Hollyoaks legend quits soap after Channel 4 slashes episodes and budget

A MAJOR Hollyoaks star has become the first big name to quit the soap after Channel 4 announced it was slashing episodes and budgets.

Actor Jamie Lomas - who plays gangster Warren Fox in the long-running soap - has told bosses he will be leaving the show later this year, The Sun can exclusively reveal.

The actor made the decision to leave after bosses announced that from September episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.

Lime Pictures, who make the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to stick their hands up. 

Jamie,48, decided it was time for him to go and told his bosses last week that he will be leaving at the end of his current contract. 

A source said: “Jamie has been at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines and has been back in Hollyoaks now for nearly eight years which is a long time. 

“It’s been a long stint which he has loved but with all the changes going on he felt the time was right to move on. 

“He told bosses last week and they are already working on his exit storyline. 

“The door will be left open and it is hoped he’ll be back again as Warren Fox on day.”

Jamie is currently involved in a twin baby storyline with Jennifer Metcalfe and Richard Blackwood in a soap first.

Mercedes slept with both Jamie’s character Warren and Richard’s character Felix, falling pregnant with twins.

It was recently discovered that both of the men were fathers with each being the biological father of one twin.

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The plot is part of a raft of new storylines introduced by new executive producer Hannah Cheers as she battles to put the soap back on top.

A Hollyoaks spokeswoman declined to comment.