Hollyoaks’ Rory Douglas Speed has confirmed his departure from the soap.
The actor, who is 33, first arrived as priest Joel Dexter in 2016.
Joel went through an awful lot while living in the village. His past storylines include his role in Katy Fox’s death, losing his baby Noah, and exploring the dramatic dynamic between himself and father Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas).
After playing the character for nine years, the star has revealed on his Instagram that he’s now said goodbye to his Hollyoaks alter ego.
His post on the social media platform features Rory in a variety of pictures throughout his time on the show.
From headshots, to a snap of him by the village sign, to pics of him alongside his co-stars, Rory has created many memories to last a lifetime.
Reflecting on the journey he’s had, Rory wrote in the caption: ‘Well GOODBYE @hollyoaksofficial it’s been the best years of my life! To everybody in that studio that welcomed in me in, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! -and especially the fans! Thank you thank you thank you!
‘Hopefully you’ll catch me in something else soon!’.
Rory was supported by many of his friends from soapland. Jacob Roberts, who plays Kit Green in Coronation Street, but has also starred in Hollyoaks, said: ‘Exciting times matey!’.
Nadine Mulkerrin, who is Rory’s real life partner, said: ‘I welcomed you in big time lol. I love you, so proud of you !! Bye Joel! Certified fittest priest in soap.’
Nadine started dating Rory eight years ago, after they met on the Channel 4 soap.
In 2018, they announced their engagement, and have two young sons together, Dougie and Reggie.
In September, Rory’s character Joel returned to our screens in prison scenes.
Joel is in prison because he confessed to the murder of Tommy Odenkirk (Brandon Fellows).
Tommy, as viewers will recall, was introduced as the local therapist who was seeing various villagers including Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) and Jez Blake (Jeremy Sheffield).
It turned out, however, that he wasn’t actually a practising therapist and was secretly working in a chicken shop. He harboured a secret obsession with Joel and thus was using his sessions with Leela to get close to him in the hopes of forming a brotherly bond.
Jez – who was also being blackmailed by Tommy over his admission of being a serial killer – encouraged Joel to take revenge and he ultimately did just that.
The following morning, Joel was horrified to find Tommy dead on the floor of his flat and, despite contemplating going on the run, he confessed his actions to the police and was subsequently jailed.
But in an unexpected turn of events, Jez was later seen admitting to the crime, meaning that he killed Tommy and allowed an unsuspecting Joel to take the blame.