Hollyoaks regular Charlie Behan, who plays Charlie Dean in the Channel 4 soap has reportedly quit his role after playing the character for 13 years leaving fans fuming

Hollyoaks fans have reacted to the reports that Charlie Behan is said to be leaving the Channel 4 soap after playing Charlie Dean for 13 years.

The actor has reportedly already filmed his final scenes as the late son of Becca Dean and Justin Burton son. He joined the show back in 2011, taking over the role from Joshua McConville.

However, according to The Sun, he had decided to leave the show. A source told the publication said: “Charlie’s leaving is a big decision but it’s time for him to spread his wings. There are big changes at Hollyoaks and he’s going to miss everyone there but he’s excited for the future.”

Hollyoaks fans have reacted to the reports that Charlie Behan is said to be leaving the Channel 4 soap

Reacting to the news, one fan penned: “I’m actually really confused about #Hollyoaks. Why bring back old characters that people were over but get rid of perfectly good (loyal) characters who people still love. It’s not the characters that are stale they just need new stories written for them, plenty of life left yet!”

Another added: “NO!!!!! Why? Charlie has always been such a great character & well acted.” A third person said: “Really confused over Charlie’s axing? I had a feeling he would be going but why get rid of him but yet keep some god awful characters. Literally makes no sense.”

Charlie has been at the centre of some gripping storylines over the years including county lines drug dealing, school mini bus crash,, Leukemia and an underage pregnancy scare.

The actor has played Charlie Dean for 13 years. (Image: Channel 4)

As fans already know, Hollyoaks is set to only air three episodes a week starting in September. Soap bosses announced the major schedule shake-up back in February, and it is about to take effect in coming weeks.

The change was announced on social media, where fans were told that they would receive an extra episode of the soap before it gets downsized. Hollyoaks is currently on screens five days a week, but that will change in the second week of September.

The announcement read: “Hollyoaks will air a bonus SIXTH episode in its final week before cutting down to three episodes a week. Currently, a double bill is pencilled into the provisional schedules for Friday, September 6, 7ppm-7:.30pm and 7.30pm-8pm.”

Charlie has been at the centre of some gripping storylines over the years (Image: Channel 4)

The three weekly episodes will be available on streaming, E4 and YouTube. and there will also be a drama packed weekly omnibus episode broadcast on Channel 4 and available to stream.

Hollyoaks have been approached for a comment. 20 cast members have reportedly been let go as part of staff redundancies, which is thought to be around a third of Hollyoaks’ staff.

Instead of the traditional autumn stunt, which viewers had thought might be used to kill off a number of characters, Hollyoaks will instead jump forward a year time. Following the time-jump, the charactersin question will no longer be in the village.

Hollyoaks airs weeknights on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 at 7.30pm