Jamelia has revealed the real reason behind her sudden exit from Hollyoaks, as the soap is set to axe twenty characters in a time-jump cast cull.
The singer, 42, joined the soap as as Sharon Bailey in 2021 for a short before returning last year.
But Jamelia, who is starring soap star reality show Drama Queens, revealed that she decided to leave her recent venture as she had been struggling to juggle being a single parent to her four daughters with work.
Jamelia has been a single mother since her husband walked out when she was pregnant in 2022.
‘Hollyoaks was like a plaster on a very deep wound,’ she said on the latest episode of ITVBe’s Drama Queens. ‘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.’
She added: ‘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.
‘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 viewers will follow Jamelia through her journey of family life and leaving Hollyoaks.
It was reported in March that bosses had decided to axe twenty cast members, but their identities had not yet been revealed.
However, one of the twenty stars was later accidentally as Jamelia, after ITV released a synopsis for their new reality show, Drama Queens.
The reality show follows nine female soap stars from across Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and Coronation Street as they give soap fans a glimpse into their lives off camera.
