All the soap exits of 2008!

By
( )
published
Soaplife magazine has chosen the 50 big soap exits of 2008, starting with John Paul McQueen (6 Sept 06 - 20 Oct 08), who left Hollyoaks for Ireland
Soaplife magazine has chosen the 50 big soap exits of 2008, starting with John Paul McQueen (6 Sept 06 - 20 Oct 08), who left Hollyoaks for Ireland

Check out all the loved... and loathed... soap characters who bowed out in 2008

Soaplife magazine has chosen the 50 big soap exits of 2008, starting with John Paul McQueen (6 Sept 06 - 20 Oct 08), who left Hollyoaks for Ireland

Jessica Harris (11 Oct 05 - 1 Jan 08) - Stole money from Darren Osbourne and did a bunk from Hollyoaks

Jessica Harris (11 Oct 05 - 1 Jan 08) - Stole money from Darren Osbourne and did a bunk from Hollyoaks

Jessica Harris (11 Oct 05 - 1 Jan 08) - Stole money from Darren Osbourne and did a bunk from Hollyoaks

Preeti Choraria (27 Oct 06 - 3 Jan 08) - Least dramatic exit from EastEnders of the year? Preeti was sacked from Booty.

Preeti Choraria (27 Oct 06 - 3 Jan 08) - Least dramatic exit from EastEnders of the year? Preeti was sacked from Booty. (Image credit: BBC)

Preeti Choraria (27 Oct 06 - 3 Jan 08) - Least dramatic exit from EastEnders of the year? Preeti was sacked from Booty.

Carly Wicks (17 Feb 06 - 4 Jan 08) - Carly left EastEnders to travel the world following the death of her dad Kevin

Carly Wicks (17 Feb 06 - 4 Jan 08) - Carly left EastEnders to travel the world following the death of her dad Kevin (Image credit: BBC)

Carly Wicks (17 Feb 06 - 4 Jan 08) - Carly left EastEnders to travel the world following the death of her dad Kevin

Vera Duckworth (19 Aug 74 - 18 Jan 08) - Coronation Street stalwart who died peacefully while asleep in her armchair

Vera Duckworth (19 Aug 74 - 18 Jan 08) - Coronation Street stalwart who died peacefully while asleep in her armchair

Vera Duckworth (19 Aug 74 - 18 Jan 08) - Coronation Street stalwart who died peacefully while asleep in her armchair

Carrie Nicholls (20 Feb 07 - 5 Feb 08) - She left Emmerdale to move to Canada to be with her former boyfriend

Carrie Nicholls (20 Feb 07 - 5 Feb 08) - She left Emmerdale to move to Canada to be with her former boyfriend

Carrie Nicholls (20 Feb 07 - 5 Feb 08) - She left Emmerdale to move to Canada to be with her former boyfriend

Deano Wicks (2 Jan 06 - 7 Feb 08) - Deano left jail, attacked mum Shirley Carter and then split from EastEnders. Very mysterious...

Deano Wicks (2 Jan 06 - 7 Feb 08) - Deano left jail, attacked mum Shirley Carter and then split from EastEnders. Very mysterious... (Image credit: BBC ONE)

Deano Wicks (2 Jan 06 - 7 Feb 08) - Deano left jail, attacked mum Shirley Carter and then split from EastEnders. Very mysterious...

Summer Shaw (1 Oct 07 - 27 Feb 08) - Summer was plucked from Hollyoaks for West End stardom by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Summer Shaw (1 Oct 07 - 27 Feb 08) - Summer was plucked from Hollyoaks for West End stardom by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Summer Shaw (1 Oct 07 - 27 Feb 08) - Summer was plucked from Hollyoaks for West End stardom by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Jamie Baldwin (19 July 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Coronation Street's Jamie did a runner with Violet Wilson and her baby

Jamie Baldwin (19 July 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Coronation Street's Jamie did a runner with Violet Wilson and her baby

Jamie Baldwin (19 July 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Coronation Street's Jamie did a runner with Violet Wilson and her baby

Violet Wilson (8 Oct 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Violet left Coronation Street with Jamie Baldwin and her baby by Sean Tully

Violet Wilson (8 Oct 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Violet left Coronation Street with Jamie Baldwin and her baby by Sean Tully

Violet Wilson (8 Oct 04 - 29 Feb 08) - Violet left Coronation Street with Jamie Baldwin and her baby by Sean Tully

Emily Kirk (5 May 99 - 6 Mar 08) - Left Emmerdale to fulfill her vocation and become a vicar

