Steph Waring has been pictured back on the set of Hollyoaks, seemingly confirming the explosive return of her character Cindy Cunningham to the village. The Channel 4 soap legend was seen clutching her script at Lime Pictures studios in Liverpool, beginning filming for her comeback two years after her departure.
Steph Waring's Return to Hollyoaks
Waring, wearing a loose blue shirt, baggy denim jeans, and a dark denim jacket, looked as if she had never left as she got back into the swing of things. Sporting her trademark blonde locks, the actress is well and truly in Cindy mode, and fans won't have long to wait to see the popular character back on screens.
Cindy's Last Appearance in 2024
Cindy was last seen on screen in September 2024 when she decided to bid farewell to the village for a fresh start following the tragic death of her daughter, Ella Richardson. Fans were shocked when it was announced that Cindy was being written out of the show and that Waring was leaving after 28 years.
Waring's Emotional Exit
Waring has since been open about her sadness at leaving when the show had its episodes and budgets reduced two years ago. Announcing her exit, she said: "I can't believe I am writing this and I have taken the last two weeks to process and come to terms with the shock of what I am about to say. I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks."
Reflecting on her last day of filming, she wrote: "Today I had to say goodbye to some crew members I have been working with for the last 16 years. And known for the last 28 years. And it just hit me like a thunderbolt. I'm really going to miss these people. I'm just gonna go another way."
Cindy's Iconic Storylines
Cindy has been at the centre of some of Hollyoaks' most explosive storylines, from falling pregnant at age 15 to becoming one of the first soap characters to fully represent awareness of bipolar disorder. Fans will have to wait to see what Cindy has been up to since her departure, but one thing is certain: trouble is never far behind her.
Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm, with first-look episodes available to stream on Channel 4 from 7am.
