Hollyoaks actor John Middleton has left the soap after under a year portraying a villain, with bosses lining up a dramatic exit storyline for the former Emmerdale star.
John Middleton has stepped down from Hollyoaks after only six months in the role. The actor, who portrays Fraser “Froggy” Black, is set to leave the E4 soap later this year. Producers are reportedly lining up a dramatic send-off for the star, who was previously known for his time on Emmerdale.
A source told The Sun: “Bosses thought they had a winning formula when they cast John as a cockney villain, as the role was such a contrast to his much-loved Emmerdale character. However, John has decided to move on. He informed them of his choice to leave, and now bosses are working on a major exit storyline for him.
“They’re still weighing up whether to kill the character off or keep the door open for a potential return in the future.”
John was thrilled when he secured his part on Hollyoaks last summer. Speaking at the time, he said: “Going from Vicar to villain is quite a jump, but that’s exactly why I’m enjoying this role. Froggy has a very dark past and could expose everyone’s secrets. He knows where all the skeletons are hidden — maybe even literally…”
John is the most recent high-profile departure from Hollyoaks in the past few months. Heartthrob James Sutton exited earlier this month after spending decades on the soap, while Tamara Wall and Alex Fletcher are also among those set to leave.
Several cast members fear they could be written out in a dramatic death storyline.
Last year, long-time star Jennifer Metcalfe said: “Working as a soap actress means you don’t have much say.
“If the bosses decide your character needs to be killed off because it suits the storyline, then that’s what happens. But I try not to focus on that.
“Whatever happens, happens. If it does, I’ll deal with it and find something else. That’s the nature of the job — it can be here one moment and gone the next.”
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