Hollyoaks bosses step down ahead of soap’s major relaunch with episode cuts
HOLLYOAKS’ top bosses have stepped down amid the show’s current relaunch after its episode count was slashed.
The joint managing directors of Lime Pictures, the production company behind the Channel 4 soap, will be walking away from their positions after 12 years.
As well as running Lime Pictures, they have been a major part of the production company’s sister brands, Lion and Wise Owl.
Kate Little and Claire Poyser have been running Lime Pictures since 2013 and have overseen the control of Hollyoaks over the last 12 years.
But now with the soap set to go in a new direction, they will be saying goodbye, according to Broadcast.
The duo helped to steer Hollyoaks into its new era as well as focusing on Lime Pictures many reality shows.
Lime produces both ITV‘s The Only Way is Essex as well as MTV‘s Geordie Shore.
During their tenure, they also helped to launch E4‘s Celebs Go Dating.
Speaking about stepping down, Claire said: “After 12 years there are too many personal highlights to list but what has made my time at Lime, Lion and Wise Owl so memorable are the people I have worked with; brilliant people who are not only expert in what they do but care about those around them and embody the values that make the Company so special.
“I am really looking forward to my next challenge and am grateful to Jane, Sara and Angela for their support throughout my time at All3Media.”
Whilst Kate added: “Together we have produced best in class programming for audiences worldwide.
“After 12 fantastic years, however, it is time for a change and I am really excited to embark upon my next adventure.”
Hollyoaks is currently entering a new era on screens after seeing its episode count slashed to just three a week.
It comes amid falling ratings and tight budgets at Channel 4.
A whopping 20 stars were given the boot from the programme in order to accommodate the changes including stars such as Jamelia, Jamie Lomas, Stephanie Waring, Owen Warner and Annie Wallace.
The Chester village has been rocked by a huge stunt this week which is thought to have claimed the lives of three residents.
Next week, the soap will jump forward to be set one year in the future as part of a bizarre new plan for the soap.
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.