axed ‘Just cruel’ rant Hollyoaks fans as iconic character is killed off – despite actor wanting to ‘stay on soap forever’

Viewers of the Channel 4 soap opera were left reeling when Ethan Williams appeared to fall to his death shortly after tying the knot with Sienna Blake.

Matthew James Bailey’s character’s lifeless body was seen atop a vehicle outside of the wedding venue after falling from a balcony above.

The actor was axed from the show as part of the recent cast cull owing to budget cuts at the soap and its home, Channel 4.

However, it appeared that it was not a fall that Ethan had and it was more than likely that he was pushed from the height by an as-yet unidentified assailant.

With his death now confirmed, furious fans have already begun to hit out at the soap and the major loss.

Writing on X – formerly Twitter – after the scenes played out, one fan said: “I will forgive the show. But I am also absolutely fuming. It’s abhorrent how badly the show is treating the previous cast. They have to pull something major out because a lot of the good will is gone.”

Another added: “Love seeing how many fans are angry over Ethan’s axing. Can’t we start a petition to bring him back or something?”

A third penned: “It was actually so cruel of Hollyoaks to get a popular couple back together, have them get married and kill one of them all in the same episode, absolute savagery from #Hollyoaks there.”

Before somebody else echoed: “I hope the actor who played Ethan knows that most of the viewers was raging he’s killed off, same goes for the actor who played James too.”

“I’ve made it clear that this is my home and I never thought it would end the way that it did.

“I feel like Ethan had a lot more potential and growth in him. I would openly say when I thought it was time for him to step away but, to be honest, I don’t think it was the right time.

“I don’t think we were finished. So no, it wasn’t my choice. I would never walk away from the show.

“As long as the fans wanted me here and were enjoying what I did, I would always give absolutely everything to this show.”

He further added that he was left “surprised and shocked” by the decision to kill him off the show given fan excitement surrounding his marriage to Sienna.

Matthew added: “I was surprised. I do understand that sacrifices need to be made – it’s unfortunately part of the job and if they thought that was the right decision then I can’t really argue with that.

“I remember going into the meeting and seeing the expression change and just being gutted.

“You can tell what’s coming from the tone of someone’s voice and the sentence: ‘Unfortunately, we won’t be continuing with Ethan’ will stay with me for a while.

“Hearing those words was heartbreaking. I didn’t think it was his time to leave and I was really shocked by the decision.”