Hollyoaks star Dawn Hope has officially put an end to speculation that she is leaving the Channel 4 soap. The 66-year-old actress, who joined the cast as Pearl Anderson in 2021, took to Instagram this week to address the false claims directly.
Dawn Hope Addresses Rumours on Instagram
In a video posted to her Instagram page, Dawn Hope confirmed that she is not departing Hollyoaks. She said: 'I love Hollyoaks. I'm hanging out with them, I'm looking forward to hanging out with them for longer.' The actress explained that her recent activities, including a workshop and an audition at The Lyric, had been misinterpreted as signs of an exit. 'Just because actors do workshops and…I've just done an audition at The Lyric today, love getting into a room without doing the self tape. It's great exercising your tool and just stretching and working on different projects. A workshop is not an exit from a contract you've already got,' she stated.
Dawn concluded: 'Hollyoaks is one of the best families I've ever worked with in the industry, and I'm going to hang out with them.'
Pearl Anderson's Journey on Hollyoaks
Dawn Hope's character Pearl Anderson has been a beloved figure on the soap since her debut in 2021. Pearl has navigated significant storylines, including a romance with partner Jack Osborne that hit a rough patch when Jack's granddaughter Frankie accused him of inappropriate touching. Pearl ended the relationship but later reconciled with Jack after the accusation was proven false. More recently, Pearl supported Zoe through her pregnancy and was there for Frankie when her brother's abuse was exposed. After Zoe and Sharon left the village, Pearl moved in with Jack, solidifying her place in the community.
Cast Changes and Upcoming Drama
The false exit rumours came as a shock to fans, especially given the recent cast changes at Hollyoaks. Last month, it was announced that actress Steph Waring is returning to the show as Cindy Cunningham. Ahead of the soap's dramatic summer, Metro visited the Hollyoaks set and spoke with cast members including Rebecca Ryan, Leo Cole, and Jamie Lomas, who all confirmed that viewers are in for a chaotic few weeks.
Dawn Hope's reassurance that she is staying will undoubtedly delight fans who have grown attached to Pearl Anderson. With her passion for the show and her commitment to the role, it seems Pearl will continue to be a fixture in the village for the foreseeable future.
