Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring announces axing from soap

Actress Stephanie Waring has announced that she has been axed from Hollyoaks after more than two decades in the role of Cindy Cunningham.

In an emotional post on Instagram, Waring confirmed that she will soon no longer be a part of the show after her character was included in an ongoing cast cull.

“I can’t believe I am writing this and I have taken the last two weeks to process and come to terms with the shock of what I am about to say. I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks.

“As an actress obviously I understand there are no jobs for life but with my 28 years on the show I hoped that Cindy would survive the exciting revamp and continue into its new era, especially as I began playing her in 1996, making me the only original cast member remaining to be included in the cast cull, which I can only describe as gutting.

“I was given the chance to say I had chosen to quit the show to spare me any embarrassment of revealing that I’ve been axed, which was very kind but I don’t want to lie to the fans who have followed Cindy’s journey for nearly 3 decades as I believe they know she nor I would ever have left the show by choice, Hollyoaks is in my blood and I have loved every minute of walking in Cindy’s heels.”

Not going quietly: Stephanie Waring’s Hollyoaks departure has similarities to Noele Gordon’s departure from ATV after 26-years. Noele refused to say she’d quit Crossroads which led to a tabloid storm over her sacking

The struggling soap is being forced to make cutbacks to its personnel after Channel 4 bosses slashed its output from five to three episodes per week.

Waring initially took on the role of Cindy in 1996, succeeding Laura Crossley. Although she left the show in 2000, she made brief returns in 2002 and 2004 before making a full-time comeback in 2008.

The character’s storylines have included teenage pregnancy, multiple marriages and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Hollyoaks currently airs Monday-Friday at 7pm on E4 with first look episodes on Channel 4 streaming.

Early days: The Cunningham family were seen from episode one in 1995. Gordon (Bernard Latham) and his ex-wife Angela (Liz Stooke), their children: Dawn (Lisa Williamson), Jude (Davinia Taylor), Cindy (Hayley Fairclough/Laura Crossley/Stephanie Waring) and Max (Ben Sheriff/Matt Littler).