Jamie Lomas has FINALLY explained why he walked away from the role of Hollyoaks badboy Warren Fox.
The 42-year-old dramatically quit Chester in an episode earlier this month, swiping one of his and Sienna’s newborn twin babies and hitting the road.
While any trace of Warren and baby Sophie runs cold in France, where his car was found empty and abandoned, in real life Jamie is over in Australia getting ready to enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Sunday night.
And, according to Jamie, his desire to do I’m A Celeb is the reason for his Hollyoaks departure.
Which we probably could have guessed, right?
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Jamie said: “I was actually asked about this years ago but it wasn’t the right stage in my life.
“But it’s been a good year with work and I really did feel now was the right time to branch out.”
“I have finished on Hollyoaks now,” he added.
“I had to make a decision – whether to sign [on for more episodes] or take the gamble. The gamble was I wanted to do this. And I felt it came at the right time. And it has paid off because I am doing it.”
Let’s just hope you’re not out first then, eh Jamie?
Jamie, however, is refusing to place any expectations on himself when it comes to how far he may go in the jungle.
“I would like to think I am not a quitter,” he said.
“But do I want to win? Oh gosh I haven’t got any expectations if I am honest.
“I really do feel though that this is going to be one of the biggest challenges of my life.
“You have got nowhere to run or hide – but bring it on!”
As for what he’ll do after I’m A Celeb, he simply said: “Let’s see where it takes me. That’s the fun part of life. Where does it take you next?”
For many Hollyoaks fans, no doubt they’re hoping life takes Jamie right back to Chester at some stage.
And they may be in luck, as appearing on This Morning earlier this month, Jamie didn’t rule out the chance of reprising his Warren role in the future.
“I like to go in and have a little time there and then have a little time out and try something out,” he said.
“Maybe I’ll come back in time, who knows.”
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Jamie will have a fellow soap star to chat storylines with in the jungle as Coronation Street’s Jennie McAlpine – aka Fiz Brown – is also taking part.
Completing the line-up is The Saturdays singer Vanessa White, WAG Rebekah Vardy, Made In Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo, comedian Shappi Khorsandi, Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley, YouTuber Jack Maynard, boxer Amir Khan and former footballer Dennis Wise.
I’m A Celebrity starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV.