Jamelia has revealed the real reason behind her sudden exit from Hollyoaks, as the soap will ax twenty characters in a time-jump cast.
The singer, 42, joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 for a short time before returning last year.
But Jamelia, who stars in soap opera reality show Drama Queens, revealed that she decided to leave her new venture because she had been struggling to balance being a single mother of her four daughters with work.
Jamelia has been a single mother since her husband left her when she was pregnant in 2022.
“Hollyoaks was like a Band-Aid on a very deep wound,” she said on the latest episode of ITVBe’s Drama Queens. ‘But I know I’m not cured. I haven’t done the healing work that needs to be done. I can’t do it while focusing on such a demanding job on top of the more demanding job of being a mother of four.’
Jamelia revealed the real reason behind her sudden exit from Hollyoaks in the latest episode of Drama Queens on Tuesday, as the soap will ax twenty characters in a time-jump cast.
The singer, 42, joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 for a short time before returning last year.
He added: ‘I loved my time on Hollyoaks. Every second. But I know I’ve been blocking something and not dealing with a lot of things and I have to take that time.
‘They offered me another year. I really wanted to say yes because I loved it, but I know it wouldn’t be right for me right now.
‘I don’t know if I’m going to regret saying no. They left it open… they didn’t kill Sharon. Which I’m really grateful for.
But I need to take time for myself. I need to just stop, think and process. And I need to deal with all the things I haven’t dealt with.”
Drama Queens viewers will follow Jamelia through her journey through family life and her exit from Hollyoaks.
In March it was reported that bosses had decided to fire twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.
However, one of the twenty stars was accidentally Jamelia, after ITV published a synopsis of her new reality show, Drama Queens.
The reality show follows nine soap stars from Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street as they give soap fans a glimpse into their lives off camera.
Part of the synopsis for the reality show reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own well-being and that of her family over the glitter of Hollyoaks.’
But Jamelia, who stars in soap opera reality show Drama Queens, revealed that she decided to leave her new venture because she had been struggling to balance being a single mother of her four daughters with work.
Drama Queens viewers will follow Jamelia through her journey through family life and her exit from Hollyoaks.
Part of its synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own well-being and that of her family over the glitter of Hollyoaks.
“As she prepares to say goodbye to the show, we witness her emotional transition, packing her bags in the UK to start anew in Dubai, while cherishing her bond with her four daughters.”
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.
In March it was reported that bosses had decided to fire twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.
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 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.