Hollyoaks in crisis as three top bosses out amid backstage drama and plunging ratings
HOLLYOAKS has been plunged into crisis with three top bosses axed amid record low ratings and chaos on set.
The Channel 4 soap is fighting for survival after executive producer Lucy Allan, series producer Philip Dodds, and script and storyline executive Josie Day were given their marching orders.
The Sun can exclusively reveal how the three were summoned to meetings yesterday and axed.
A source said: "The set is in chaos. Cast and crew were clearly unhappy with the way things are going. Morale never been this low.
"Ratings have plunged, storylines aren’t working and things were just toxic on set so Lime Pictures had to do something.
"Everyone knows what they’re making is unwatchable, but the three chiefs insisted on pushing their agenda.
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"And blaming and sacking others when it went wrong. Actors were in open revolt."
It has almost unheard of for any high profile show to lose its three top bosses like this.
However The Sun can also reveal that there is no danger of the show itself being axed.
An insider said: “Channel 4 want Hollyoaks to succeed. It’s still hugely popular with youth audiences and it has such strong potential. They won’t let it go without a fight to save it.”
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Ratings had been in free fall for the soap over the last two years.
It used to attract more than 2million a night but now episode figures have plunged to just 200,000 in the overnights - though 395,000 consolidated.
Lucy replaced former Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood after he stepped down in 2020 after eight years at the helm.
His time as producer saw record ratings and huge award wins for the soap.
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An email seen by The Sun sent to cast and crew announced the departures insisting all three bosses had "decided to step down".
A Hollyoaks spokeswoman has been contacted for comment.
