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Jamelia explains her sudden Hollyoaks exit as she admits she may regret leaving

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Jamelia has left Hollyoaks (Image: Channel 4)
Jamelia has left Hollyoaks (Image: Channel 4)

Emotional Jamelia has shared the real reason why she left Hollyoaks in a sudden exit.

The 43-year-old left the soap after it was revealed that 20 characters had been axed in a huge upcoming twist. The singer's husband walked out while she was pregnant back in 2022.

The star left her role as Sharon Bailey on Hollyoaks after finding it hard to juggle the full on job with being a single mum to four daughters. Jamelia joined Hollyoaks for a short stint in 2021 before returning again in 2023. She went on to appear in 47 episodes during that time.

Speaking on the new ITVBe show Drama Queens, Jamelia said: "Hollyoaks was like a plaster on a very deep wound. But I know I am not healed. I haven’t done the healing work that needs to be done. I can’t do it while focusing on such a demanding job on top of the most demanding job of being four peoples’ mum.

"I have loved my time at Hollyoaks. Every single second. But I know I have been blocking away 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.

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Jamelia explains her sudden Hollyoaks exit as she admits she may regret leavingJamelia is leaving Hollyoaks (GOFF)

"I don’t know if I am going to regret saying no. They have left it open… they haven’t killed Sharon off. Which I am truly grateful for. But I need to take some time for myself. I need to just stop and think and process. And I need to deal with all the things I haven’t dealt with." Drama Queens follows the lives of female soap stars from Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street and looks into what they get up to when they aren't being filmed for work. The programme will follow Jamelia's journey after leaving Hollyoaks.

Jamelia has enjoyed a life of fame for more than two decades - first launching into the spotlight in 1999. She became an overnight success as she released her hits Superstar, So High and I Do. Her career has seen her produce three studio albums and a number of top 10 hits.

As well as music, she's also had quite the career when it comes to TV as well. She has been the face of the likes of Jamelia: Whose Hair Is It Anyway? and Jamelia: Shame About Single Mums. She's also been on Loose Women, Strictly and Celebrity Chase. In 2015, Jamelia tried her hand at Strictly Come Dancing and was partnered up with professional dancer Tristan MacManus. Jamelia survived until week nine of the dance competition after landing in the bottom two with Peter Andre and his dance partner Janette Manrara.

Charlotte Everett

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