Hollyoaks fans convinced Jen Metcalfe is quitting soap after 18 years on screen as they spot huge clue

HOLLYOAKS viewers have been left convinced Jennifer Metcalfe will quit the show after almost two decades.

Channel 4 fans insist they have spotted a "clue" which will seal Mercedes McQueen's fate on the long-running series.

It comes after her close pal, actress Chelsee Healey, 36, dropped a huge hint she had been axed from her role as Hollyoaks' Goldie McQueen.

The uncertainty comes after the hit soap was forced to address the recent cull of cast members - as well as its future on-screen.

The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses' plans to kill off a whopping 20 cast members.

Now viewers have called out Jennifer's sizzling new headshots uploaded to her Instagram page as a sign she's set to head to pastures new.

One saw the mum of one, 41, flashing her toned abs in a cream knit jumper and leggings while another saw her posing in an all-white get-up.

Jennifer was also seen in a black bralet top and leather jacket before rounding off her new gallery in a cozy beige knit and white trousers.

She posted the snaps to her grid and gushed: "New headshots."

She then credited her photographer and wrote: "Ace working with you @dancollinsphoto."

Yet one fan was quick to suspect the worst and wrote in the comments section: "Nooooo does this mean Mercedes is gonna die."

Another put: "That's my thinking. Second time she's posted new head shots. That usually means looking for new work as an actor.

"I just can't cope with Mercedes dying after everything else they've done!"

A third mused: "Don't new head shots mean new job? I'll be done if they kill Mercedes!"

One bluntly added: "So they're killing Mercedes off then."

It comes after Jen's pal Chelsee - who has also bagged a spot on Dancing On Ice next year - added more fuel to the rumours she was leaving the Cheshire-based soap.

She re-posted another message that read: "Miss Goldie so much hope she comes back."

Recently, she also told how she was in a "dark and heavy" state.

Meanwhile, those stars who have been axed will leave Hollyoaks when it goes from five episodes a week to three.

The cast-wide decisions have understandably sparked fury among the cast backstage.

It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull.

Stephanie is the show's longest-serving female character and admitted that she never thought she would fall victim to the cast cull when it was first revealed by The Sun.

In a lengthy statement, the star revealed she was "heartbroken" and "gutted" to have been given the boot.

Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia.

The soap's resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale.

Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon.

Joining those on the way out is Haiesha Mistry, who is famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik.

She has left the series after seven years on-screen.