Jamelia reveals the REAL reason for her sudden departure from Hollyoaks – as the soap is set to drop twenty characters in a time-skip cast cull

Jamelia has revealed the real reason behind her sudden exit from Hollyoaks as the soap is set to ax twenty characters in a time-skip kill-off.

The singer, 42, joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 for a short period before returning last year.

But Jamelia, who stars in soap star reality show Drama Queens, revealed she decided to leave her recent venture as she struggled to juggle being a single parent to her four daughters with work.

Jamelia has been a single mother since her husband walked out when she was pregnant in 2022.

“Hollyoaks was like a Band-Aid on a very deep wound,” she said in the latest episode of ITVBe’s Drama Queens. ‘But I know I’m not cured. I have not done the healing work that needs to be done. I can’t do that while focusing on such a demanding job on top of the most demanding job of being a mother of four.’

The singer, 42, joined the soap as Sharon Bailey in 2021 for a short period before returning last year

She added: ‘I’ve loved my time at Hollyoaks. Every second. But I know I’ve blocked something and I haven’t dealt with a lot of things and I have to take that time.

‘They offered me another year – I really wanted to say yes because I loved it, but I know it wouldn’t be the right thing for me to do right now.

‘I don’t know if I’ll regret saying no. They’ve left it open… they haven’t killed Sharon. For which I am truly grateful.

“But I have to take some time for myself. I just have to stop and think and process. And I have to deal with all the things I haven’t dealt with”.

Drama Queens viewers will follow Jamelia through her family life journey and leaving Hollyoaks.

It was reported in March that bosses had decided to sack twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.

However, one of the twenty stars was later accidentally cast as Jamelia after ITV released a synopsis for their new reality show, Drama Queens.

The reality show follows nine female soap stars from across Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street as they give soap fans an insight into their lives off camera.

Part of the reality show’s synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own well-being and her family over the glitz of Hollyoaks’

But Jamelia, who stars in soap star reality show Drama Queens, revealed she decided to leave her recent venture as she struggled to juggle being a single parent to her four daughters with work

Drama Queens viewers will follow Jamelia through her family life journey and leaving Hollyoaks

Part of its synopsis reads: ‘Jamelia embarks on a transformative journey, prioritizing her own well-being and her family over the glitz of Hollyoaks.

“As she prepares to say goodbye to the show, we witness her emotional transition as she packs up her life in the UK to start anew in Dubai, all the while cherishing her bond with her four daughters.”

The sun reported that scriptwriters have come up with a bizarre plan to ‘time jump’ the show by a year, which will fast-forward 20 characters from the soap permanently.

A source told the publication: ‘Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is eye-popping and devastating news for soapland.

“In the past Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. But the days of soaps having a big cast clean up with a devastating stunt are long gone, especially on Hollyoaks where the budget has been dramatically cut.

‘The time jump is a way for Hollyoaks to say goodbye to the characters who are going and give fans closure – but it will be controversial.’

The Sun reported last month that Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox) and Owen Warner (Romeo Nightingale) had volunteered to leave.

It was reported in March that bosses had decided to ax twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed

Lime Pictures, who make the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who wanted to put their hands up.

Ross Adams also decided to leave Hollyoaks after nine years on the soap, revealing the news in an Instagram update.

The actor, who has starred as Scott Drinkwell since 2015, revealed that while he was offered a new contract, the crew were having a ‘pretty tough time’ and he felt it was best to leave.

His departure comes after Channel 4 bosses slashed budgets and slashed the number of episodes.

The broadcaster announced that from September the episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.