Hollyoaks star confirms shock exit after eight years and final scenes will air next week

A Hollyoaks child star has confirmed they're leaving the Channel 4 soap after eight years.

Lacey Findlow has played Dee Dee Hutchinson, the adoptive daughter Tony and Diane Hutchinson, since 2017.

The rolewas previously played by Annabelle and Charlotte White from 2013 until 2016 and Lily Harrington in 2015.

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Fans will remember Dee Dee was switched at birth with Rose Lomax by nurse Mariam Andrews however the mums of both babies agreed to continue raising the children they had been raising.

Lacey logged into her Instagram page on Monday (September 15) to announce that her final scenes will play out next week.

Alongside a snap of her standing next to the iconic Hollyoaks village sign, the actress wrote: "Next week will be the end of my Hollyoaks era.

"What started as a six-month role turned into an unforgettable eight-year journey and I couldn’t be more grateful.

"Dee Dee Hutchinson, it's been a joy bringing you to life from your very first line "more pink" to your final one, "NDA until the episode airs".

"Thank you for the laughter, the friendships, the lessons, the encouragement and the overall experience."

Lacey went on to share special thank yous to Brian Kirkwood, her on-screen parents Nick Pickard and Alex Fletcher, her on-screen family and to the viewers."

She ended her lengthy post, saying: "I’ll truly miss driving through the Childwall gates and stepping onto those iconic Hollyoaks sets.

"But all incredible journeys must come to an end and I am forever grateful for how long this one lasted.

"I leave with a heart full of gratitude and memories I’ll cherish forever. Thank you, Hollyoaks."

Lacey's post was unsurprisingly inundated with messages of support from fans as well as her co-stars.

Isabelle Smith, who plays Frankie Osborne in Hollyoaks, wrote: "Sending you all the love and luck for the future xx."

Nadine Mulkerrin, who portrays the role of Cleo McQueen in the soap, added: "Go shine xx."

Ela May Demircan, who used to play Leah Barnes, wrote: "Love you endlessly, can’t wait to see what’s next for you."

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am