[Scarlett.]

I hope the woman decides to keep it

HOLLYOAKS is facing the axe because of falling ratings and failed characters, insiders revealed yesterday.

New Channel 4 chief Jay Hunt - who takes up her post next week - is said to have the teen soap in her sights.

Back from the dead ... Warren Fox, aka Jamie Lomas
Back from the dead ... Warren Fox, aka Jamie Lomas

A source told TV Biz last night: "Jay wants to make her mark on the channel when she arrives and Hollyoaks is a definite target for her.

"There has been unease within Channel 4 for a while about the soap's direction."

Panicked chiefs at production company Lime Pictures - which also makes ITV2's The Only Way Is Essex - moved to try to breathe new life into the Chester-based show on Thursday ahead of former BBC1 controller Jay's arrival.

They replaced series producer Paul Marquess, who had been in the job for only a year but had been criticised for axing 11 characters and bringing in new faces who viewers do not like.

Ratings for the show - on air since 1995 - have recently dipped below 1million.

Marquess also brought back villain Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who fans had been led to think was dead.

The source said: "Lime bosses are panicking that Jay Hunt will axe Hollyoaks as it is the biggest show they make.

"They hope that by changing producers and shaking things up it will give the show a new lease of life and prove to Jay that she should keep it."

Last night a C4 spokeswoman said Marquess had only a 12-month contract - and insisted the soap, also starring Gemma Merna had a future.

She added: "Hollyoaks remains an important part of the Channel 4 schedule."

The Sun