A veteran star of the long-running Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks has decided to leave the show, bringing an end to a remarkable twenty-year tenure. James Sutton, famed for his portrayal of John Paul McQueen, has already completed filming his final episodes, which are scheduled to air this spring.
An Emotional Farewell After Two Decades
News of Sutton's departure initially emerged in September, with confirmation now that his last scenes are in the can. A show insider described the filming of his exit as an incredibly emotional day for the cast and crew, noting that the actor is a much-loved member of the Hollyoaks family. The source promised fans that his departure will be anything but quiet, teasing an 'explosive exit' for the beloved character.
Sutton first joined the Chester-based soap in 2006 and quickly became central to some of its most major and memorable plots. After a stint playing Ryan Lamb in Emmerdale, he returned to Hollyoaks in 2011, solidifying John Paul McQueen as a fixture of the show. His recent storyline saw his character become engaged to secret serial killer Jez Blake, played by Jeremy Sheffield.
New Ventures and Personal Transformation
The actor's decision to step back coincides with him launching a new business venture: a self-improvement guide aimed at men. At 42, Sutton has reportedly been planning to scale back his acting work to focus on this project. Insiders suggest he has 'had an eye on a new career' after successfully revamping his own fitness and mental health in recent years.
This personal overhaul was visible to fans when he shared an impressive body transformation on social media. The change followed his split from ex-girlfriend Tamara Jane last year, a breakup he confirmed on the All Out with Jon Dean podcast, stating he was 'newly single, and definitely not ready to mingle.'
Regarding his significant career shift, Sutton has admitted to making huge decisions that would have previously terrified him, calling them the kind that make 'your friends and family look at you like your completely f**k*g insane.' However, sources close to the actor stress this is not a permanent goodbye to acting, but rather a move to ensure it is no longer his sole focus.
Meanwhile, Another James Makes a Dramatic Return
As one James leaves, another makes a shocking comeback. In a separate Hollyoaks storyline, character James Nightingale, played by Greg Finnegan, has returned from the dead after being seemingly killed in a car bomb last year. His resurrection was revealed during the show's 30th-anniversary episodes in October.
He is now set for a dramatic reunion with his husband, Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), who has been grieving his loss. The actors have hailed the upcoming scenes as a major moment for fans. Richardson noted the complexity of Ste dealing with the shock while having navigated grief and family trauma. Finnegan added, 'The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally upon us', expressing excitement for viewers to see what the future holds for the tumultuous couple.
Hollyoaks is available to stream from 7am Monday to Wednesday on Channel 4, or watch live on E4 at 7pm.
