Hollyoaks actress, Rachel Adedeji quits the show after 4 years amid racism row

Hollyoaks actress, Rachel Adedeji has quit the show after four years. 

The British-Nigerian actress, who plays Lisa Loveday on the Channel 4 soap, made the decision to leave the show last year and her exit was filmed shortly before lockdown, The Sun Online reported. 

Lisa’s exit from the village will air in the next two months.

A Hollyoaks spokeswoman told The Sun Online: “Rachel made the decision to leave Hollyoaks to pursue other opportunities earlier last year which saddened us at Hollyoaks as she is one of the leading cast members in the show.

“However, the notice period did allow the writers time to give Lisa Loveday an extremely gripping exit storyline.

“Viewers will see this story play out later this year as her final scenes were filmed shortly before lockdown.”

Rachel’s spokesman added: “It had always been our intention for Rachel to leave the show after a period of time.

“She loved her time on Hollyoaks and the exit storyline was openly discussed with the producers and her together, in a collaborative format.”

Last week Rachel accused the TV show of racism behind the scenes while reacting to its ‘disappointing’ stance on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Posting to her Instagram Stories and Twitter, Rachel, 28, condemned the show, writing: “I am disappointed with Hollyoaks’ approach to showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement yesterday.’

The former X Factor contestant and mother of one also went on to detail a list of slurs and racial injustices she claims were happening on set. 

She wrote: ‘Did Black Lives Matter when I was told ”You’re all the same” by a makeup artist you employed, and remains in employment till this day?

‘Did Black Lives Matter when a number of female black actors were forced to drastically change their hair because if not, the viewers ”would not be able to tell them apart”? 

Her comments have lead the show to launch an investigation into the racism row. 

The soap has issued a statement saying: “Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating.”