Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood quits after eight years in charge of the soap in shock move
HOLLYOAKS boss Bryan Kirkwood left the cast in shock today when he revealed he was quitting the soap.
The 44-year-old executive producer, who has been in the role since 2012, announced the news to the show's stunned stars today, The Sun Online can reveal.
Bryan, who oversaw EastEnders from 2010 to 2012 before leaving for the E4 soap, has been at the helm for a string of explosive storylines.
He was also in charge of Hollyoaks for an earlier spell as producer between 2006 and 2009.
His bombshell departure - which will take place at the end of the year - was revealed just days before the soap returns to screens after a three-month break.
In a statement tonight, Bryan said: “For many years I have had the privilege of running a soap opera with a fiercely loyal audience.
“I passionately believe that soaps can help viewers start serious conversations about their lives.
"In recent years we have covered important topics within mental health, sexual consent, Far-Right radicalisation, male rape, sexual abuse and many issues other shows might look away from.
“It has also been a joy to deliver the plot buster stories that ‘can only happen on Hollyoaks’, stories that give our viewers an entertaining escape into a heightened world.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I want to thank the entire team. Their talent, warmth, loyalty and friendship are why I stayed so long.”
“The 25th anniversary feels like an elegant time to hand the reins over to someone else but I’m confident that the beating heart of Hollyoaks – the people who make it - will keep the show around for another 25 years.”
Because so many episodes are banked in advance, scenes masterminded by the outgoing producer will remain on screen until June 2021.
Bryan's departure comes months after Hollyoaks was rocked by a race row that saw several cast members go public with their stories about racist treatment backstage.
In June Rachel Adedeji spoke out about a series of racist incidents that happened behind the scenes on the show - and was backed up by other cast members.
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The actress quit saying she had experienced racism while working on the show and that her "fellow black cast mates are deemed angry, aggressive and too vocal".
Lime Pictures, which produces the soap for Channel 4, released a statement confirming it is taking action after several stars went public with their stories about racist treatment backstage.
Bosses of the programme said they would bring in "unconscious bias trainers" in an effort to tackle any inequality among cast and crew.