A HOLLYOAKS star has confirmed his exit from the soap with a goodbye social media post – after nine years on the show.
Rory Douglas Speed, 33, who played priest Joel Dexter since 2016, announced his departure from the long-running Channel 4 soap via Instagram on Monday, after spending almost a decade on the programme.
Rory marked the end of his time on Hollyoaks with an emotional Instagram post, describing his time on the show as “the best years of my life! “[/caption]
The actor played character Joel Dexter, first appearing on screen back in 2016[/caption]
The Scottish actor, whose character was the long-lost son of the show’s popular bad boy Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), shared a series of images from the set, including other co-stars, describing his time on the show as “the best years of my life”.
In the caption, he wrote: “Well GOODBYE [Hollyoaks] it’s been the best years of my life!
“To everybody in that studio that welcomed in me in, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! -and especially the fans! Thank you thank you thank you!
“Hopefully you’ll catch me in something else soon! [heart and rainbow emojis].”
News of Rory’s exit was revealed by The Sun back in June, with the actor said to have chosen to walk away from the show in order to focus on other opportunities.
The emotional post has received over 10,000 likes on the platform, with fans and co-stars quickly flooding the comments section to wish the star the best of luck in his next chapter.
His fiancee Nadine Mulkerrin, who he met on the show while she played Cleo McQueen , left a cute tribute to his character on the show as she led a flurry of comments praising his work..
She wrote: “I welcomed you in big time lol [heart emoji] I love you, so proud of you !! Bye Joel! Certified fittest priest in soap”.
Anna Passey, who has played Sienna Blake on the soap for thirteen years, left a series of heart emojis in the comments after sharing his last on set snaps.
Former Hollyoaks and Corrie star Lucy-jo Hudson also left kind words for her co-star, writing: “AH mate, loved working with you [hands up emoji] wishing you the best for your next ventures [clap emoji] not that you’ll need it x”
Rory’s next move is not yet known, though the dad-of-two may use some of the downtime for wedding planning, as he and fiancee Nadine draw closer to tying the knot – after announcing their engagement back in December 2018.
The Sun exclusively reported on his decision to depart from the show back in June.
A source said: “It was a tough decision for him to make to leave, but it’s right for the character and for Rory himself.
“He’s loved the last nine years and all that has come with Hollyoaks, but he really wants to spread his wings.
“And the time is right. Bosses were very kind and the door has been left open for Joel to return one day so it’s not goodbye by any means.”
Fans will no doubt be confused by Joel’s exit as it didn’t seem like a final goodbye.
Instead the character was questioned for the murder of his brother Tommy, who had in fact, been killed by serial killer Jez Blake.
His final scenes saw him locked up in a prison cell, being warned by DI Banks that he would be spending a few days behind bars while they investigated Tommy’s murder.
The Sun understands that these are Rory’s final scenes, and he will not feature for a while yet.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
