Gregory Finnegan has left Hollyoaks after eight years of service and has recalled the heartbreaking moment he was told his character would be killed off the Channel 4 soap

Hollyoaks star Gregory Finnegan has opened up about the blunt way he was told his character would be killed off.

The 44-year-old actor has played James Nightingale on the Channel 4 soap since 2016 – but left the show in, quite literally, explosive scenes that aired on Wednesday night. Although Greg learned of his character’s fate many months ago, he admits the news was hard to swallow.

He has explained that he broke down in tears in the company of his castmates – and has also shared the details of how he was bluntly told he wouldn’t have his contract renewed by show bosses. Over the years, Greg’s character has been involved in high-profile storylines.

He was involved in a relationship with John Paul McQueen, a love triangle with Ste Hay and Harry Thompson, and also portrayed a historical abuse storyline with his father, Mac. The actor has now opened up about his exit and explained how being told his time on the show would be ending was like “having the rug pulled from underneath”.

Greg has shared all about his Hollyoaks experience in a new autobiography, titled The World According To Grog, which is due for release on Friday. The Sun has been sharing extracts from the book – which includes details of the day he was told he would be leaving the show.

Recounting the day he was told his fate on the set of the soap, he recalled: “It was in an odd part of the building that you never go to, in a tiny little office, and I walked in, the head of production and executive producer, she had a piece of paper in front of her and she started reading it. I can’t remember exactly what was said, but it was something like, ‘We’re not here to chat, we’re here to read this pre-prepared statement,’ which they did, and about 15 seconds in, I heard our executive producer Hannah’s voice cracking a little bit, and there was a flush in her cheeks, so I knew.

He goes on to recall being told: “You will not be joining us past the end of your current contract,” he responded by stating: “I said, thank you for your time, wished them all the best, and walked out.”

Gregory admits the news stung. He said: “You tell yourself, it’s just a job, but you’ve been there nine years, made friends, had formed relationships, these are people you see more than you see your own family. It was like having the rug pulled from underneath you. I thought at the very least I would make it to the 30th anniversary next year, so when the announcement came, I was like, oh goodness. It was a shock.”

Earlier this week, The Sun published extracts from Gregory’s book where he recounted his very first day on the soap – where he claims he was asked to strip to his underwear, had his body shaved, and was then given a spray tan; all while in the presence of cast mates he had never met before.