After months of speculation, Hollyoaks has confirmed Diane Hutchinson’s (Alex Fletcher) exit storyline, which will see the character facing a serious health diagnosis.
The announcement was confirmed on the show’s official Instagram account, where Hollyoak revealed that Diane will confide in Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) and Leela Lomax (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) about being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
In upcoming episodes of the soap opera, Diane will also confide in her husband Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) that the cancer is advanced and that treatment may not be effective.
The storyline will focus on how the Hutchinson family, particularly the children, Ant (Brook Debio), Ro (Leo Cole) and Dee Dee (Chloe Atkinson) cope with Diane’s diagnosis.
Speaking about the storyline, Diane’s actress Alex Fletcher said, “This storyline has been a completely new challenge for me and something I’ve never explored before. Unfortunately, in some way or another many of us have been touched by cancer. I know my family certainly has this past year so the storyline can be very relatable.”
She continued, “At times it’s been difficult to film but I’m glad that Hollyoaks are telling this story and raising awareness about ovarian cancer, with the hope that it encourages people to prioritize their health.”
In an interview with BBC, Fletcher said she had “mixed emotions” about leaving the show.
“I’ve got real mixed emotions as you can imagine, But it was my choice – I just thought the character has done everything,” she said.
Fletcher joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2010. She previously appeared in Brookside as Jacqui Dixon from 1990 until the series finale in 2003.
Over the years, Diane’s storylines have included her turbulent relationship with Rob O’Connor and helping raise his children, Sinead and Finn. Her stories have also focused on her marriage to Tony raising their children, and the revelation that one of their children was swapped at birth. Diane later embarked on a relationship with Tony’s father and has navigated struggles with OCD and alcoholism.
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Hollyoaks airs Monday through Wednesday’s on Channel4.com and E4 in the UK with episodes broadcasting one week later for international audiences officially on YouTube.