Hollyoaks actress Lysette Anthony has slammed the producers of the soap in a scathing rant as she branded her exit as ‘b******s’.
Lysette, 58, launched her attack as she took to social media on Thursday to address her departure and demand other actors to ‘stand up’ for themselves.
The star’s character, Marnie Nightingale, met her tragic end during Wednesday’s episode following an explosion at the Salon De Thé that left fans of the soap heartbroken.
The soap star is the latest Hollyoaks actor to launch an attack on the show after Sarah Jayne Dunn was fired from her role after refusing to close her OnlyFans.
Moreover, the Channel 4 programme was embroiled in a race row when Rachel Adedeji accused the show of ‘behind the scenes racism’ when she quit last year.
Killed off! Hollyoaks actress Lysette Anthony, 58, slammed the soap in a scathing rant as she branded her exit ‘b******s’ and demanded actors to speak up, on Thursday
Taking to her Instagram , Lysette fumed: ‘There’s been so much that’s been amazing and being allowed to just inhabit, well build this creative, this crazy woman, not crazy but.
‘Bryan Kirkwood, [producer], there’s been some stuff, hmmm, not so great.’
As she hinted at a possible on-set divide she added: ‘But everyone says the same thing about you. You love the show, and you can’t help yourself, you love talent.
RIP: Her popular character, Marnie Nightingale, met her tragic end in Wednesdays episode following an explosion at the Salon De Thé that left fans of the soap heartbroken
‘And you’ve given me teflon confidence, and also the speed we have to work and all the extra stuff that started coming and marching our way. To dismantle, in the name of equality. It’s just all such b******s.
‘You’ve got some amazing actors, phenomenal directors coming through, and there’s just this, there’s other people. Well, you know.’
Speaking to her colleagues she said: ‘My wish for you guys is that you demand to be the best, because the only people that are stopping you, you know exactly what it is.
‘And you the fans, you demand. Because it’s an amazing show. And it’s got an important remit. But stop trying to cancel everything, and all this segregation, just no.
Divide? She said: ‘The speed we have to work and all the extra stuff that started coming and marching our way. To dismantle, in the name of equality. It’s just all such b******s’
She continued: ‘And I tell you something else about getting older, you want people like me, women like me, who have decided to carve out a world.
‘Don’t be afraid to be the best, to work as a team, don’t be afraid when you spot someone who is trying to just unpick anything.’
As she addressed her exit she said: ‘It should never have happened, it did, and I’m gone.
‘I can’t not be proud. I think it’s important to stand up for the things you believe in, it’s not easy. Come on seek love, seek life and excellence.’
Missed: Lysette paid tribute to her character Marnie as she said her goodbye’s and blew a kiss as messages of support flooded in from her fans
In a later video, Lysette paid tribute to her character Marnie as she said her goodbye’s and blew a kiss before adding that she ‘never got to send flowers’.
Messages of support flooded in for the actress as fans commented and agreed that Marnie ‘will be missed.’
Lysette simply penned: ‘My heart is broken..’
Upset: In a later video, Lysette paid tribute to her character Marnie as she said her goodbye’s and blew a kiss before adding that she ‘never got to send flowers’
Last year, Lysette quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row.
She was branded ‘actual trash’ by Rachel Adedeji, 28, who quit the soap following accusations of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism.
Lysette deactivated her profile after her former co-star Charlie Clapham, 28, shared a screenshot of a text allegedly from her hitting out at cast members who supported Rachel.
Upset: Hollyoaks star Lysette Anthony has quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row
In the messages, Lysette appeared to claim stars who supported Rachel were ‘traitors,’ before adding: ‘Sorry but we’re not going to have a job to come back to if this stuff keeps being disseminated.’
Charlie – who played Freddie Roscoe on Hollyoaks from 2013 to 2017 – shared the series of messages which appeared to be discussing Rachel’s decision to speak out about her experience on the soap on Saturday.
Rachel has accused the show of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism after criticising their response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement, leading soap bosses to apologise and announce a plan to ‘stamp out discrimination.’
In the messages, Lysette – who joined the soap in 2016 – wrote: ‘Well, to be fair they both have that embittered, traitor vibe going on.
Row: Lysette was called ‘actual trash’ by Rachel Adedeji, 28, who quit the soap following accusations of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism
Drama: Ex-Hollyoaks star Charlie Clapham shared a Whatsapp exchange in which Lysette appeared to make the comments relating to Rachel’s recent claims
Fury: Equally furious at Lysette’s comments, Rachel responded to Charlie’s tweet with a GIF of someone throwing rubbish into a bin
‘Sorry but we’re not going to have a job to come back to if this stuff keeps being disseminated.’
Re-posting the messages Charlie angrily posted: ‘Dear @chezLysette if supporting a former castmate, whilst she speaks of being racially discriminated against, makes me a traitor… then so be it.
‘As for embittered, you’re currently finishing (finished) where I started out. Salty much? – Best, CC/FR.’
Equally furious at Lysette’s comments, Rachel responded to Charlie’s tweet with a GIF of someone throwing rubbish into a bin.
She wrote: ‘@chezLysette you are actual trash.. Charlie, you are a King and a true ally!! Love you my bro! X x.’
Fuming: Charlie shared the messages with a tweet slamming Lysette’s comments, which was quickly supported by Rachel and several other stars (pictured in May 2016)
MailOnline contacted representatives for Lysette Anthony for comment. Representatives for Hollyoaks and Adedeji declined to comment at the time.
Rachel confirmed she had quit Hollyoaks after four years on the soap, with bosses announcing her final scenes will air later this year.
The former X Factor star filmed her exit earlier this year before filming was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Rachel made the decision to leave the show in 2020, with a Hollyoaks spokesman saying the show was ‘saddened’ by her departure.
The announcement came one day after Hollyoaks also released a statement in response to Rachel’s accusations of racism while working on the show.
Bosses detailed they were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by issues detailed by Rachel, and stated the soap has a ‘zero tolerance on racism or any form of discrimination.’
The show detailed a series of steps they have launched in order to ‘stamp out discrimination.’
HOLLYOAKS’ STATEMENT IN FULL
‘Hollyoaks has been deeply shocked and saddened by issues that have been brought to our attention over the weekend.
‘Lime Pictures strives to have zero tolerance of racism or any form of discrimination across all of its shows but it is clear we have further work to do.
‘We must stamp out implicit bias which means calling out racism wherever and whenever we see it.
‘We will continue to add to our action plan as we continue and broaden our dialogue with cast and staff.
‘We are reaching out to all of our cast and staff that have raised matters to make sure that we address individual issues and concerns.
‘We have asked all cast, staff and freelancers to share with us any further issues of concern or instances of unacceptable behaviour that they have not previously raised.
‘We are working with unconscious bias trainers to augment Lime’s all staff training to help address concerns raised by cast and staff.
‘All BAME staff, freelancers and cast will be offered mentoring from Lime’s senior management.
‘We will build on our work towards making Lime as diverse and inclusive as possible across all aspects of recruitment and talent retention, on and off screen.
‘Lime’s BAME writers and directors schemes will be reviewed and augmented to drive greater inclusivity within the industry.
‘We are undertaking an immediate and in depth review of company and cast liaison across Lime.
‘We will be producing a Hollyoaks podcast where our black cast will share their experiences on racism to their audience.
‘We are very conscious that we need to do more and are committed to making changes that we need to make.
‘The onus is upon our company collectively and us all as individuals within our community to tackle racism, and it is a responsibility which all of us here at Hollyoaks are taking on fully.’
The statement came after Rachel slammed the show’s response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement.
The star took to her Twitter to say she doesn’t agree with Hollyoaks’ recent post addressing the movement, noting it wasn’t progressive after revealing she was aware of racial slurs and injustices happening on set.
Hollyoaks uploaded a video of actress Kelle Bryan, who plays Martine Deveraux, discussing the movement’s issues.
The surge in interest of the Black Lives Matter movement was kickstarted by the senseless killing of George Floyd, who died after a white policeman, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Racism: The statement comes after Rachel slammed the show’s response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement, detailing racist incidents she says happened backstage
This prompted Rachel to talk about her own experience of racism.
The soap star said she was ‘disappointed’ and directly called the show out over racist incidents she says happened during her time on Hollyoaks.
Actress Mandip Gill, who played Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks until she left in 2015, replied to Rachel’s statement with a series of clapping emojis.
And Karl Collins, who played Rachel’s onscreen father Louis Loveday in Hollyoaks until 2019, showed his support and praised her ‘bravery.’
Amanda, who portrayed Holly Cunningham on the show from 2013 to 2019, took to Twitter and Instagram on Sunday to implore her former colleagues to put forth a more concerted effort, amid protests over racial injustice sweeping the globe.
A Hollyoaks spokesperson previously said: ‘We are really concerned to read Rachel’s comments on social media about Hollyoaks this evening. We will be in touch with Rachel directly.’
Missive: Former Hollyoaks castmember Amanda Clapham also took to Twitter and Instagram on Sunday to implore her former colleagues to put forth a more concerted effort
Lysette appeared to reference the row during her latest Instagram post after her character was killed off from the long-running show.
