Stephanie Waring, who has played Cindy Cunningham on Hollyoaks for 28 years, broke down in tears as she prepared to say goodbye to the soap after her character was axed. She shared her devastation on Instagram, revealing that she had to say goodbye to some crew members that she had worked with for the last 16 years. Stephanie expressed her sadness and how difficult it was to part ways with people she had known for nearly three decades. Despite feeling heartbroken, she acknowledged the need to move forward positively and remain grateful for the experiences she had on the show.
Stephanie shared how she felt ‘distraught’ upon hearing that her character had been axed from the show, despite signing a year-long contract. She was in disbelief and left in tears after the news was delivered to her. Despite her initial shock and emotional reaction, Stephanie is now back on set working as she prepares for Cindy’s departure from the show. While she had a gut feeling that she might be axed, she is excited for the future and potential new opportunities that may come her way. Stephanie hinted that she has been in talks with two Australian shows, with one being a dream role for her to pursue.
The soap opera Hollyoaks is reportedly planning to reduce its weekly episode output to just three episodes, which has led to budget cuts and job losses among cast and crew members. It was revealed that the show will undergo a significant cast cull by fast-forwarding the storyline through a ‘time jump,’ resulting in the exit of 20 characters permanently. The decision to cut cast members has left many longtime actors devastated, as they face uncertain futures in the industry. Despite the challenges, Stephanie expressed gratitude for her time on the show and respect for the producers’ decision to reduce the cast.
Stephanie took to Instagram to share the news of her character’s departure from Hollyoaks, revealing that she was given the option to announce she quit in order to avoid public embarrassment. However, she chose to be honest with her fans and shared her heartfelt message about being axed from the show after nearly three decades. While she is saddened by the decision, Stephanie expressed appreciation for her time on the show and the character of Cindy Cunningham. She emphasized that she will cherish every last scene she has left to play before exiting the show.
The budget cuts at Channel 4, which airs Hollyoaks, were announced in January in response to an uncertain economy and the need to transform into a more digital-focused broadcaster. This has led to job losses and reductions in the number of episodes produced by the network. As a result, Hollyoaks, like many other soaps, has had to make difficult decisions regarding its cast and crew, leading to the departure of long-standing cast members like Stephanie Waring. Despite the challenges, Stephanie remains positive about the future and the potential opportunities that may arise as she moves on from Hollyoaks.
In the midst of ongoing changes and uncertainties in the soap opera industry, Stephanie Waring’s departure from Hollyoaks marks the end of an era for her character Cindy Cunningham. While the decision to axe her character was met with sadness and heartbreak, Stephanie has shown resilience and optimism as she prepares to say goodbye to the show. Her honesty and transparency with fans about her departure are a testament to her dedication to the role and the impact it has had on her life. As she looks ahead to new opportunities and potential roles, Stephanie remains grateful for her time on Hollyoaks and the experiences she has gained throughout the years.
