Alex Fletcher ‘quitting Hollyoaks after 16 years on the soap’
After 16 years playing Diane Hutchinson on the soap, Alex Fletcher is reportedly quitting Hollyoaks.
Alex Fletcher is reportedly quitting Hollyoaks after 16 years on the soap.
In a move that would mark the end of one of British soap’s longest-running roles, the actress is said to have decided to finally stop playing Diane Hutchinson after apparently telling bosses about the move near the end of last year.
The Sun, which is reporting her decision, says she will film her “emotional exit in the coming months”.
Alex, 49, joined Hollyoaks in 2010, having previously found fame as Jacqui Dixon in Brookside.
Her reported departure from the series would draw a line under Diane’s long on-screen marriage to Tony Hutchinson, played by Nick Pickard – a partnership that has been central to the series for more than a decade.
A source told the Sun: “Alex is one of the show’s most popular characters both on and off screen – everyone just adores her.”
The insider added: “She has been at the heart of Hollyoaks alongside Nick for more than a decade and bosses are gutted she’s leaving.
“But they are doing everything they came to come up with a memorable and fitting exit for her much-loved character.”
Alex’s reported departure plan comes amid a period of wider cast change at the soap.
It follows reports Chelsee Healey is also stepping back from the series after playing Goldie McQueen since 2016.
Chelsee previously took breaks from the show for maternity leave in 2017 and again in 2024, but this time the decision is said to be permanent.
A source told The Sun: “Chelsee has decided it’s time to move on from Hollyoaks for good. She’s hasn’t had a full time contract on the show for some time now.
“She’s been doing other stuff on the side for a while – like Waterloo Road – but she’s taking the leap fully now. It’s a new start for this year.”
Before joining Hollyoaks, Chelsee portrayed Janeece Bryant in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road between 2006 and 2012.
She returned briefly in 2023 and is reported to be set to reprise the role again.
