[Arneldo]

Two of Hollyoaks' leading actors are to quit the show at the end of the month in a dramatic fire plot, DS can exclusively reveal.

Chris Fountain and Jamie Lomas, who play the show's resident bad boys Justin Burton and Warren Fox respectively, will bow out in a storyline which sees their characters caught in a fire at The Loft.

Warren's past comes back to haunt him when an old adversary returns to the village and with neither prepared to bury the hatchet and move on, his enemy decides to settle their score once and for all. As The Loft blazes, Justin becomes embroiled in the incident and viewers will be left wondering who lives and who dies.

The move comes just three months into Lucy Allan's reign as producer and echoes Bryan Kirkwood's decision to blow up The Dog pub and kill off twin Sophie Burton (Connie Powney) when he took over as the soap's chief in 2006.

Speaking of his decision to leave, Fountain said: "I've been at Hollyoaks for five years now and I've enjoyed exploring and playing the many different sides of Justin. He's been a fantastic character to play and so much has happened to him! I’m actually surprised he’s lasted this long!

"I'll be sad to leave as I've had some great times and gained a lot of good friends at work but I personally feel that it's the right time for me - and Justin - to move on…"


Lomas said of his decision: "I've had a fantastic three years at Hollyoaks but having fully explored the character, I felt the time was right for me to move on. I'm delighted to be going out as part of such a dramatic storyline and my final scenes are some of the most dramatic I've ever filmed. I'm sure viewers will be hooked!

He added: "I've had a great time playing Warren and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Hollyoaks cast where I've made some brilliant friends and worked with some great people."

The pair are due to finish filming at the end of the month, while their characters will remain on screen until the final week of May.

Fountain, 21, joined Hollyoaks in 2003 and has been involved in some of the soap's major storylines including Justin's affair with Becca Dean (Ali Bastian), the 'Who Pushed Clare?' saga and baby Charlie's paternity.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Lomas signed to play Warren in 2006 and quickly became one of the show's central characters during the Kirkwood era, which saw Warren kill Sean Kennedy and frame Jake Dean for the murder, embark on an affair with Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn) and apparently suffocate his fiancée Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee).

Last week, it was announced that Emma Rigby had extended her contract with Hollyoaks by an additional six months, despite originally indicating her intention to leave at the end of this month. She will now continue filming until October.

A source told DS: "Both Emma and Chris were due to leave at the same time, but when Emma decided to stay on until towards the end of the year, producers had to re-work the storylines dramatically."

DS

[Billy]

It's Claire that does it.

[Arneldo]

I dont want Justin to leave - I wanted Ste to go. I hate him with a passion.

The show ain't been as good since Claire and JP left.

[Billy]

I hate Ste too, although he has allowed Ashley Davies (Amy) to show what she can really do.

Not liking the show atm in general, I think its went a bit downhill.

[Arneldo]

There has too many boring pointless characters introduced. All of the Roy family are pointless addition to show, can't say I make much of Zak's sister Hayley or that Loretta either.

[Billy]

I quite like Loretta and Dom. It's nice to have a couple who dont actually do a whole lot.

Must admit though the Roys arent v good, only Anita is half decent, and thats down to Theresa.

[Shaun]

Oh good. I don't like Warren at all, and Justin's boring.

[Tom]

Originally posted by Billy
It's Claire that does it.

Really?

What problem did she have with Warren? (only really started watching in the middle of the storyline where she tried to kill Max)

Anyway glad they're both going. Justin's exit is long over due and I think its about time Warren went. I'd love it if Louise came back after he was dead

[Dom:D]

Noooo!!

[Billy]

Originally posted by Tom

Really?

What problem did she have with Warren? (only really started watching in the middle of the storyline where she tried to kill Max)

Anyway glad they're both going. Justin's exit is long over due and I think its about time Warren went. I'd love it if Louise came back after he was dead

I dont remember what she done, but they always had an on off relationship, ending when Claire kidnapped Katy because she thought Warren tried to kill her.

[Gemmer-x]

Aw i love these two!

[Princess]

I didn't know Hannah was leaving!!!!!!!! I fecking love her and argh her and Justin just got together,nooooo.

[MrGaryy]

NOT JUSTIN.

[Princess]

Originally posted by Arneldo
There has too many boring pointless characters introduced. All of the Roy family are pointless addition to show, can't say I make much of Zak's sister Hayley or that Loretta either.

But Loretta and Dom are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute! They so work as a couple.

I'm loving Hollyoaks atm for all the cute couples-Dom and Loretta,Justin and Hannah(hopefully),Elliot and Layla(hopefuly),Zac and Michaela,Mercy and Mal and Carmel and Calvin if they make up!

[Locke.]

Haven't watched it for about a year, but Warren was the best character so killing him is a mistake.

[Tom4784]

I think they are good characters but they need a break since I think they are getting a little stale. It makes me wonder, what does this mean for Spencer? I hope he doesn't leave I think he's great. I hope the door is left open for them but by the sounds of it, it looks like at least one of them is gonna die.

[*mazedsalv**]

Damn, those are one of the only 2 males that i can actually stand. Cant they get rid of Ryhs instead?? He's pointless.

[*mazedsalv**]

Originally posted by Princess

But Loretta and Dom are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute! They so work as a couple.

I'm loving Hollyoaks atm for all the cute couples-Dom and Loretta,Justin and Hannah(hopefully),Elliot and Layla(hopefuly),Zac and Michaela,Mercy and Mal and Carmel and Calvin if they make up!

Got to say I think im actually in love with Loretta!!

[ThisIsMarie]

Thank ****** !!!

WOOHOO!


Finally! No more Justin !!!!




!

[Indierock&roll]

omg no not justin and warren there like proper main people in it!

[Annie]

I love Warren :bawl ing:

[Marsh.]

I say put a bomb under the village and start again.

[Spike]

They are 2 good characters but it might be a good thing getting rid of them
The show is really poor at the moment, its the worst its been for a good 3 years, its not filled the major gaps left by Claire, Max, John Paul, its feeling stale and flat.
The show needs some fresh characters to replace the current ones and hopefully that will now happen with a few of the major characters leaving.

[amydropdead_x]

Justins storyline at the moment with Hannah and everything is really boring and does my head in so I'm glad he's going out, but I dont want Warren to go