Sarah Jayne Dunn reveals new pole-dancing career move after Hollyoaks axe

Sarah Jayne Dunn has taken on a new career (Picture: FARRELL / BACKGRID)

Former Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn, 43, has revealed her latest career move in an empowering Instagram post.

The actress was axed from her role as Mandy Richardson in the Channel 4 soap in 2021 after refusing to close down her OnlyFans account – something she has since revealed she has ‘no regrets’ about.

Having joined the show in 1996, Sarah Jayne was involved in some huge storylines over the years, including ones that saw Mandy report her father for rape, deal with the deaths of her family members and give birth prematurely.

Now, she has added a new string to her bow by becoming a pole-dancing teacher.

‘Today’s the day… my very first pole class as the TEACHER,’ she wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of her upside down on a pole.

‘Feeling the full spectrum… excitement, nerves, pride! This isn’t just movement, it’s embodiment, empowerment, expression, and deep inner power in motion.

Sarah Jayne started pole dancing three years ago (Picture: Instagram/Sarah Jayne Dunn) Sarah Jayne played Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks on and off from 1996 until 2021 (Picture: MERSEY TELEVISION COMPANY)

‘Here’s to new chapters and showing up fully for myself!’

More recently, she shared a video showcasing some of her highlights from pole dancing classes, alongside a lengthy caption.

‘Just shy of 3 years ago, I walked into my first proper pole class—and from the very first spin, I was hooked,’ she wrote.

‘Since then, pole has become so much more than a hobby. It’s a passion, a discipline, an art form. It’s graceful, fierce, feminine, powerful, sexy—and unapologetically mine.’

Despite her positivity toward the sport, Sarah recognised the stigma surrounding it, adding that it ‘breaks her heart’.

Sarah is now a pole-dance teacher (Picture: Instagram/Sarah Jayne Dunn)

‘It breaks my heart that there’s still a stigma around pole. That some feel they have to keep their love for it quiet. Because honestly? It’s changed my life.

‘It’s challenged me, empowered me, and skyrocketed my confidence. And now, having just started my teaching journey, I’m ready to pour all that love and knowledge into helping others begin their pole journey.’

Fellow Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, who plays Theresa McQueen, was quick to show her support for the star’s new career, writing in the comments: ‘This is mega!’

Emmerdale turned Coronation Street star Natalie Anderson was also impressed, simply writing, ‘Wow!’ alongside a heart eyes and flame emoji.