Hollyoaks viewers have expressed their sadness as two iconic characters – who have been part of the Channel 4 soap for most of its 30 year history – have left the village.

In last night’s episode, which is available to view on their streaming service now and will air on E4 tonight, Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and her brother Tom (Ellis Hollins) made a quick escape after learning the truth behind Dave Williams’ (Dominic Power) identity.

Of course, we’re referring to the notorious gangster ‘Blue’ who has plagued Warren Fox’s (Jamie Lomas) life for weeks and most recently kidnapped his children and forced him to confess to a murder he didn’t commit.

Original character Cindy first appeared in the fifth episode back in 1995, with Steph taking over the role from original actress Laura Crossley the following year.

She departed in 2000, before making short returns in the years that followed. Since 2008 she has appeared on a regular capacity again.

There was no surprise when she expressed her upset over being one of the cast that has been cut from the serial ahead of a huge revamp next week, which will see a reduction of episodes and a UK-first time jump.

Ellis was cast as Tom in 2003, being the first and only credited actress to take on the part since he was born on-screen in December 1999.

After Dave pulled a gun on the siblings, Cindy whacked her husband over the head with a stapler before they both fled.

Desperate to depart before she found herself in more danger, she resolved to stay with older sister Jude in Spain – with Tom agreeing that it would be best for him to move on too.

Pub owner Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) revealed that arranged an impromptu farewell party for the pair, though Dave quickly interrupted the emotional moment, and told Cindy that he wanted her to stay, growing violent and threatening. 

She promised to keep his secret, though when he was out of sight she wrote ‘Dave is Blue’ in Tony’s order book before they drove out of Hollyoaks in a bright red 1995 Vauxhall Corsa, strikingly similar to the same model of car that their dad Mr C drove back in the day.

Viewers immediately took to social media to share their love for Cindy and Tom, with one writing: ‘We’ve lost 2 legends. Ellis & Steph are a huge part of Hollyoaks so it’s so emotional that they both got axed. Tom was born on the show, Cindy was the 2nd longest serving character. I just can’t comprehend with the fact they’re both now gone.’

Another added: ‘I just realised there’s no more Cunninghams on the show. Surely they both return in a few years.’

‘Can’t believe we’ve lost Cindy and Tom too’ said one in disbelief.

Many fans also believed that their departure plot deserved to be more substantial: ‘Personally I think Tom and Cindy’s exit should have been a bit more grand. It feels like they were just rushed out. Tom has pretty much been on Hollyoaks since birth, like that’s a proper legacy character.’

Further changes and exits are set to take place in the next two weeks as it all kicks off, spectacularly, with an epic stunt.

Hollyoaks continues weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4 streaming, with a repeat viewing the following day at 7pm on E4.