RITA Simons appears to have become the latest star to be axed by Hollyoaks after her character was seemingly killed off months after arriving.
The former EastEnders star became a star signing for the Channel 4 soap opera when it was revealed that she would be joining the programme years on from her infamous stint as Roxy Mitchell.
Rita made her debut in the role of Marie Fielding earlier this year but it seems her time in the Chester village has already come to an end after it was revealed she was “dead” as part of the soap’s explosive stunt week ahead of the show’s time jump.
As part of cost-saving measures, Channel 4 was forced to slash Hollyoaks‘ budget and cut its episodes down to just three a week.
It meants that at least 20 stars had to be given the boot with huge names including Owen Warner, Jamie Lomas, Stephanie Waring, Ellis Hollins and Jamelia all having been given the boot from the programme.
Now it appears that Rita, one of the more famous faces amongst the cast, has been forced to follow suit as she was left badly injured as a result of Cleo McQueen’s motorcycle accident.
In the dramatic episode, Cleo lost control of the bike and it cavorted through the village before hurtling into the McQueen household.
It saw Marie badly injured as she appeared to be impaled as she limped out of the house.
She could then be seen lifeless on the ground before being taken away to hospital.
Whilst being checked over by the medics, it appeared that Marie’s condition had gone from bad to worse as it was revealed she was in a bad way.
It then seemingly appeared that she had died as her son Abe spoke to Cleo in the hospital as he ranted at her for being responsible for the death of his mum.
Hollyoaks fans know that Abe has been abusing Cleo and he made a chilling threat that he hoped she ended up dead too just like Marie.
Next week, the soap will move forward by a year where the residents of Chester will be seen coming to terms with the impact of the catastrophic week with details surrounding Marie likely to be laid bare.
Elsewhere, Cleo’s motorcycle crash claimed the live of another victim.
Suzanne Ashworth died in the arms of her daughter Frankie shortly after admitting to her child that she believed her amid the uncovering of Frankie’s traumatic sexual abuse at the hands of her twin brother JJ.
Suzanne passed on after being crushed and left trapped under the bike.
HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show?
Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members.
It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members.
Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X.
The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page.
It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull.
Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia.
The soap’s resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale.
Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon.
Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years.
JJ was left floored when he received the news at the hospital amid the ongoing family turmoil.
Moreover, a THIRD death appeared to be revealed when Gregory Finnegan’s character James Nightingale was seemingly left burning in a car explosion.
Having just discovered he did not have a brain tumour, James was optimistic about his future with Ste.
The car they were in was later blown up after villain Blue – revealed to be X – tampered with the car as part of his revenge on Warren Fox.
With Greg expected to leave the soap too, it seems only a matter of time until his death is confirmed.
