Hollyoaks fans are in for a treat as one of the show's longest-serving characters, Cindy Cunningham, is set to make a dramatic return. Stephanie Waring, who has played the role for nearly three decades, was among the 20 cast members axed last year when Channel 4 reduced the soap's output from five half-hour episodes to three 20-minute instalments per week. The downsizing led to 130 redundancies, including Waring's shock departure.
Now, Metro has confirmed that Waring will be returning full-time, with a source saying: 'Steph leaving was easily the biggest shock of the cast cuts, after all, she has been there since day one. Fans have long hoped that she would one day be back.' The source added that the cast and crew are thrilled to have her back and that there is a lot planned for Cindy.
Waring was open about her pain at being axed, taking to Instagram to share her heartbreak. She revealed she was offered the chance to say she quit but chose to be honest with fans, stating: 'Hollyoaks is in my blood and I have loved every minute of walking in Cindy's heels.' Her return follows that of James Nightingale, who also came back from the dead after a car bombing storyline.
Cindy's exit saw her discover that her fiancé, a loveable delivery driver, was actually a historic hitman. Her comeback is expected to be a major storyline, with the show promising to keep Cindy at the centre of the action.
