Hollyoaks: 11 Axed

09 March 2010

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The Channel 4 soap's series producer Paul Marquess - who has made considerable cast changes since he joined in January 2010 - plans to cull several more characters in the soap, including the entire Valentine family, who will leave when the storyline surrounding the upcoming death of Calvin (Ricky Whittle) ends.

As well as the Valentine family - also consisting of father Leo (Brian Bovell), Sasha (Nathalie Emmanuelle) and Lauren (Dominique Jackson) - the TV boss won't extend Kent Riley's contract either, even though he has played student Zak Ramsay for six years.

These new changes will also see Kevin Sacre leave again, when the current storyline between his alter-ego Jake Dean and his love interest Loretta Jones (Melissa Walton) comes to an end. Melissa will also leave at this stage.

Character Spencer Gray - portrayed by Darren Langford - is also due to leave when his current contract runs out over the next few months and troubled teenager Barry 'Newt' Newton (Nico Mirallegro) will walk away from the screen village alongside new characters Dave Colburn (Elliot James Langridge) and teacher Des Townsend (Kris Deedigan).

This news comes shortly after Paul replaced long-running producer Lucy Allan and instantly revealed plans to cull members the Ashworth family - student Josh and his parents Suzanne and Neville - played by Sonny Flood, Suzanne Hall and Jim Millea.

It is also unclear about the future of cross-dressing radio DJ Kris Fisher, whose real-life persona Gerard McCarthy is believed to be preparing to quit the soap to work on the new West End show 'Flashdance The Musical'.