Hollyoaks star Jeremy Sheffield admitted there is a ‘difficult atmosphere’

on set amid the Channel 4 soap cast exodus.

Following the news Hollyoaks will reduce the number of episodes it airs a

week from five to three this September, a number of cast and crew have left the show.

From Glynis Barber to Stephanie Waring, we’re in the middle of a massive change

for Hollyoaks right now, and it’s not over yet.

Speaking to the Daily Star about the recent developments, the Patrick Blake actor, 58,

said: ‘Everyone understands why things have to happen.

‘But obviously people are losing their jobs, so it’s tough. People are having to rethink their livelihoods.’

He added: ‘There’s a difficult atmosphere. It’s tough for everyone. It’s a big change.’

Viewers will recall James’ soap character’s horrifying behaviour in a relationship with Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson), whom he abused as well as fathering her daughter, Minnie Minniver.

He kept his daughter, Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) locked up, as well as trying to prevent her from finding her biological daughter Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson).

He was later diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Patrick departed the show in 2016 after being murdered in a shocking twist by serial killer Nico.

Jeremy briefly reprised his role as Patrick weeks later when Maxine momentarily saw him as a figment of her imagination.

Metro.co.uk confirmed late last year that Jeremy will be returning as Patrick’s brother Jez.

The shorter 20 minute instalments will begin in September following a UK soap first permanent time jump which is planned to sky-rocket the drama one year into the future.

It’s understood that this is to facilitate the large number of exits, with legendary original character Cindy Cunningham, played by Stephanie Waring, confirmed to be one of them.

Meanwhile, unconnected to the changes, Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams), Jonas Khan (Zain Rizwaan) and Carter Shepherd (David Ames) are also leaving.

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