Hollyoaks star QUITS struggling soap and admits they are ‘unemployed – less than a year after joining show
HOLLYOAKS star Iz Hesketh has confirmed they have quit the Channel 4 soap.
The soap favourite, 26, revealed they are now are now ‘unemployed’ and ‘looking for work’ - less than a year after joining the show.
In a mass cull of the soap’s characters due to recent budget cuts, Iz is the latest to confirm their exit.
The popular star, who joined the show as mysterious newcomer Kitty Draper earlier this year, announced the news on Instagram today.
Iz wrote: “ London friends. I’m back as of tomorrow till just before I go for surgery early October.
"So if anyone wants to catch up or do anything, I’m very much unemployed and free for the foreseeable so hmu.”
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Iz, who identifies as Trans non-binary, then put out a plea as they attempt to find a new job following news of their shock exit.
Iz added: “ Equally if anyone needs someone for any gigs, in or out of drag, I am ready and available.”
Confirmation of Iz’s exit comes weeks after The Sun revealed how the soap star had sparked fear among fans that they were set to be included in the list of 20 cast members set to be axed in the coming weeks and months.
Iz had become a firm favourite with fans since joining the show back in January.
Just last month, Iz was crowned Best Newcomer at the Radio Times Soap Awards.
They have also been nominated for Best Newcomer at next month’s Inside Soap Awards.
In June The Sun exclusively revealed that Emma Rigby has resigned from the Channel 4 soap less than a year after her high profile return.
The actress - who plays Hannah Ashworth in the streaming soap - is said to have walked away over changes to the show.
She originally starred as Hannah between 2005 until 2010 and had huge storylines like her eating disorder and doomed relationship with John Paul McQueen.
But since then budget cuts at the corporation has seen the episode order slashed to just three 20 minute episodes per week and a mass cull of cast and crew.
It will even now feature a dramatic year-long time jump in September to explain the huge changes to the cast and relaunch the show as a three-nights a week soap.
The show has been plunged into a fresh crisis as it recovers from a series of scandals over the last few years.
An insider added: “There’s a worry other high profile cast members may see this as an opportunity to leave the show.
“While they’re all very supportive of the soap, the reduced budget and seeing friends and colleagues leave after so many years takes its toll.
“If more go willingly then it may be that the writing is very much on the wall for the show. It will be hard to recover from further blows.”
The Sun previously told how big names Jamie Lomas, who plays Warren Fox, and Owen Warner, the show’s Romeo Nightingale, have already volunteered to leave.
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In March Steph Waring revealed her devastation after it was revealed she had been axed after playing Cindy Cunningham for 28 years.
Steph was delivered the huge blow from show chiefs with the star admitting she was given the option to reveal she quit in a bid to avoid public "embarrassment" of her being axed after such a lengthy stint.
