SOAP SHOCK Hollyoaks star QUITS after 20 years ahead of soap’s 30th anniversary

A HOLLYOAKS legend has quit after nearly 20 years on the soap.

The actor has been one of the Channel 4 soap’s most prominent faces of its 30 year history is set to bow out in a shock plot next year.

The Hollyoaks legend will have spent two decades on the showCredit: Lime Pictures

Actor James Sutton first played John Paul McQueen in 2006 and he’s been involved in some of the most memorable storylines of the show’s history.

But now The Sun can exclusively reveal that he will be leaving the soap next year in an explosive storyline.

A source said: “James has loved his time at Hollyoaks but he’s got other things that he wants to do.

“John Paul is a big favourite with fans and bosses alike but it’s felt the time is right for him to say goodbye to the village.

“James has his eye on a new career away from acting with a self-improvement campaign for men like him.

“He’s really revamped his own life over the last few years with fitness and mental health transformations and he thinks he could help others do the same.

“It’s not a goodbye to acting but it’s not going to be the only thing he does now.”

Hollyoaks has been approached for comment.

The show will celebrate its 30th anniversary next month with a huge month of celebrations as well as a trademark stunt.

Show boss Hannah Cheers told us: “You can’t do a Hollyoaks commemoration without some kind of spectacle.

“So there will be a stunt.”

And more than that Hannah also revealed a huge battle between two Hollyoaks titans will take centre stage for October.

Having recently returned from the dead to the village after 12 years, Clare Devine is back and she’s set to clash against serial killer Jez Blake in the run up to the big anniversary.

“Well, yes, obviously we’ve got two kind of Hollyoaks titans here,” Hannah added.

“We’ve got kind of very iconic Hollyoaks faces. And it’s not an accident that they are both in the show in the run up to the 30th anniversary.”