Hollyoaks star breaks silence after brutally being killed off soap in dramatic wedding scenes
A HOLLYOAKS star has broken their silence after brutally being killed off the soap in dramatic wedding scenes.
Matthew James-Bailey spilled the beans about his dramatic exit from Hollyoaks during Monday’s episode.
Fans were devastated to lose Ethan Williams, who has been a part of the Chen-Williams family since 2021.
Monday’s episode saw Sienna Blake (played by Anna Passey) and Ethan tie the knot. However, the event was far removed from ‘happy ever after’.
Moments before they uttered the vows ‘til death do us part’, Ethan met an untimely end.
As the ‘happy couple’ pair emerged from the church as Vicky turned up at the church to make a shock revelation.
She proceeded to ruin the big day by spilling the beans about their affair.
She furiously smashed wine glasses – soaking Sienna’s wedding gown as a fight broke out between the two women – leaving Vicky on the floor gasping for breath.
But enraged Sienna was out for revenge as she continued to row with Ethan on the balcony as guests eavesdropped.
Then there was a blood-curdling scream as Ethan fell off the balcony, plummeting to his death in suspicious circumstances.
Ethan’s death comes just weeks after the show aired its highly anticipated time jump, and saw a mass exodus of characters.
Speaking about his exit, Matthew told Digital Spy: “It’s really bittersweet. It’s come to an end a lot sooner than I would have liked.
“In previous interviews, I’ve said that I’d happily stay at Hollyoaks forever. It wasn’t my choice to leave, but that’s just the way that the game works, unfortunately!
“It’s hard to say goodbye to the fans and all of the people there that I love. But you have to look at it as new beginnings, take the bull by the reins, get back on and do it.”
He continued: “I was really happy that it was back to being me and Anna. I think that’s where Ethan shines – when he’s with Sienna.
“All the fans can see that the chemistry between us is incredible. It’s a massive privilege to bring that to life and it’s brilliant that the fans got behind that from day one and didn’t stop.
The star added he was “really happy” that he was able to give Ethan “the ending he deserved” rather than exiting in a cab.
But he admitted: “I wouldn’t have chosen to kill the character off. I’ve always made it clear that I wanted to stick around and have an open end.
“I feel that’s what the fans deserve and what they should have, just so they can hang onto a glimmer of hope. However, that’s life, that’s the industry and it’s out of my control.”
Hollyoaks - cast member cull
HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show?
Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members.
It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members.
Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X.
The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page.
It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull.
Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia.
The soap’s resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale.
Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon.
Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.