Hollyoaks cast summoned for one-on-one talks with bosses after racism row on set
THE cast of Hollyoaks have been summoned for one-on-one talks with soap bosses after a series of scandals have hit the soap, The Sun Online can exclusively reveal.
The Channel 4 soap has been engulfed in a racism row, had two cast members quit and another calling fellow actors "traitors" after they spoke about the racial issues on the show.
The recent furore has left Hollyoaks bosses calling in the show's stars to one-on-one meetings in a bid to address the alleged bullying and racism on set.
A source told The Sun Online: "Bosses have been meeting with the cast one on one and have called as many cast members as they can into meetings to speak about racism and bullying on set.
"They've promised everyone that works there that changes will be made"
Hollyoaks had no comment when contacted by The Sun Online.
The latest news comes after it was revealed that bosses are bringing in "unconscious bias trainers" as part of a plan to stamp out racism on the show.
Lime Pictures - which produces the soap for Channel 4 - has released a statement confirming it is taking action after several cast members went public with their stories about racist treatment backstage.
Their complaints came in the wake of the international protests by the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the US.
A spokeswoman said: "Hollyoaks has been deeply shocked and saddened by issues that have been brought to our attention over the weekend.
"Lime Pictures strives to have zero tolerance of racism or any form of discrimination across all of its shows but it is clear we have further work to do.
"We must stamp out implicit bias which means calling out racism wherever and whenever we see it.
"We will continue to add to our action plan as we continue and broaden our dialogue with cast and staff."
Lime Pictures set out a number of measures it was introducing to try and combat racial inequality among its cast and crew.
The statement continued: "We are reaching out to all of our cast and staff that have raised matters to make sure that we address individual issues and concerns.
"We have asked all cast, staff and freelancers to share with us any further issues of concern or instances of unacceptable behaviour that they have not previously raised.
"We are working with unconscious bias trainers to augment Lime's all-staff training to help address concerns raised by cast and staff."
All BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) staff, freelancers and cast will also be offered mentoring from Lime Pictures' senior management.
The statement added: "We are undertaking an immediate and in depth review of company and cast liaison across Lime.
"We will be producing a Hollyoaks podcast where our black cast will share their experiences on racism to their audience.
"We are very conscious that we need to do more and are committed to making changes that we need to make.
"The onus is upon our company collectively and us all as individuals within our community to tackle racism, and it is a responsibility which all of us here at Hollyoaks are taking on fully."
Rachel Adedeji accused Hollyoaks of being "performative and disingenuous" before listing the show's shortcomings and said "systematic changes must be put into practice."
Her comments have lead the show to launch an investigation, and now a number of Rachel's co-stars have come out in support.
The soap has issued a statement saying: "Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji's comments extremely seriously and are investigating."
Posting to her Instagram Stories and Twitter earlier this month, Rachel condemned the show, writing: “I am disappointed with Hollyoaks’ approach to showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Did Black Lives Matter when I was told “You’re all the same” by a make up artist you employed, and remains in employment til this day?”
The former X Factor contestant was responding to a video posted by the show which involved her on screen aunt Kelle Bryan.
Rachel went on to detail some of the list problems at her workplace – including the lack of diversity in the directing team and shocking slurs from a senior member of production.
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However when other allegations came to light from former stars, Marnie Nightingale actress Lysette Anthony called them "traitorous".
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It sparked an immediate backlash, with her messages being made public by Charlie Clapham and Rachel labelling her "absolute trash".
The Sun Online exclusively revealed how Rachel had decided to quit the soap after four years playing Lisa Loveday.