Emily Kirk (5 May 99 - 6 Mar 08) - Left Emmerdale to fulfill her vocation and become a vicar (Image credit: PHOTOGRAPHER: HELEN TURTON)

Emily Kirk (5 May 99 - 6 Mar 08) - Left Emmerdale to fulfill her vocation and become a vicar

Katy Fox (30 Apr 07 - 10 Apr 08) - Discovered her brother was a murderer and left Hollyoaks in a cab

Katy Fox (30 Apr 07 - 10 Apr 08) - Discovered her brother was a murderer and left Hollyoaks in a cab

Katy Fox (30 Apr 07 - 10 Apr 08) - Discovered her brother was a murderer and left Hollyoaks in a cab

Beth Clement (5 Oct 07 - 18 Apr 08) - Hollyoaks' Beth died in a car crash while eloping with her half-brother, Rhys

Beth Clement (5 Oct 07 - 18 Apr 08) - Hollyoaks' Beth died in a car crash while eloping with her half-brother, Rhys

Beth Clement (5 Oct 07 - 18 Apr 08) - Hollyoaks' Beth died in a car crash while eloping with her half-brother, Rhys

Gus Smith (28 May 02 - 1 May 08) - The underdog of EastEnders left with his girlfriend when Sean Slater terrorised him

Gus Smith (28 May 02 - 1 May 08) - The underdog of EastEnders left with his girlfriend when Sean Slater terrorised him (Image credit: BBC)

Gus Smith (28 May 02 - 1 May 08) - The underdog of EastEnders left with his girlfriend when Sean Slater terrorised him

Steven Beale (26 Dec 89 - 9 May 08) - One of EastEnders' veterans, he tried to abduct his sister Lucy but we haven't seen the last of him...

Steven Beale (26 Dec 89 - 9 May 08) - One of EastEnders' veterans, he tried to abduct his sister Lucy but we haven't seen the last of him... (Image credit: BBC)

Steven Beale (26 Dec 89 - 9 May 08) - One of EastEnders' veterans, he tried to abduct his sister Lucy but we haven't seen the last of him...

Jake Dean (5 Nov 02 - 15 May 08) - Jake was carted off Hollyoaks by the men in white coats after trying to kill himself and wife Becca's baby

Jake Dean (5 Nov 02 - 15 May 08) - Jake was carted off Hollyoaks by the men in white coats after trying to kill himself and wife Becca's baby

Jake Dean (5 Nov 02 - 15 May 08) - Jake was carted off Hollyoaks by the men in white coats after trying to kill himself and wife Becca's baby

Paul Clayton (29 Nov 00 - 25 May 08) - Scarpered from Coronation Street after a botched insurance scam. Will he show his face again in Weatherfield?

Paul Clayton (29 Nov 00 - 25 May 08) - Scarpered from Coronation Street after a botched insurance scam. Will he show his face again in Weatherfield?

Paul Clayton (29 Nov 00 - 25 May 08) - Scarpered from Coronation Street after a botched insurance scam. Will he show his face again in Weatherfield?

May Wright (25 Sept 06 - 19 June 08) - Blew herself up after trying to kidnap Dawn's baby in EastEnders

May Wright (25 Sept 06 - 19 June 08) - Blew herself up after trying to kidnap Dawn's baby in EastEnders (Image credit: BBC ONE)

May Wright (25 Sept 06 - 19 June 08) - Blew herself up after trying to kidnap Dawn's baby in EastEnders

Mickey Miller (15 April 03 - 1 July 08) - Mickey left EastEnders with his dad Keith to go to the Cotswolds... there goes the neighbourhood!

Mickey Miller (15 April 03 - 1 July 08) - Mickey left EastEnders with his dad Keith to go to the Cotswolds... there goes the neighbourhood! (Image credit: BBC)

Mickey Miller (15 April 03 - 1 July 08) - Mickey left EastEnders with his dad Keith to go to the Cotswolds... there goes the neighbourhood!

