Hollyoaks will have a new boss soon in a shocking move, as long-serving showrunner Bryan Kirkwood has quit.
The soap is currently off air due to the coronavirus pandemic, and returns next week.
The fan favourite is behind some of the biggest characters, storylines and episodes in the show's 25-year history.
It's this milestone that the soap will be celebrating this October, but now cast and crew have learned Bryan is leaving the role.
He returned in 2012 for an 8-year stretch, while he also worked with the soap for four years prior to this.
It's not yet clear who will be taking the reins of the hit Channel 4 soap, but the showrunner has decided to move on.
Bryan announced plans to leave the show back in March while his episodes will continue airing on screen until around June 2021.
Hollyoaks have now confirmed the news.
On his departure, Bryan said: "For many years I have had the privilege of running a soap opera with a fiercely loyal audience.
"I passionately believe that soaps can help viewers start serious conversations about their lives and in recent years we have covered important topics within mental health, sexual consent, Far-Right radicalisation, male rape, sexual abuse and many issues other shows might look away from.
"It has also been a joy to deliver the plot buster stories that ‘can only happen on Hollyoaks’, stories that give our viewers an entertaining escape into a heightened world.
"I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I want to thank the entire team.
"Their talent, warmth, loyalty and friendship are why I stayed so long. The 25th anniversary feels like an elegant time to hand the reins over to someone else but I’m confident that the beating heart of Hollyoaks – the people who make it – will keep the show around for another 25 years."
Hollyoaks returns to Channel 4 and E4 at 7pm on Monday 7 September.
