after 28 years.
The actress, 46, told fans on social media she was “heartbroken” after being told her long-running role was being axed as part of cuts made to the cash-strapped soap.
On Instagram, Stephanie explained how the show’s bosses had made the decision to remove her from the soap opera and told her two weeks ago.
She said she was given the option to reveal she quit in a bid to avoid the public “embarrassment” of being fired, but insisted she wanted to be honest with her fans.
Sharing a highlight video of her 28 years in the role accompanied by Lady Gaga’s ballad Always Remember Us This Way, Stephanie wrote: ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this and I’ve taken the last two weeks to process and come to terms with the shock of what I’m about to say.’
Stephanie Waring has announced that her character Cindy Cunningham has been fired from Hollyoaks after 28 years.
The actress, 45, told fans on social media she was “heartbroken” after being told her long-running role was being scrapped as part of cuts made to the cash-strapped soap.
“It pains my heart to announce that my character Cindy has been included in the actors’ version of Hollyoaks.”
She noted that she is the only original cast member included in ‘the cast cull’:
“As an actress, I obviously understand that there are no jobs for life, but with my 28 years on the show I hoped that Cindy would survive the exciting renewal and continue into her new era, especially since I started playing her in 1996, which made me in the only The original cast member left to be included in the casting selection, which I can only describe as gutting.
“I was given the opportunity to say that I had chosen to leave the show to save myself the embarrassment of revealing that I had been fired, which was very kind, but I don’t want to lie to the fans who have followed Cindy’s journey for almost 3 decades, like I think you know, neither she nor I would have left the show by choice, Hollyoaks is in my blood and I have loved every minute of walking on Cindy’s heels.
“I would like to add that I fully understand that all shows evolve, so while I can’t hide my devastation, I can only express my gratitude for my time on the show and respect the producers’ decision without anger, only sadness.”
Stephanie went on to say that she doesn’t know the story of her exit yet, but she has been told that Cindy will not be killed.
“I will enjoy every last scene I have left to play with the gift of a role that is Cindy Cunningham,” the actress wrote. “I don’t know how or why it’s coming out yet, but they’ve assured me that they’re not going to kill me, which I’m grateful for, since in the land of soap anything can happen, so I’d like to think we’ll see it.” again, but who knows.’
“On a personal note, while I currently can’t imagine a life away from my Hollyoaks family or being Cindy, who will always be a part of me, I know that on my last day I will walk out with my head held high. Even if my mascara is still smeared! !
On Instagram, Stephanie explained how the show’s bosses had made the decision to fire her from the soap and told her two weeks ago.
She said she was given the option to reveal she resigned in a bid to avoid public “embarrassment” over her dismissal, but insisted she wanted to be honest with her fans.
He noted that she is the only member of the original cast included in ‘the cast cull’
Stephanie made her debut as Cindy in 1996 after replacing fellow actress Laura Crossley in the role.
He left the soap opera in 2000, before returning from 2002 to 2004 and then permanently in 2008.
Stephanie held the honor of the show’s longest-serving female character, dating back to 2017 after 21 years on the show.
During her time on the soap, Cindy has been at the center of numerous explosive storylines, from being a teenage mother to becoming a millionaire when her wealthy husband died under mysterious circumstances.
He has walked down the aisle with a whopping five fives, twice to iconic character Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), as well as committing bigamy.
He tried to kill the murderous Doctor Browning (Joseph Thompson), ran over Anna Green (Lisa M. Kay) and also tried to suffocate his young daughter Holly in the midst of a battle with postpartum depression.
Most recently, she helped care for her fiancé Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) after he developed early-onset dementia before passing away in 2022.
Last month it was reported that bosses had decided to sack twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.
Stephanie made her debut as Cindy in 1996 after replacing fellow actress Laura Crossley (pictured) in the role.
Stephanie portrayed as Cindy in 2000
During her time on the soap, Cindy has been at the center of numerous explosive storylines, from being a teenage mother to becoming a millionaire when her wealthy husband (played by Terence Harvey) died under mysterious circumstances (pictured in 2010).
She walked down the aisle with a whopping five fives, twice towards iconic character Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard, pictured), as well as committing bigamy (pictured in 2012).
Cindy (R) attempted to kill murderer Doctor Browning (Joseph Thompson), ran over Anna Green (Lisa M. Kay) and also attempted to suffocate her young daughter Holly amid a battle with postpartum depression (pictured with co-star Claire Cooper (L) as Jacqui McQueen)
Most recently, she helped care for her fiancé Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) after he developed early-onset dementia before passing away in 2022.
Sun reported that the writers came up with a strange plan to “time jump” the show one year, which will move forward 20 characters of the soap opera permanently.
A source told the publication: “Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is stunning and devastating news for soapland.”
‘In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shocking stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. But the days of soaps having a big cast with a devastating gimmick are long gone, especially in Hollyoaks, where the budget has been slashed.
“The time jump is a way for Hollyoaks to say goodbye to the characters that need to go and give fans closure, 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, which produces the soap opera for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to raise their hands.
Ross Adams has also decided to leave Hollyoaks after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram update.
The writers have reportedly come up with a bizarre plan to “time jump” the show a year, which will move forward 20 characters from the soap permanently, featuring Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox, L) and Owen Warner (Romeo Nightingale, R) volunteers to leave
Ross Adams has also decided to leave Hollyoaks after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram update.
The actor, who has played Scott Drinkwell since 2015, revealed that while he was offered a new contract, the team was “going through a pretty tough time” and he felt it was best to leave.
His departure comes after Channel 4 bosses cut budgets and reduced the number of episodes.
The station announced that starting in September episodes will be reduced from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.
Channel 4 announced a round of job cuts on January 8 in a bid to tighten its budgets following a “sharp and prolonged advertising slowdown”.
A spokesperson said: ‘Channel 4 is a self-sustaining, fully commercially funded broadcaster, known for producing iconoclastic programs and generating huge value for the UK creative economy.
‘Like every organisation, we face an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to become a fully digital public service broadcaster in the long term.
“As a result, we must continue to divest our linear channel business and simplify our operations to become a more efficient organization.”