Keith Miller (6 Sept - 1 July 08) - EastEnders' favourite scruffbag left for the Cotswolds after Mad May's inferno at No. 27

Keith Miller (6 Sept - 1 July 08) - EastEnders' favourite scruffbag left for the Cotswolds after Mad May's inferno at No. 27 (Image credit: BBC)

Keith Miller (6 Sept - 1 July 08) - EastEnders' favourite scruffbag left for the Cotswolds after Mad May's inferno at No. 27

Greg and Melanie Doland (26 Aug 07 - 1 July 08) - The Dolands left Emmerdale in July after they lost their child in a baby swap

Greg and Melanie Doland (26 Aug 07 - 1 July 08) - The Dolands left Emmerdale in July after they lost their child in a baby swap

Greg and Melanie Doland (26 Aug 07 - 1 July 08) - The Dolands left Emmerdale in July after they lost their child in a baby swap

Sam 'OB' O'Brien (6 Oct 97 - 11 July 08) - Left Hollyoaks for New York with Summer Shaw after Max's death

Sam 'OB' O'Brien (6 Oct 97 - 11 July 08) - Left Hollyoaks for New York with Summer Shaw after Max's death

Sam 'OB' O'Brien (6 Oct 97 - 11 July 08) - Left Hollyoaks for New York with Summer Shaw after Max's death

Max Cunningham (6 Nov - 11 Jul 08) - Niall Rafferty ran over this Hollyoaks veteran and left his bride heartbroken

Max Cunningham (6 Nov - 11 Jul 08) - Niall Rafferty ran over this Hollyoaks veteran and left his bride heartbroken

Max Cunningham (6 Nov - 11 Jul 08) - Niall Rafferty ran over this Hollyoaks veteran and left his bride heartbroken

Perdy Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 22 July 08) - Did a runner from Emmerdale with surrogate mum Katie Sugden's baby

Perdy Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 22 July 08) - Did a runner from Emmerdale with surrogate mum Katie Sugden's baby

Perdy Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 22 July 08) - Did a runner from Emmerdale with surrogate mum Katie Sugden's baby

Johnny Foster (22 Feb 07 - 31 July 08) - Drove away leaving his husband Paul Lambert in Emmerdale

Johnny Foster (22 Feb 07 - 31 July 08) - Drove away leaving his husband Paul Lambert in Emmerdale

Johnny Foster (22 Feb 07 - 31 July 08) - Drove away leaving his husband Paul Lambert in Emmerdale

Miles De Souza (1 Nov 07 - 31 Jul 08) - Disappeared from Emmerdale when sister Anna interfered in his life

Miles De Souza (1 Nov 07 - 31 Jul 08) - Disappeared from Emmerdale when sister Anna interfered in his life

Miles De Souza (1 Nov 07 - 31 Jul 08) - Disappeared from Emmerdale when sister Anna interfered in his life

Claire Bates (6 July 93 - 7 Aug 08) - Tried to become the man-eater of EastEnders but left in the back of a cab

Claire Bates (6 July 93 - 7 Aug 08) - Tried to become the man-eater of EastEnders but left in the back of a cab (Image credit: BBC)

Claire Bates (6 July 93 - 7 Aug 08) - Tried to become the man-eater of EastEnders but left in the back of a cab

Viv Hope (10 Aug 93 - 20 Aug 08) - Emmerdale's Viv was jailed for three years for a crime she didn't commit

Viv Hope (10 Aug 93 - 20 Aug 08) - Emmerdale's Viv was jailed for three years for a crime she didn't commit

Viv Hope (10 Aug 93 - 20 Aug 08) - Emmerdale's Viv was jailed for three years for a crime she didn't commit

Jamie Fletcher (21 Oct 05 - 21 Aug 08) - Mugged ex-girlfriend Sasha Valentine and fled Hollyoaks to score drugs

Jamie Fletcher (21 Oct 05 - 21 Aug 08) - Mugged ex-girlfriend Sasha Valentine and fled Hollyoaks to score drugs

Jamie Fletcher (21 Oct 05 - 21 Aug 08) - Mugged ex-girlfriend Sasha Valentine and fled Hollyoaks to score drugs

Jase Dyer (19 July 07 - 28 Aug 08) - The EastEnders gangs murdered Jase on Terry's orders

Jase Dyer (19 July 07 - 28 Aug 08) - The EastEnders gangs murdered Jase on Terry's orders (Image credit: BBC)

Jase Dyer (19 July 07 - 28 Aug 08) - The EastEnders gangs murdered Jase on Terry's orders

Honey Mitchell (22 Nov 05 - 2 Sept 08) - Honey left EastEnders with the kids when she decided Billy was not to be trusted

Honey Mitchell (22 Nov 05 - 2 Sept 08) - Honey left EastEnders with the kids when she decided Billy was not to be trusted (Image credit: BBC)

Honey Mitchell (22 Nov 05 - 2 Sept 08) - Honey left EastEnders with the kids when she decided Billy was not to be trusted

Gray Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 2 Sept 08) - Gray left Emmerdale when he was arrested by police after holding Katie Sugden hostage.

