Hollyoaks explains Mandy Richardson's off-screen exit

Hollyoaks has explained Mandy Richardson's off-screen exit, following Sarah Jayne Dunn leaving the soap.

Friday's (January 28) first-look episode saw Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Zara Morgan (Kelly Greenwood) breaking the news to pregnant Ella (Erin Palmer) that her mum had suddenly decided to leave for America for a new job.

"She didn't want to tell anyone in case we'd change her mind," Cindy explained. "She just hopes that you can forgive her and when we go and visit, she'll pay for the flights and a five-star hotel."

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With Ella naturally upset her mum wouldn't return for the birth of her grandchild, Cindy assured her: "Mandy might be gone but this is still your home and I just want you to know that I love you. We will always look after you."

Solemn scenes followed as Luke admitted to Zara that he is struggling with his feelings over Mandy leaving the village with his son DJ so abruptly.

"I've lost my son, haven't I?" Luke realised.

Sarah Jayne Dunn left Hollyoaks late last year when she refused to give up her subscription OnlyFans page in a disagreement with show bosses. The actress has since admitted her abrupt exit came as a surprise.

tony hutchinson, mandy richardson, luke morgan, cindy cunningham and darren osborne in hollyoaks

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"It's not something I did on a whim. It's something that I'd been planning for months and I'd had discussions, and Zoom calls, and emails, and I essentially had approval," she recently told OK!.

"So for them to then turn around and call me in for a meeting on the Friday, and then terminate my contract on the Wednesday with immediate effect was a huge shock," she continued.

"After 25 years on and off working there and giving my life and my all – I loved it there over the years, so it was upsetting. It was a shock that that was how they decided to handle it."

Hollyoaks airs new episodes from Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first-look screenings at 7pm on E4. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Amazon Prime Video.