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Hollyoaks alum Steph Waring reveals co-stars stopped talking to her after brutal axing from the soap – and slams lack of support for cast after exit

BBG News

Steph Waring, a previous actor on Hollyoaks, has disclosed that her past colleagues no longer communicate with her after her abrupt dismissal from the Channel 4 soap last year. She confesses that she has been deeply affected by the unexpected end of both her professional career and longstanding friendships.

The actress, aged 47, who portrayed Cindy Cunningham on and off since 1996, has shared that after being let go, she has faced overwhelming self-doubt, fiscal stress, and a perceived lack of support from the industry towards veteran cast members.

She remarked, “The silence I used to associate with my old family feels palpable now on the program. There’s no one answering the phone, no one reaching out.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but feel left out when I observe everyone carrying on with their lives. It’s like being ensconced within the enchanting world of Hollyoaks, and they refer to it as a family – but you only truly belong when you’re part of the cast, immersed in its heartbeat.

In the rawest of terms, after spilling my soul on the latest Secure The Insecure podcast episode, it feels like those connections vanish into thin air. It’s as if we never shared those moments. Truth be told, there are barely a handful of individuals I still maintain a relationship with.

In 2024, the soap opera underwent a significant change in its cast, resulting in the actress being one of many affected. Now, she alleges that there was insufficient support provided to handle the consequences, suggesting a breach in ‘responsibility and protection’ obligations.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but be deeply affected by the recent turn of events within the family. The ripple effect reached far and wide, impacting individuals from the wardrobe team to the sound technicians and makeup artists who found themselves jobless following the cull. Now, I find myself left wondering: what is going to happen next?

Pondering over the abrupt cessation of her usual earnings, Steph acknowledged that the lack of advance warning had caused her financial apprehension.

‘They informed me that I would need to depart within three months, but this wasn’t enough time for me – I was wondering what on earth I was supposed to do and where my next income was going to come from.’

‘While it may be suggested to find another acting job, earning substantial income isn’t typically possible outside soap operas or Netflix series. Consequently, one must diversify their skills and take on multiple roles, as if wearing various hats.’

Last May, it emerged that Hollyoaks was facing significant reductions in its budget, leading the show’s management to plan a 40% decrease in their staffing numbers.

Due to budget reductions, Channel 4 executives were compelled to conduct large-scale layoffs of actors and staff, and reduce the number of episodes produced each week to three.

The scriptwriters devised an unusual strategy to advance the TV series by a full year, thus effectively removing 20 characters from the soap opera indefinitely.

Alongside Steph, several other main characters such as Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham), Suzanne Hall (Suzanne Ashworth), Gregory Finnegan (James Nightingale), and Annie Wallace (Sally St Clair) are also being let go in the major reduction.

Steph is currently reeducating herself as a life coach, learning from renowned mentor Jay Shetty. She shared that this change aided her during a challenging phase when she abstained from working out at the gym, indulged excessively in alcohol, and wrestled with her self-esteem.

She confessed that she experiences difficult days. For a while, she plans to step away from social media because she feels self-conscious about her appearance and believes others are not fond of her posts or her abilities. She questions her identity as she is no longer the person she used to be… so she wonders what her purpose is now.

In her open confession, she acknowledged her deep-rooted insecurities that have plagued her for decades, stemming from her struggle with self-image and bulimia, a fight that started during her teenage years.

As a devoted follower, I’ve decided to distance myself from explicitly sexual material these days. However, I can’t deny that there was a time when I found the sensation of being objectified quite appealing.

She mentioned that when she initially joined the show in the 90s, it primarily revolved around men’s magazines. This was a key factor in gaining recognition. When she was chosen for Maxim magazine, along with other [Hollyoaks] actresses, she was thrilled. She couldn’t contain her excitement, exclaiming, “Wow! I’m going to be a Hollyoaks girl!

But the high didn’t last as Steph was told she had been dropped from the Maxim cover.

I received a call informing me that I wouldn’t appear on the cover. They claimed it was due to my wearing colored underwear, which wasn’t accurate… Deep down, I felt it was because I didn’t fit the usual appearance.” She still finds it upsetting when she recalls it.

As a diehard devotee, I can’t help but share this intriguing detail: I too have heard whispers that my favorite cast members and I, despite our regular appearances in magazines and the Hollyoaks calendar, were never compensated for these projects.

In the past, none of us were compensated for our work on those men’s magazines. It’s unclear where the earnings went, but they certainly should have gone to us. And that’s the one thing I’ve always found troubling about it – we should have been paid for our contributions, she asserted.

As a lifestyle advisor, I, Steph, firmly believe that one’s physical form should never be exploited for financial gain. Unlike my former Hollyoaks co-star, Sarah Jayne Dunn, who has chosen to monetize her presence on OnlyFans, I opt for more dignified and authentic avenues to generate income.

She expressed, “I highly doubt I would portray myself in such a sexual manner. At almost fifty years old, I simply don’t see myself adopting that approach… However, it’s important to remember that people can and do evolve over time.

Despite what others might suggest, the shift from soap opera fame to everyday living has proven challenging for her. As she put it, “A job may seem like just a job, but at the same time, it becomes your life.” In her words, “Cindy Cunningham is not merely a character; she is me, and I am the community. It’s more than just a small role – it encompasses everything.

She remarked, “It’s been quite some time since anyone inquired about my feelings. I believe I am indeed a piece still being shaped… However, when things are going well, I can hardly be halted.

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2025-07-15 17:24

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