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West End legend Dawn Hope is reportedly leaving Hollyoaks later this year – but will continue to make guest appearances.
It’s been alleged that the actress, who has played Pearl Anderson for the last five years, will film exit scenes on the E4 soap’s set in Childwall, Liverpool, next month.
The Sun reports that it was Hope’s decision to step down as a full time cast member so that she could pursue other stage roles.
A source told the publication: “Dawn loves being on the show but the pull of being back on the stage has become too strong.
“She’s a legend in the West End and wants to go back to the stage. She told bosses last year about her plans well in advance so they could craft her a huge exit but instead they surprised her and offered her the option of staying as a guest star.
“It means Dawn can go off and take whatever projects she wants but the door is well and truly open.”
Radio Times understands that Hope will be staying with the show.
Hope found fame in the ’80s in musicals Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls and Follies, before making a move to the small screen in ’90s sitcom Waiting for God.
She also played the recurring role of Alison Soames in Coronation Street – the mother-in-law of Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall).
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As Hope prepares to leave the serial drama, an old face is returning within the next month. Cindy Cunningham, played by Steph Waring, is returning following a two-year absence.
A summer trailer released earlier this week showed that she’s back with a bang, and quickly clashes with her niece Beth Keane (Rebecca Ryan).
Hollyoaks is available to watch on Channel 4 catch-up and airs Monday to Wednesday, from 7pm on E4.
Visit our dedicated Soaps page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
