Soap Sleuths Hollyoaks fans certain soap’s ‘big return’ star has secretly QUIT after spotting clue in credits weeks after first scene

HOLLYOAKS fans are convinced a ‘big return’ star has secretly quit the soap after spotting a ‘clue’ in the credits.

The Sun exclusively revealed this fan favourite’s return last year, after a decade away.

Hollyoaks fans are speculating a popular star has secretly quitCredit: Lime Pictures

The Sun revealed Danny Mac’s return to Hollyoaks last yearCredit: Hollyoaks

Danny originally played Dodger Savage from 2011 to 2015Credit: Hollyoaks

Danny Mac, 37, returned to the role of Dodger Savage from January onwards.

After reappearing on-screen, the character has been scarcely seen and later went to Manchester.

The Sun understands that Danny has not quit the show and that Dodger is simply on an undercover mission off-screen. He will return to screens soon.

One fan wrote online: “Does anybody know what is happening with Dodger?

“He seems to have come in for abit, then vanished. He is not even on the credits so is that him done?”

Another added: “I thought he was meant to be undercover and investigating Rex but that seems to have gone out of the window now.

“Not even sure if he’s meant to be returning again and the whole hype about his return seems pointless now.”

A third penned: “I genuinely don’t understand why they made a big deal about his return for him to appear 2-3 times for less than 5 minutes combined since he came back into the show – especially if its the case of him just being used as a reason for maxine to go.”

While a fourth remarked: “Everything about his return is all over the place, even his relationship with Maxine.

“How did she even know where he went?”

Hollyoaks has been approached for comment.

Dodger has had a memorable relationship with Maxine Minniver, portrayed by Nikki Sanderson.

The couple quickly became fan favourites, but their romance hit rocky ground, especially after Maxine endured abuse at the hands of Patrick Blake.

Viewers were thrilled to learn that Maxine and Dodger officially reunited in January 2025 — a moment many longtime fans had been hoping for.

Meanwhile, The Sun revealed that Nikki was leaving the soap and had filmed her final scenes.

Insiders revealed that Nikki, who has been dating Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan for three years, had decided to move on to give herself more freedom to try other roles.

A source told us “She met with bosses and told them of her plans to leave, she’d just turned 40 and felt the time was right to say goodbye to Maxine.

“She’s keen to explore other opportunities and is excited to get back out there.

“Bosses have been plotting Maxine’s exit storyline for months and have promised it will be a fitting tribute to the character, and viewers can expect a lot of drama before she goes.”

The source added: “She will film her final scenes next month, which will go out on-screen in May.”

Long-term viewers will remember Dodger’s relationship with MaxineCredit: Hollyoaks