Posting a picture of a news article which mentioned the race row, Lysette said: ‘A word to the wise.. “seemingly”.. suck on that.. because I am encircled by lawyers – thank GOD! Rule of LAW at last…!
‘After 18 months of humiliation, of Hell; Gagged, silenced, suspended, fined .. oh do I have a story to tell. Ask yourselves this. Why oh why have Hollyoaks EXTENDED my contract a few weeks back until the end of February..? RIP Marnie..etc.. boo hoo.. ??
‘Lime Pictures – you’re a TV production company not Tin-Pot Dictatorship. Clear up your sh**, then form an orderly line and APOLOGISE.. to myself and my son. What we have been put through beggars belief…
‘I understand that Mao is having a bit of a thing in China. But Childwall? Personally I am SO OVER this ‘Cultural Revolution’ gig- lite. You certainly excell at forcing Dreamers to crawl. And as for the DISGUSTING sign you have FORCED me to wear for 18 months.. May you rot in hell…
‘I have been warned by speaking out I may “never work in television again”. Ok. Fine. I am retiring. Go f**k yourselves.. my days of abuse are OVER. SHAME ON YOU.. Seek ❤️, seek light..Lysette Anthony’
Posting a picture of a news article which mentioned the race row, Lysette said: ‘A word to the wise.. “seemingly”.. suck on that.. because I am encircled by lawyers – thank GOD! Rule of LAW at last…!
Lysette appeared to reference the row during her latest Instagram post after her character was killed off from the long-running show’
Lysette received a weath of support from former co-stars and fans in the comments section of her latest point.
This included Sarah-Jayne, who posted a series of clapping and heart emojis.
Earlier this month, Sarah took a swipe at Hollyoaks bosses as she demonstrated the identical nature of her approved lads’ mags shoot and banned OnlyFans content.
Sarah was sacked by the Channel 4 soap after she launched her own profile on the subscription site, despite receiving approval for all her racy shoots in print.
Highlighting the hypocrisy, Sarah Jayne shared side by side images of the ‘almost identical’ images she has been creating by herself, noting the only difference is that she now has control.
Spot the difference: Sarah took a swipe at Hollyoaks bosses on Wednesday as she compared her OnlyFans content (bottom) to racy lads’ mags shoots (top) that were approved by show bosses
In the top image, the actress posed for a magazine shoot in red lingerie and heels, flashing a glimpse of her peachy derriere, while in the bottom OnlyFans shot she also put her curves on display, this time in a black G-string.
Alongside the shots she noted: ‘Two almost identical photos taken just under 4 years apart.
‘The first photo: Arranged by someone else for a National publication, style of shoot decided by someone else, any editing/photoshop done without my approval, copyright of image (of me) owned by someone else, exclusive interview as agreement of shoot, no financial benefit to myself (but usually a payment is made in this type of agreement). The control, power and decisions in someone else’s hands.
‘The second photo: Taken by me for my OnlyFans platform, choice of image decided by me, zero editing or photoshop, copyright of image owned by me, despite no interview necessary for this particular shot when I do interviews now it’s because I want to, financial gains controlled by me and go to me. The control, power and decisions made by me.
‘Interesting. #knowyourworth #ownyourpower #iykyk #actress #model #of #mummy #fitat40 #takingbackcontrol #motivation.’
Speaking out: Highlighting the hypocrisy, Sarah Jayne shared side by side images of the ‘almost identical’ images she has been creating by herself
The post comes after Sarah Jayne, who played Mandy Richardson on Hollyoaks, allegedly turned down the opportunity to return to the Channel 4 soap after she was sacked over her OnlyFans account.
According to reports, she has turned her back on the show, despite bosses leaving the door open for her by not killing off her character of 25 years.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said the former soap star has no desire to make a comeback, after walking away from the show after being given an ultimatum over the X-rated site.
They said: ‘Now Sarah has had some breathing space following the row she has decided she definitely doesn’t want to go back.
‘Her OnlyFans account is massive and she is in the top one percent of worldwide creators on the platform. Sarah’s fans are loving it and so is she.
‘The door is closed as far as she is concerned and she will not be going back.’
Sarah explained her decision to join the 18+ site as: ‘I’m simply moving my racier images to another platform.
‘This is a decision I’ve thought long and hard about. This is about taking control of your own images, your own choices and what you want to do with your body.’
Decisive: According to reports Sarah Jayne has turned her back on Hollyoaks, despite bosses leaving the door open for her by not killing off her character of 25 years (pictured with co-star Ashley Taylor Dawson)
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