Jeremy Edwards has announced he has quit Hollyoaks and admitted being ‘judged’ online played a role in his decision.
The actor, 49, portrayed Kurt Benson on the Channel 4 soap, originally from 1995 to 1999 when he was seemingly killed off but then made a shock return last year.
Jeremy admitted social media trolling was a part of his departure as some fans refusing to accept Kurt’s return from the dead as well as his becoming a conman.
Departure: Jeremy Edwards has announced he has quit Hollyoaks and admitted being ‘judged’ online played a role in his decision
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: ‘It is with a heavy heart I am announcing I will NOT be returning to #Hollyoaks
‘Many reasons but I’d be lying if I said being judged on here hasn’t influenced my decision. Never say never but for now I’m done. Thank you to those who have supported me for me.’
Many Hollyoaks fans were disappointed to hear Jeremy would not be returning and told him not to pay attention to trolls.
One user wrote: ‘I don’t understand what gives people the right to bully people they wouldn’t like it done to them please ignore the haters dont let them win.’
Role: The actor, 49, portrayed Kurt Benson on the Channel 4 soap, originally from 1995 to 1999 when he was seemingly killed off but then made a shock return last year (pictured in 1995)
Statement: Jeremy admitted social media trolling was a part of his departure as some fans refusing to accept Kurt’s return from the dead as well as his becoming a conman
Another added: ‘I’m sorry to hear this. I’ve enjoyed your fabulous acting in Hollyoaks. All these haters are not worth it, they have nothing better to do but put others down. I wouldn’t tolerate it that’s for sure! Hope you’re back one day.’
Tamara Wall, who plays Grace Black on the soap, also commented on Jeremy’s post and wrote: ‘That’s such a shame babe’.
Another fan said they were ‘gutted’ to hear Jeremy would be leaving, writing: ‘I’ve watched from near enough the start of Hollyoaks and always loved your character, then and now!
‘If you like doing it then who cares what people think! Don’t spend your life unhappy though, either by staying or going! Do what makes YOU happy!’
Reaction: Many Hollyoaks fans were disappointed to hear Jeremy would not be returning and told him not to pay attention to trolls
Kurt, who was killed off in a skiing accident in 1999, made his return for Hollyoaks 25th anniversary, with his friend Tony (Nick Pickard) thinking he had seen a ghost.
Jeremy, who was previously engaged to Rachel Stevens, was in the first ever episode of Hollyoaks and briefly returned in 2013 as a hallucination, protecting Tony’s son.
Away from Hollyoaks, Jeremy was also a contestant on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019, alongside ballroom dancer Brendan Cole.
The TV star hit back at trolls who left negative comments about his performance on the show at the time.
He was also slammed for throwing a ‘tantrum’ on the show, too, causing further remarks on Twitter.
Trolls: One user wrote: ‘I don’t understand what gives people the right to bully people they wouldn’t like it done to them please ignore the haters dont let them win’
He was seen looking disgruntled as judge Louis Walsh told Brendan: ‘I know who you are, you’re from Strictly. But I don’t know who you are.’
This caused Jeremy to throw a strop off stage, as he told his fellow celebrities: ‘Don’t. I’m serious don’t. That was horrible. I don’t want fake bulls**t! They were really mean, that was upsetting.
‘You’re just like, ‘well we’re trying, we’re off the TV in England and people know us and they love us’. It was a bit mean and I don’t like people being mean.’
However, Jeremy poked fun at the reaction to his performance, writing: ‘I can’t believe they made me look fat AND sound out of tune! Bast#rds!’
The actor is married to Lydia Metz and he announced in December she is pregnant after undergoing IVF, with the couple already parents to daughter Scarlett, three.
Hitting back: Jeremy previously hit back at trolls who have attacked him for his performance on The X Factor: Celebrity