Hollyoaks star Gregory Finnegan adds fuel to exit rumours as he reveals secret side project
HOLLYOAKS actor Gregory Finnegan has sparked rumours that he could be leaving the soap after revealing his brand new side hustle.
The Channel 4 star has left his fans panicking that he could be one of the 20 cast members who have been given the boot from the programme amid the programme's cast cull.
So far, a number of actors have either been axed by programme bosses or have chosen to leave after the soap shifted from five episodes a week to just three.
Now, James Nightingale star Gregory has prompted speculation that he is next to follow suit.
In a brand new Instagram post, he spoke all about his side hustle away from the show.
Gregory has written a book entitled The World According to Grog! which is due for release in just over a month's time.
Read More on Hollyoaks
Teasing what fans could expect from the book, he teased: "Funny stories & tall tales, heroes & villains, secrets & lies…!
"The book covers everything from Hollyoaks, relationships, auditions, much much more…!"
The autobiographical book documents Gregory's time on the soap opera as well as the star vowing to spill his real thoughts on some of his co-stars.
Speaking in a video to accompany the book's launch, the actor said: "So if you've ever wondered what it's like to work on a soap, what I think about the people I work with, how I got the job and many other funny things besides, you need a copy of this book."
Earlier in the clip, he attempted to dispel theory that his "big announcement" was him walking away from the show for good as he said: "For those of you who got in touch with me over the past 24 hours asking if I was about to announce that I'm leaving Hollyoaks, that is not the announcement."
However, this did little to console some fans who were still left worrying that a soap exit was imminent.
One said: "I hope you don't leave Hollyoaks I love James."
Another then asked: "Are you leaving Hollyoaks?"
A third seemed uncertain on his reassurance as they penned: "Well done you and I'm keeping fingers crossed you stay on Hollyoaks. But if not; sure you'll be fab I whatever you do."
As another person asked him to clarify if he "had left", Gregory revealed he was still currently filming on the soap but hinted his future wasn't sealed.
The actor said: "James still going strong… for now anyway, this is soap after all!"
A slew of popular stars from Hollyoaks have left in recent weeks including Owen Warner, Jamelia, Jamie Lomas and Stephanie Waring.
Amid falling ratings and budget cuts, as well as channel shake-ups, the soap was forced to go from five to three episodes a week which resulted in the programme being forced to ditch a large proportion of its cast.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn't have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was "hell on earth."
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah's eating disorder storyline was the first of it's kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico's main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap's resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 - when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC's series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
