Hollyoaks is to lose two of its current cast at the end of this year, Digital Spy can reveal.
Jennifer Biddall – who plays Jessica Harris in the Channel 4 soap – will bow out of the show in a dramatic twist in the New Year after her character embarks on an unlikely partnership with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).
Meanwhile, Sarah Jane Buckley is also leaving her Hollyoaks' counterpart behind when Kathy Barnes prepares to leave the village in an aptly bonkers storyline.
Speaking exclusively to DS, Producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "Jenny Biddall is in the pipeline to be leaving at the end of the year.
"She steps rather too readily into Zoe's shoes when Darren starts on his winning streak and they form a Bonnie and Clyde partnership which is very funny but she leaves in a dramatic twist in the New Year episode."
He continued: "Sarah-Jane Buckley will also be leaving the show in the coming months. There's a lot happening in with the Barmy Barnes and it's really exciting to give them ever-increasing bonkers storylines. So Kathy will be leaving in a bit of a bonkers story at the beginning of next year, too."
A source added: "Kathy's departure knocks mike for six but it's not long before he strikes up a relationship with one of the younger birds in the village."
Jennifer Biddall – who plays Jessica Harris in the Channel 4 soap – will bow out of the show in a dramatic twist in the New Year after her character embarks on an unlikely partnership with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).
Meanwhile, Sarah Jane Buckley is also leaving her Hollyoaks' counterpart behind when Kathy Barnes prepares to leave the village in an aptly bonkers storyline.
Speaking exclusively to DS, Producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "Jenny Biddall is in the pipeline to be leaving at the end of the year.
"She steps rather too readily into Zoe's shoes when Darren starts on his winning streak and they form a Bonnie and Clyde partnership which is very funny but she leaves in a dramatic twist in the New Year episode."
He continued: "Sarah-Jane Buckley will also be leaving the show in the coming months. There's a lot happening in with the Barmy Barnes and it's really exciting to give them ever-increasing bonkers storylines. So Kathy will be leaving in a bit of a bonkers story at the beginning of next year, too."
A source added: "Kathy's departure knocks mike for six but it's not long before he strikes up a relationship with one of the younger birds in the village."
Lydia, is also the editor of a music fanzine and strikes up a friendship with Josh, who is keen to write music reviews for her. Josh's girlfriend Amy certainly isn't too happy about Lydia and Josh's new friendship, but her mind is put to rest when Lydia reveals she is a lesbian!
Speaking of her character, Lydia Kelly told us: "She's very down to earth. She knows exactly what she wants, where she wants to go, and how to get there! She's also very level-headed."
On getting the part, Lydia said: "It was brilliant, when my agent said I'd got the part I didn't believe her."
We can't wait to see what chaos she'll bring to the village! You can see Lydia on screen from Wednesday 4 March.
Meanwhile, Hannah heads to the Loft to stop Justin from going through with Warren’s plan, but she gets caught in the crossfire. Will Hannah be able to take out Clare before she gets the best of Justin and Warren? Find out next week on Hollyoaks!
Rumours have been circulating that Jamie Lomas, who plays Warren, will be leaving in 2008. However, Lomas is contracted at least until the end of next year.
Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood told DS: "Jamie Lomas is definitely not leaving the show. Because of the nature of the character and the soap moral guidebook which states that all baddies must eventually have their comeuppance, Jamie and I speak on a very regular basis to check that we're going in the right direction with the character and that he and I are happy for Warren to continue."
He added: "He's brought a real heart to something that could have been a cardboard cutout villain and I hope he sticks around for a long time to come."
A source commented: "Warren's not being phased out – far from it. There's a huge storyline in 2008 which sees his past come back to haunt him in a way which he could never have imagined."
Just as the summer heat begins to rise over HOLLYOAKS Clare is back with a vengeance, her grudge against Warren (Jamie Lomas) and Justin, (Chris Fountain) too much for her to bear.
Never ones to be done over, will Warren and Justin find that someone finally has the upper hand over them? Will Clare's revenge plot have fatal consequences?
Gemma will return to Lime Pictures to begin filming next week and we can't wait to have her back and see Clare back on screen. We'll be catching up with the Gemma to bring you all the exclusive details of her return – don't miss it!