The cast of Holloyaks have been reportedly been summoned to attend one-on-one meetings before filming resumes, as show bosses deal with a series of scandals.
According to The Sun, the recent racism row, sudden departures of two castmembers and the resulting fallout has left producers eager to iron out all issues.
A source said: ‘Bosses have been meeting with the cast one on one and have called as many cast members as they can into meetings to speak about racism and bullying on set. They’ve promised everyone that works there that changes will be made.’
Delay: The cast of Holloyaks have been reportedly been summoned to attend one-on-one meetings after a series of scandals. Pictured is Rachel Adedeji, who recently quit the soap
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Hollyoaks for comment.
Earlier this month, the cast were said to be ‘at war’ following Rachel Adedeji’s accusations of behind-the-scenes racism and claims that co-star Lysette Anthony is ‘actual trash’ for allegedly deeming co-stars who defended her ‘traitors’.
Also, Hollyoaks star Malique Thompson-Dwyer faced backlash for attending an illegal rave in Daisy Nook Park, Failsworth, while Stephanie Davis revealed she had quit the show following a decade-long run.
Bosses are now reportedly having a ‘string of meetings’ as there is a ‘real divide’ between the cast.
Scandals: According to The Sun , the recent racism row, sudden departures of two castmembers and the resulting fallout has left producers eager to iron out all issues
A source told The Sun: ‘They’re having a string of meetings as it’s one thing after another. The cast is at war, there is a lot of tension over Lysette’s recent comments. Some cast have threatened to quit if something isn’t done about it.
‘And with Stephanie and Rachel quitting bosses are worried others will follow them out of the door. It’s utter chaos – every week it’s some new issue.’
The source added that the cast has ‘freedom’ over their social media channels but breaking lockdown rules and laws is ‘not OK’.
While the stars are said to be ‘dreading’ returning to filming as some members aren’t aware they’ve ‘done wrong’ or ‘upset’ others.
Earlier this month, Lysette Anthony quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row.
Drama: It was claimed the delay to restart filming comes after stars ‘threatened to quit’ over recent events (pictured: Stephanie Davis in 2019, who quit her role earlier this month)
The actress, 56, who plays Marnie Nightingale, was branded ‘actual trash’ by Rachel Adedeji, 28, who quit the soap days after alleging experiences of racism on the set.
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 has publicly supported Rachel.
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 accused the show of behind-the-scenes racism after criticising their response to the Black Lives Matter movement, leading soap bosses to apologise and announce a plan to ‘stamp out discrimination.’
‘At war’: The cast is said to be ‘at war’ following Rachel’s (pictured in 2019) recent accusations of on-set racism and claims that co-star Lysette Anthony is ‘actual trash’
In the messages, Lysette – who joined the soap in 2016 – wrote: ‘Well, to be fair they both have that embittered, traitor vibe going on.
‘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.
Chaos: Malique Thompson-Dwyer (pictured) faced backlash for attending an illegal rave in Daisy Nook Park, Failsworth, while Stephanie revealed she had quit the show
She wrote: ‘@chezLysette you are actual trash.. Charlie, you are a King and a true ally!! Love you my bro! X x.’
MailOnline contacted representatives for Lysette Anthony for comment at the time. Representatives for Hollyoaks and Adedeji declined to comment.
This month, 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 last year, with a Hollyoaks spokesman saying the show was ‘saddened’ by her departure.
Upset: Earlier this month, Lysette Anthony quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row
Drama: Ex-Hollyoaks star Charlie Clapham shared a Whatsapp exchange in which Lysette appeared to make the comments relating to Rachel’s recent claims
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 will begin a phased return to filming on July 13th, it was recently confirmed, as the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased by the government.
A spokesperson for the soap told MailOnline: ‘As previously announced on Monday 8th June, Hollyoaks is currently in pre-production and returning to phased filming on 13th July.
Fuming: Charlie Clapham shared the messages with a tweet slamming Lysette’s comments, which was quickly supported by Rachel and several other stars (pictured in May 2016)
Fury: Equally furious at Lysette’s comments, Rachel responded to Charlie’s tweet with a GIF of someone throwing rubbish into a bin
‘All cast and crew will attend a safety induction to familiarise themselves with the revised way of working prior to production re-starting.’
According to The Sun, the Channel 4 programme will air on twice a week until September, before going up to four episodes a week and then back to five in 2021 as a result of the planned phased return.
The publication also claimed the delay to restart filming comes after stars reportedly ‘threatened to quit’ the Channel 4 soap amid the show’s racism row.
MailOnline contacted Channel 4 for comment at the time.
The statement comes 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.
A recent 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.
This prompted Rachel to speak out publicly about her experiences with 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.
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
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.’
Meanwhile, Stephanie Davis revealed on Monday that she had quit Hollyoaks after 10 years on the soap as Sinead O’Connor.
Statement: 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
The 27-year-old actress admitted it was ‘not what she wanted but what she knew was right’.
Alongside an image that read ‘goals: be happy’, the actress wrote: ‘Sometimes we make decisions based not on what we want but what we know is right!
‘I have loved bringing Sinead into your homes for the past ten years but it’s with a heavy heart I have decided to leave Hollyoaks and now looking forward to working on new and exciting projects. Excited!’
When contacted by MailOnline, representatives for Stephanie declined to comment.
A Hollyoaks spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘In mutual agreement with Lime Pictures Stephanie Davis is leaving her role as Sinead O’Connor on Hollyoaks.
Cast: Pictured are (L-R, front) Richard Blackwood, Kelle Bryan, Imran Adams, and Rachel Adedeji, as well as (L-R back) Trevor A Toussaint, Bobby Gordon, and Andrea Ali
‘We would like to thank Stephanie for her huge contribution to the show and the enjoyment her character Sinead has brought to fans.’
It’s not the only drama the soap has faced over the past week as on Monday, Malique Thompson-Dwyer took to Instagram Stories after he faced backlash for attending an illegal rave in Daisy Nook Park, Failsworth.
The 22-year-old actor had filmed himself at the Quarantine Rave which was attended by 2000 people and saw a 20-year-old man die of a suspected drug overdose.
He posted a now-deleted video from his bedroom in which he said: ‘Yo, I’ve just come on here to give a quick message.
‘First of all, I apologise to anyone I may have offended, but let me just get one thing straight.
End of an era: Stephanie Davis recently that she had quit Hollyoaks after 10 years on the soap as Sinead O’Connor (pictured in soap still)
Reluctant move? The 27-year-old actress admitted it was ‘not what she wanted but what she knew was right’
‘I’ve got family members that have actually passed away from this coronavirus. So yo, I am in this as well. So don’t go on at me like I am not in this as well.
‘But it’s funny how everyone is never saying anyone positive about me. It’s always bad boy Malique this…
‘They never want to say anything positive and it’s funny because at least I am not out there p***ing on war memorials. Racist c**ts.’
The day before, Malique had shared clips on his Stories as he walked through the forest at the rave.
He could be heard saying: ‘There’s a rave going on innit, can you hear the music?’
Malique is best known for playing Prince McQueen in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks Hollyoaks from 2016 to 2019.
A spokesperson for the actor declined to comment further to MailOnline.
Backlash: Malique Thompson-Dwyer took to Instagram Stories after he faced backlash for attending an illegal rave in Daisy Nook Park, Failsworth