Hollyoaks newcomer Annabelle Davis "gutted" over co-star exit

Hollyoaks spoilers follow.

Hollyoaks newcomer Annabelle Davis has revealed she was left “gutted” following Emily Burnett’s exit from the soap.

Burnett, who played Olivia Bradshaw, saw her character leave the village following a dramatic Christmas storyline, which saw the return of Hunter McQueen (Theo Graham).

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Davis, whose casting was announced last month, will make her debut as Lacey Lloyd in the coming weeks, but expressed disappointment at being unable to work with Burnett again following their appearance on CBBC’s The Dumping Ground.

“Emily Burnett [and I] were on the same show and we used to share a flat,” she told Inside Soap. “She left Hollyoaks the week before I started. I was gutted to miss her, although she’s given me lots of advice, which I really appreciate,” she added.

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Speaking about her upcoming debut, which sees her character join a new house alongside best friend Rayne (Jemma Donovan), Davis said: “It’s a whirlwind of emotions and events. The chaos baffles Lacey a bit, but she likes everyone she lives with.

“Rayne has her eye on Romeo and Lacey supports that - he seems like a nice guy,” she continued. “Prince is funny, and there’s a possibility Nadira and Lacey will get closer later on as they have a lot of similar qualities.”

Upon announcing her departure last month, Burnett, who had appeared on the soap for 18 months, said: “I have met some of the most beautiful humans, I have laughed a lot! And I have learned so much, professionally and personally.

It has also been the epicentre for some massive life changes for me, and the support and love of those humans around me has been something I will never take for granted,” she continued. “Thank you to these humans, and all of the humans not in these photos, you know who you are. Over and out Hollyoaks, and here's to the next adventure. I can't wait for 2023.”

Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.