Gray Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 2 Sept 08) - Gray left Emmerdale when he was arrested by police after holding Katie Sugden hostage.

Gray Sinclair (1 Mar 06 - 2 Sept 08) - Gray left Emmerdale when he was arrested by police after holding Katie Sugden hostage.

Kieron Hobbs (8 Jan 08 - 5 Set 08) - Murdered with a can of poisoned beer by Hollyoaks' madman, Niall Rafferty

Kieron Hobbs (8 Jan 08 - 5 Set 08) - Murdered with a can of poisoned beer by Hollyoaks' madman, Niall Rafferty

Kieron Hobbs (8 Jan 08 - 5 Set 08) - Murdered with a can of poisoned beer by Hollyoaks' madman, Niall Rafferty

Valerie Holden (6 Set 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Left Hollyoaks for Spain after snogging Calvin Valentine

Valerie Holden (6 Set 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Left Hollyoaks for Spain after snogging Calvin Valentine

Valerie Holden (6 Set 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Left Hollyoaks for Spain after snogging Calvin Valentine

Danny Valentine (6 Sept 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Ran away from Coronation Street to be with mum Valerie in Spain

Danny Valentine (6 Sept 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Ran away from Coronation Street to be with mum Valerie in Spain

Danny Valentine (6 Sept 07 - 12 Sept 08) - Ran away from Coronation Street to be with mum Valerie in Spain

Vernon Tomlin (2 Dec 05 - 22 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street for London after being offered a recording contract

Vernon Tomlin (2 Dec 05 - 22 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street for London after being offered a recording contract

Vernon Tomlin (2 Dec 05 - 22 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street for London after being offered a recording contract

Harry Mason (3 Dec 07 - 26 Sept 08) - Returned to his wife after an affair with Coronation Street's Liz McDonald

Harry Mason (3 Dec 07 - 26 Sept 08) - Returned to his wife after an affair with Coronation Street's Liz McDonald

Harry Mason (3 Dec 07 - 26 Sept 08) - Returned to his wife after an affair with Coronation Street's Liz McDonald

Kayleigh, Jerry and Finlay Morton (18 Mar 07 - 29 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street to start a new life in Spain

Kayleigh, Jerry and Finlay Morton (18 Mar 07 - 29 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street to start a new life in Spain

Kayleigh, Jerry and Finlay Morton (18 Mar 07 - 29 Sept 08) - Left Coronation Street to start a new life in Spain

Yolande Trueman (16 Sept 03 - 3 Oct 08) - Yolande left EastEnders to move to Birmingham for a new job

Yolande Trueman (16 Sept 03 - 3 Oct 08) - Yolande left EastEnders to move to Birmingham for a new job (Image credit: BBC)

Yolande Trueman (16 Sept 03 - 3 Oct 08) - Yolande left EastEnders to move to Birmingham for a new job

Mel Morton (18 Mar 07 - 3 Oct 08) - Quit Corrie's Weatherfield to avoid hated mother Teresa Bryant

Mel Morton (18 Mar 07 - 3 Oct 08) - Quit Corrie's Weatherfield to avoid hated mother Teresa Bryant

Mel Morton (18 Mar 07 - 3 Oct 08) - Quit Corrie's Weatherfield to avoid hated mother Teresa Bryant

Liam Connor (30 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Coronation Street pin-up Liam was killed in a hit-and-run orchestrated by love rival Tony Gordon

Liam Connor (30 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Coronation Street pin-up Liam was killed in a hit-and-run orchestrated by love rival Tony Gordon

Liam Connor (30 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Coronation Street pin-up Liam was killed in a hit-and-run orchestrated by love rival Tony Gordon

Tina Reilly (3 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Hollyoaks' Tina was murdered in a church explosion by Niall Rafferty

Tina Reilly (3 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Hollyoaks' Tina was murdered in a church explosion by Niall Rafferty

Tina Reilly (3 Aug 06 - 17 Oct 08) - Hollyoaks' Tina was murdered in a church explosion by Niall Rafferty

Shabnam Masood (17 July 07 - 24 Oct 08) - Shabnam left EastEnders to go for a more exciting life in Pakistan

Shabnam Masood (17 July 07 - 24 Oct 08) - Shabnam left EastEnders to go for a more exciting life in Pakistan (Image credit: BBC)

Shabnam Masood (17 July 07 - 24 Oct 08) - Shabnam left EastEnders to go for a more exciting life in Pakistan

