Nicole Barber-Lane has thanked ‘Hollyoaks’ fans for their support after confirming she has left the soap after 13 years.
The 48-year-old star’s character Myra McQueen surprisingly departed the village in last night’s (26.03.19) E4 episode just hours after she was jilted at the altar by her fiancée Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) – but Nicole has hinted she could reprise her role at some point.
Speaking in a video on the ‘Hollyoaks’ Instagram account, she said: "I’ve just had my final scene and I will be leaving you guys now and this beautiful, wonderful cast village we have.
"I just want to say thank you for taking Myra to your hearts and she will live in my heart, and she’s taught me a lot.
"I hope to see you again some other time, in some other life.
"Or maybe again as Myra, you just don’t know.
"I can feel nothing but love for ‘Hollyoaks’ – it is the best. Thank you."
While Nicole "misses" her former ‘Oaks’ co-stars, she is now keen to "do something different" in her career.
She said in a statement: "I loved working at ‘Hollyoaks’. I miss everybody, It just feels like home, but I feel like I need to do something different for me. I’m so proud of the show and I love it to bits.
"My favourite storyline this time around was Myra meeting Sally and that relationship developing in to what it became.
"Also, the little partnership that I had with Lysette Anthony (Marnie Nightingale) that was precious, I love it all."
Annie has paid tribute to her former colleague, admitting she couldn’t hold back the tears as she watched Myra’s exit scenes.
She wrote on Twitter: "In bits myself. Working with the fab @nicolebarberlan has been brilliant… such fun. Miss her terribly…. Sally and Myra just weren’t to be… (sic)"
Nicole replied: "What a great journey though darling thank you so much for being my sparring partner you certainly are a wonderful actress (sic)"
A message on the ‘Hollyoaks’ Instagram read: "It’s the end of an era… we can’t believe that Myra’s left #Hollyoaks! Let’s all raise a cup to @nicole_barberlane! All the best for the future Nicole! (sic)"