HOLLYOAKS legend Jeremy Edwards has revealed he begged soap bosses to let him return for the 30th anniversary – but claims he’s been totally blanked.
The 54-year-old actor, who played original heartthrob Kurt Benson, says he was desperate to be part of the soap’s milestone celebrations – but never even got a call back.
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Jeremy, who was once dubbed ‘Britain’s Sexiest Man’, is worlds away from his days as leather clad biker Kurt as he hosts demonstrations of fitness gear and homeware viewers can buy on a TV shopping channel.
The one time soap star’s unlikely career comes after he revealed that he had given up on showbiz and was working as a drama teacher after failing to land any TV work since his brief return to Hollyoaks in 2020.
However, Jeremy revealed that he has been asking soap bosses if he could return for the 30th anniversary special episodes this Autumn.
Speaking candidly on the Secure The Insecure podcast, Jeremy said: “I wrote to the casting and said I wanted to go back, because they brought me back, but unfortunately it was still COVID time.
“I know the script went awry and we had to change it, and it was supposed to be there for a lot longer, and I just ripped off Tony and left, which I was not happy about, and I was very vocal about not being happy about that.
“So I asked to go back to the 30th, but I haven’t had a reply, and they’re doing a tour apparently.
“Which Gary Lucy is taking around. There’s a couple of dates for that later this year, in September I think it is. Right, yeah, and I’m not on that either.
“I can’t do anything about that. It’s a shame, though, because I really thought for the 30th, I wanted to do something special because it will always be special to me. And I’ll always be that guy everywhere I go and get it every day.
“Every day someone says the word Hollyoaks to me. Seriously. We’ll do something. Look, I’ll look after you, mate. We’ll do something for the 30th together.”
Soap fans are in for a treat as Hollyoaks celebrates three decades of drama, scandal and shocks with a special live tour this autumn.
Luke Morgan legend Gary Lucy was the first big name confirmed for the 30th anniversary event, which will hit four cities – Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham and London – this October.
The exclusive show promises fans a backstage pass like never before, with cast members spilling behind-the-scenes secrets, re-living jaw-dropping moments and sharing never-before-seen footage from the soap that’s had the nation hooked since 1995.
Hollyoaks has pushed boundaries with groundbreaking storylines and unforgettable characters – becoming the go-to soap for gripping youth-led drama.
And now, as it hits the big 3-0, fans can take a walk down memory lane with the stars who made it all happen.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
Jeremy joined the soap in 1995 as Kurt Benson – known for his charm, rebellious attitude, and passion for music and motorbikes.
His main storylines in Hollyoaks involved his turbulent love life, particularly his relationships with Natasha Anderson, Ruth Osborne, and Kate Patrick, and his rivalry with Rob Hawthorne.
He also faced legal trouble after a confrontation with Spike that led to his being accused of attempted murder.
After his exit in 1999, Jeremy joined the cast of Holby City, where he spent almost five years playing healthcare assistant Danny Shaughnessy.
He did make a brief return to Hollyoaks in 2020 for the soap’s 25th anniversary.
Jeremy was once a regular on TV throughout the nineties and noughties.
The star appeared on series three of Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished in fourth place.
He also appeared as a contestant on Dancing on Ice and Celebrity X Factor.
His other acting roles include a regular on hugely popular CBBC series Millie Inbetween.
But can he get himself back in the Chester village?
Hollyoaks airs Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on E4 or watch on the Channel 4 streaming service.
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