A major soap exit is on the way – as Hollyoaks' John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) has reportedly filmed his final scenes after two decades in the role.
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The character first arrived in September 2006, and has been at the centre of several huge storylines during that time – from his highly-acclaimed relationship with Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) to his addiction battle and discovering that trans headteacher Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) was his estranged parent.
Upcoming scenes will see him struggle at work when wayward Ant Hutchinson (Brook Debio) causes yet another incident, and he's forced to call in the police. This leads to him to attend an addiction support group, where he opens up about his past domestic abuse at the hands of PC George Kiss (Callum Kerr).
A source has told The Sun that Sutton's exit will be "explosive", in true Hollyoaks fashion.
James Sutton (left) is leaving after two decades. Lime Pictures
“[Sutton has] been a huge part of the show for the last 20 years and everyone is sad to see him go. But these things happen and it’s going to be an explosive exit," they explained.
RadioTimes.com has contacted a Hollyoaks spokesperson for comment.
This isn't the first time that Sutton has exited the Channel 4 soap. He initially departed in 2008, taking a four year break in which he portrayed Ryan Lamb in Emmerdale.
The character is tipped for an "explosive" exit. Lime Pictures
After a five year stint, he took another two year break before returning for guest appearances in 2019 and a full time return the following year.
The actor is set to continue with his podcast, Male Mind Matters, and focus on his self-improvement guru business.
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
