The winds of change continue to blow in Hollyoaks as another cast member has announced their departure.
Following the announcements that views will be bidding farewell to a number of characters, actress Lacey Findlow has announced her departure as Hutchinson ‘triplet’, Dee Dee Hutchinson, and her final scenes air next week.
Young star Lacey has played Dee Dee since 2017.
Taking to Instagram, Lacey announced the news that she’d be stepping down from her role: ‘Next week will be the End of My Hollyoaks Era
‘What started as a six-month role turned into an unforgettable eight-year journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
‘Dee Dee Hutchinson, it’s been a joy bringing you to life – from your very first line, “more pink”, to your final one, “NDA until the episode airs”. Thank you for the laughter, the friendships, the lessons, the encouragement and the overall experience.’
Lacey went on to list a number of her fellow cast members and behind the scenes figures, thanking them for being a part of her journey, including former executive producer Bryan Kirkwood for trusting her to portray Dee Dee’s autoimmune encephalitis storyline and putting her forward for ‘Best Young Performer’ at the British Soap awards.
She also thanked her on-screen family, declaring ‘Team Hutch/Drinkwell forever’.
‘And of course, thank you to the amazing hair & makeup, wardrobe, kitchen staff, crew, and cast who’ve all played a part in my journey.’
‘I’ll truly miss driving through the Childwall gates and stepping onto those iconic Hollyoaks sets.
‘But all incredible journeys must come to an end and I am forever grateful for how long this one lasted.
‘I leave with a heart full of gratitude and memories I’ll cherish forever. Thank you, Hollyoaks’.
Back in July, Lacey celebrated the anniversary of her initial audition that secured her the role of Dee Dee, sharing adorable then-and-now snaps of her posing next to the Hollyoaks sign.
‘On this day 8 years ago a little girl with bags of confidence went for an amazing audition at Lime pictures to play the role of a little girl named Dee Dee Hutchinson on Hollyoaks‘ she captioned it.
While actually the product of a secret affair between notorious mob boss Fraser Black (Jesse Birdsall) and Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis), Dee Dee has been raised by Tony (Nick Pickard) and Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher).
The swap occurred due to the negligence of a drunk nurse, Mariam Andrews (Helen Lederer).
After much turmoil when the swap was discovered, Diane and Tegan, agreed to continue raising the children they had initially taken home and formed relationships with, though, upon Tegan’s death, Diane took custody of Dee Dee.
Upon Lacey’s casting, the character became the focus of a medical storyline when she was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, a serious neurological condition.
The hard-hitting story saw Dee Dee placed in a medically induced coma to manage her seizures, while the diagnosis saw wider repercussions for the Hutchinson’s, as adoptive dad Tony left the village, unable to cope with the stress of the situation.
Lacey’s departure comes amid a wave of change among the village populace.
Soap legend Rita Simons recently revealed that she’d filmed her final scenes as perennially troubled Marie Fielding, mother of currently-imprisoned Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed), deceased evil rapist Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) and teenage bully Arlo Fielding (Dan Hough).
‘Since Marie Fielding stepped into Hollyoaks village, she’s sufficiently messed up all her boys lives, Caused ALL the carnage and fallen off the wagon a few times…so her job here is done!,’ she said, announcing her exit.
Joining her on the road out of Chester will be village stalwart James Sutton, after (an on-and-off) 20 years as John Paul McQueen.
‘James has loved his time at Hollyoaks but he’s got other things that he wants to do,’ a source told the Sun.
‘John Paul is a big favourite with fans and bosses alike but it’s felt the time is right for him to say goodbye to the village.’
Perhaps most shockingly, the ultimate ‘Oaks villain (and Dee Dee’s half sister) Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) will be departing the show.
The devilish femme fatale will leave amid the 30th anniversary celebrations, after making a jaw-dropping return from the dead just months ago.
‘Gemma has absolutely loved being back but a character like Clare can never stick around for too long, given everything she’s done,’ said a source.
‘There’s a lot more to come before the final scenes air but it promises to be an exhilarating ending.
‘Fans may be disappointed to hear that she is going so soon but it also is likely to come as little of a surprise given the nature of the character and the storyline.
‘Her comeback has proven to be a real success and a pivotal part of the build-up to the 30th, and a real representation of what Hollyoaks does best when it comes to iconic characters.’
