Hollyoaks exits aren’t over as another legend makes sad goodbye after 13 years

Leah has left after 13 years following a heartfelt goodbye with Ste (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (September 24) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on at 7pm.

After 13 years on our screens, Leah Barnes (Ela-May Demircan) has officially left the eponymous village.

The popular character, as viewers know, gave birth to a baby boy in the wake of the long-running show’s historic time jump.

Despite the residents of the village believing Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan) to be the dad, a controversial twist revealed that the father was actually Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass).

This means that Dillon cheated on Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) – the very same Lucas who he fought desperately to be with – and he did so with his boyfriend’s own sister!

Dillon was disappointed to learn that the baby would be staying in the village, with Leah having convinced dad Ste (Kieron Richardson) to look after him for her.

Tuesday’s offering of the Channel 4 serial saw Leah visit Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) at the court house, wishing her good luck ahead of JJ’s (Ryan Mulvey) trial, branding her the ‘bravest person she knows’.

Afterwards, she paid a visit to the hospital to see her dad one last time to say goodbye.

The character is going off to the US to study law but, before doing so, she revealing that she’s named her child James – in honour of stepdad James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), who devastatingly died in the stunt week.

No, I’m still not over it.

This marks the end of Leah’s journey on the show after 13 years.

Ste agreed to raise her baby (Picture: Lime Pictures)

It was confirmed earlier this year that star Ela-May would exit amid the cast changes as part of Hollyoaks’ move to three episodes a week.

It was reported that 20 characters would be written out to facilitate the changes, with Stephanie Waring – who has played Cindy Cunningham for almost three decades – confirming that her character was one of those to go.

Leah is heading off to America to study law (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Gregory Finnegan, who played James, subsequently confirmed that his iconic and beloved character was also axed by bosses.

With Leah’s departure having aired on screen, it seems the only one left to go is Ethan Williams (Matthew James Bailey). Metro confirmed earlier this year that the character – again, another very popular one with audiences – is set to exit.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

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