In a significant shake-up for the long-running E4 soap opera, Hollyoaks icon Alex Fletcher has reportedly decided to leave her role as Diane Hutchinson after an impressive 16-year tenure on the show. The actress, aged 49, who first joined the Cheshire-based programme in 2010, is said to have informed producers of her decision late last year, leaving them deeply disappointed.
A Beloved Character's Emotional Farewell
Showrunners are now developing what's described as an 'emotional' exit storyline for Fletcher's character, which will bring to a close her lengthy on-screen partnership with Nick Pickard, who portrays her husband Tony Hutchinson. A source close to the production revealed to The Sun newspaper that Fletcher's departure has hit the show hard, describing her as one of the programme's most popular figures both on and off camera.
'Alex is one of the show's most popular characters both on and off screen – everyone just adores her,' the insider explained. 'She has been at the heart of Hollyoaks alongside Nick for more than a decade and bosses are gutted she's leaving. But they are doing everything they can to come up with a memorable and fitting exit for her much-loved character.'
From Brookside to Hollyoaks Stardom
Fletcher initially rose to prominence playing Jacqui Dixon in Channel 4's rival soap Brookside before making the transition to Hollyoaks. Her departure marks the end of an era for the programme, which has seen her character become a central figure in numerous storylines over the past decade and a half.
Another High-Profile Departure
Fletcher's exit comes just weeks after reports emerged that Chelsee Healey, who has portrayed Goldie McQueen since 2016, is also stepping away from the soap permanently. Healey, aged 37, had previously taken maternity leave from the series in 2017 and 2024, but this departure represents a final farewell to the character.
According to sources, Healey hasn't held a full-time contract with the show for some time and has been pursuing other projects alongside her Hollyoaks commitments, including a role in the revived BBC school drama Waterloo Road. 'Chelsee has decided it's time to move on from Hollyoaks for good,' a source stated. 'She's been doing other stuff on the side for a while – like Waterloo Road – but she's taking the leap fully now. It's a new start for this year.'
Personal Developments Off-Screen
Healey's departure coincides with personal developments in her life, including her relationship with boyfriend Eddie Rainford, who was recently released early from prison after serving time for drug-related offences. The couple, who share a daughter named Cookie, were photographed together in Manchester following Rainford's release.
Manchester Crown Court had previously heard how Rainford was involved in what prosecutors described as a 'boutique' drug-dealing operation involving multiple varieties of cannabis. Despite these challenges, sources indicate that Healey remained committed to the relationship for the sake of their family.
Production Responses and Future Plans
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Hollyoaks and Chelsee Healey for official comment regarding these departures. Meanwhile, the show continues to evolve, with reports suggesting that former cast member Gemma Merna may be returning to reprise her role as Carmel McQueen, a character originally killed off in a dramatic train crash storyline.
These casting changes represent significant shifts for Hollyoaks as it navigates the challenges of maintaining audience engagement while refreshing its long-running character roster. The emotional exits being planned for both Fletcher and Healey's characters suggest producers are aiming to give these popular figures satisfying conclusions to their story arcs.
