Kirsty-Leigh Porter has shared a sweet tribute to her Hollyoaks co-star Ruby O'Donnell, who is departing the soap after playing Porter's on-screen daughter for thirteen years. The actor called O'Donnell her "best friend" and "partner in crime" in an emotional social post.
This week has seen Hollyoaks celebrate its 30th birthday, and in true soap style things have been very dramatic with a plane crash killing off a number of characters – including O'Donnell's Peri Lomax. Harrowing scenes saw Peri succumb to her injuries after being crushed by a falling chimney with her mother Leela at her side.
Porter, who plays Leela, posted a collection of pictures alongside her co-star on Instagram.
"I feel so unbelievably lucky to have worked the last 13 incredible years with you, watching you grow in to the most amazing talented young woman, You are more than just my on-screen daughter – you have become my best friend, my partner in crime and a huge part of my life.
"We've shared maaannnyyyy amazing & unforgettable story lines, laughed, cried, screamed, danced, even shared the same boyfriend 👀👀 TWICE."
"Watching you perform will always be one of my favourite things to do, I feel so privileged to have been a part of your time at Hollyoaks and forever grateful to the show for bringing us together," Porter continued
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"Though Peri's time on screen has come to an end, Ruby's is only just beginning and I can’t wait to see it!! Huge love & admiration my girl. Thank you for 13 sensational years. Love you, miss you already."
The pair both joined the soap in 2013, initially playing sisters until it was revealed Leela was actually Peri's biological mum, and had given birth at 14 following a relationship with her teen-boyfriend, and later serial killer, Cameron Campbell.
Related: 13 huge Hollyoaks questions after anniversary week – here’s what happens next
Ruby shared her love for Kirsty-Leigh in a recent interview about her exit with Digital Spy.
"She's just the best. She really is like a real mum, she's looked after me when my mum hasn't been there on set. And doing those final scenes with her, that was the bit that I struggled with the most. I couldn't even look at her when we weren't filming because she was just sobbing and I was just sobbing and I was like, ‘we've got to hold it for the take, we've got to hold it!’
"But finishing it with her, it was just right for Peri’s final moments to be with Leela. It wouldn't have been right to do it with anyone else, you know? It was like a full circle moment, and obviously she's just gutted."
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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