Hollyoaks icon Alex Fletcher 'quits E4 soap after 16 years' leaving 'gutted' bosses to plan 'emotional exit' for her beloved character
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Hollyoaks icon Alex Fletcher has reportledy quit her role as Diane Hutchinson on the E4 soap after 16 years.
The actress, 49, who joined the Cheshire based show in 2010 after first finding fame as Jacqui Dixon in Brookside, is said to have left show bosses 'gutted' when she told them her decision late last year.
Plans are now in place for her character's 'emotional' exit bringing an end to her long onscreen partnership with Nick Pickard, who plays husband Tony.
A source told The Sun: 'Alex is one of the show's most popular characters both on and off screen – everyone just adores her.
'She has been at the heart of Hollyoaks alongside Nick for more than a decade and bosses are gutted she's leaving'.
'But they are doing everything they came to come up with a memorable and fitting exit for her much-loved character'.
Hollyoaks icon Alex Fletcher has reportledy quit her role as Diane Hutchinson in the E4 soap after 16 years.
The actress, 49, is said to have left show bosses 'gutted' when she told them her decision late last year (pictured in Hollyoaks)
Daily Mail have contacted Hollyoaks for comment.
It comes just weeks after Chelsee Healey, who has played Goldie McQueen in 2016, was also said to be stepping back from the show.
She temporarily left the series for maternity leave in 2017 and 2024, but this time it's permanent.
A source told The Sun: 'Chelsee has decided it's time to move on from Hollyoaks for good. She's hasn't had a full time contract on the show for some time now.
'She's been doing other stuff on the side for a while – like Waterloo Road – but she's taking the leap fully now.
'It's a new start for this year.'
Prior to Hollyoaks, Chelsee, 37, portrayed Janeece Bryant in BBC school drama Waterloo Road from 2006 to 2012.
Plans are now in place for her character's 'emotional' exit bringing an end to her long onscreen partnership with Nick Pickard, who plays husband Tony (pictured together)
A source said: 'She has been at the heart of Hollyoaks alongside Nick for more than a decade and bosses are gutted she's leaving''
She first found fame on Channel 4's rival soap Brookside as Jacqui Dixon (pictured 1999)
She made a brief return in 2023 and will soon reprise the role again, according to reports.
Last month, Chelsee was pictured with her boyfriend Eddie Rainford for the first time since he was released early from prison after being sent down for two years on drugs charges.
The pair, who share daughter called Cookie, were seen leaving Cibo Italian restaurant in Manchester and packed on the PDA.
In June 2025, Chelsee watched in court as he was jailed for his role in a 'wholesale' drug-dealing operation. He was sentenced for supplying large quantities of cannabis.
Manchester Crown Court heard how former Royal Marine commando Rainford, along with another man Jay Boyd, 28, had allegedly 'headed' an Organised Crime Gang (OCG) that dealt 'multi-kilos' of cannabis.
A source had previously told The Sun how he was expected to get an early release, saying: 'Chelsee has stayed with Eddie since his sentencing.
'She vowed to stay by him for the sake of their daughter and she is really looking forward to their future together. It won't be long until they are a happy family again.
Chelsee Healey is also set to bow out from Hollyoaks - having debuted as Goldie McQueen back in 2016
'Chelsee feels like she will finally be able to move on with her life when he's out.'
A representative for Chelsee was contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.
Chelsee had tried to keep his identity a secret after they began dating, with only his first name being revealed to fans.
She had previously described him as 'The One' and 'marriage material', saying she wanted someone who brought her 'peace and is drama-free'.
But Manchester Crown Court heard how he and Boyd had allegedly 'headed' an Organised Crime Gang that dealt 'multi-kilos' of cannabis.
Gwen Henshaw, prosecuting, described it as 'boutique' operation that involved selling various varieties of the drug, including 'Cali weed', 'Oreo Cookies' and 'Orange Cake'
She said police heard Rainford and Boyd discussing 'taking 33 per cent' at a Costa coffee shop and that taking '4.5' was a 'risk'.
