Daily Mail: Hollyoaks actor quits soap after nine years amid Channel 4 budget cuts

Story from Daily Mail:

Ross Adams has quit Hollyoaks after after nine years one the soap, he revealed in an update on Sunday.

The actor, who has starred as Scott Drinkwell since 2015, revealed that while he was offered a new contract the crew were 'having a pretty rough time' and he felt it best to leave.

His departure comes after Channel 4 bosses cut budgets and slashed the number of episodes.

The broadcaster announced that from September episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.

Lime Pictures, who make the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to stick their hands up.

Sharing an update to Instagram Ross said he wished to 'try other things and more challenging roles.'

Alongside a photo of his first and last day on set, he 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.

'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.'

Ross added in an interview with Metro.co.uk: 'Hollyoaks were kind enough to offer me another contract, but last year I did a documentary about adoption and I really enjoyed doing that.'

He continued: 'After playing Scott for so long, you do get comfortable. I’d have happily stayed there forever but I think sometimes you have to push yourself.'

Revealing his character will not be killed off, the actor explained: 'I feel like he’s had a really rough ride and I don’t know what my exit is going to be but I just hope he has a happy ending. It’s all he’s ever wanted and he’s never quite got there.'

Last week it was announced Jamie Lomas, who portrays gangster Warren Fox in the soap, has reportedly told bosses he will be leaving later this year.

Actor Jamie, 48, has decided it is time for him to leave when his current contract ends later this year.

A source told The Sun: 'Jamie has been at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines and has been back in Hollyoaks now for nearly eight years which is a long time.

'It’s been a long stint which he has loved but with all the changes going on he felt the time was right to move on.

'He told bosses last week and they are already working on his exit storyline. The door will be left open and it is hoped he’ll be back again as Warren Fox on day.'

Jamie is currently involved in a twin baby storyline with Jennifer Metcalfe and Richard Blackwood in a soap first.

Mercedes slept with both Jamie’s character Warren and Richard’s character Felix, falling pregnant with twins.

It was recently discovered that both of the men were fathers with each being the biological father of one twin.

Jamie was previous nominated for Villain of the Year and Best Actor at the British Soap Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2017.

Channel 4 announced a round of job cuts on January 8 in a bid to tighten its budgets in the wake of a 'sharp and protracted advertising slowdown'.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: 'Channel 4 is a wholly commercially funded and self-reliant broadcaster known for producing iconoclastic programmes and generating enormous value for the UK creative economy.

'Like every organisation, we are having to deal with an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to become a wholly digital public service broadcaster in the long term.

'As a result, we need to continue to divest from our linear channels business and simplify our operations to become a leaner