“I’m really gonna miss these people.”
Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring has shared an emotional update ahead of her exit from the soap.
Waring, who has been playing Cindy Cunningham since 1996, is the only original cast member who has been axed from the soap amidst the recent job cuts. The Channel 4 series will see the number of weekly episodes reduced from five to three, with cast being reduced as a result.
Taking to her Instagram, Waring posted a video in which she teared up after having to say goodbye to some crew members she got close to during her time on the soap.
“Today I had to say goodbye to some crew members who I have been working with for the last 16 years and known for the last 28 years,” she says in the clip.
“I’m really gonna miss these people,” she said.
“I’m really gonna miss everyone and it’s just getting closer now,” she continued, adding she’s got “a few more weeks” before leaving Hollyoaks behind.
Some of her Hollyoaks co-stars shared sweet messages after seeing the video, with Ross Adams, who plays Scott Drinkwell, writing: “You’re going to fly.”
“I know babe, I’m so excited for what’s next it’s just the realisation today of ‘oh shit this is it with you’ and then the goodbye,” Waring replied.
Adams, who recently confirmed he’s leaving the show to pursue other endeavours, added: “I know. But as one door closes another opens and I firmly believe that. Keep your chin up. You’ll always be a soap icon. It’s time for the next chapter.”
Waring said she’s going to take “the soap icon title”, while Hollyoaks’ Chelsee Healey and Tamara Wall also shared messages of support for her.
In April this year, Waring announced her departure from the soap, saying it hadn’t been her decision and voicing her heartbreak at leaving the show.
“I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks,” she wrote.
“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.”
Waring also explained she was given the chance to say she’d decided to quit, but preferred sharing the truth with her fans and followers.
Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