Louise Appleton (20 June 01 - 28 0ct 08) - Left Emmerdale for Australia in a horse and carriage

Louise Appleton (20 June 01 - 28 0ct 08) - Left Emmerdale for Australia in a horse and carriage (Image credit: PHOTOGRAPHER: HELEN TURTON)

Louise Appleton (20 June 01 - 28 0ct 08) - Left Emmerdale for Australia in a horse and carriage

Dan Mason (3 Dec 07 - 14 Nov 08) - Sold Coronation Street's bookies to Ken Barlow and moved on

Dan Mason (3 Dec 07 - 14 Nov 08) - Sold Coronation Street's bookies to Ken Barlow and moved on

Dan Mason (3 Dec 07 - 14 Nov 08) - Sold Coronation Street's bookies to Ken Barlow and moved on

Donald De Souza (28 Oct 07 - 18 Nov 08) - Killed off Emmerdale courtesy of Matthew King

Donald De Souza (28 Oct 07 - 18 Nov 08) - Killed off Emmerdale courtesy of Matthew King

Donald De Souza (28 Oct 07 - 18 Nov 08) - Killed off Emmerdale courtesy of Matthew King

Niall Rafferty (3 Dec 07 - 27 Nov 08) - Hollyoaks' resident serial killer plunged off a cliff in Scotland after a fight with Craig Dean

Niall Rafferty (3 Dec 07 - 27 Nov 08) - Hollyoaks' resident serial killer plunged off a cliff in Scotland after a fight with Craig Dean

Niall Rafferty (3 Dec 07 - 27 Nov 08) - Hollyoaks' resident serial killer plunged off a cliff in Scotland after a fight with Craig Dean

Vinnie Monks (8 Oct 07 - 1 Dec 08) - Vinnie left Shirley to try her luck with EastEnders' hardman, Phil Mitchell

Vinnie Monks (8 Oct 07 - 1 Dec 08) - Vinnie left Shirley to try her luck with EastEnders' hardman, Phil Mitchell (Image credit: BBC)

Vinnie Monks (8 Oct 07 - 1 Dec 08) - Vinnie left Shirley to try her luck with EastEnders' hardman, Phil Mitchell

Anna De Souza (8 July 08 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on her wedding day to Matthew King

Anna De Souza (8 July 08 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on her wedding day to Matthew King

Anna De Souza (8 July 08 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on her wedding day to Matthew King

Matthew King (4 Mar 04 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on his wedding day to Anna De Souza!

Matthew King (4 Mar 04 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on his wedding day to Anna De Souza!

Matthew King (4 Mar 04 - 16 Dec 08) - Leaves Emmerdale on his wedding day to Anna De Souza!

Jo Sugden (26 Aug 05 - 22 Dec 08) - Jo leaves Emmerdale after months of abuse from husband Andy Sugden.

Jo Sugden (26 Aug 05 - 22 Dec 08) - Jo leaves Emmerdale after months of abuse from husband Andy Sugden.

Jo Sugden (26 Aug 05 - 22 Dec 08) - Jo leaves Emmerdale after months of abuse from husband Andy Sugden.

Mandy Richardson (12 Sept 96 - 26 Dec 08) - Leaves Hollyoaks after Louise and Warren's wedding

Mandy Richardson (12 Sept 96 - 26 Dec 08) - Leaves Hollyoaks after Louise and Warren's wedding

Mandy Richardson (12 Sept 96 - 26 Dec 08) - Leaves Hollyoaks after Louise and Warren's wedding

Louise Summers (7 Feb 05 - 26 Dec 08) - Exits Hollyoaks, either alive or dead, on her wedding day.

Louise Summers (7 Feb 05 - 26 Dec 08) - Exits Hollyoaks, either alive or dead, on her wedding day.

Louise Summers (7 Feb 05 - 26 Dec 08) - Exits Hollyoaks, either alive or dead, on her wedding day.

Sean Slater (22 Aug 06 - 1 Jan 09) - Sean kidnaps Roxy's baby and exits at New Year... but for how long!

Sean Slater (22 Aug 06 - 1 Jan 09) - Sean kidnaps Roxy's baby and exits at New Year... but for how long! (Image credit: BBC)

Sean Slater (22 Aug 06 - 1 Jan 09) - Sean kidnaps Roxy's baby and exits at New Year... but for how long!

What's on TV team

The What's on TV team brings you everything you need to know about the world of TV. We have all the information on what is happening in the soaps, what you can't afford to miss on television and which new shows and series are launching. Our handy guides, to all the latest TV shows, bring you everything you need to know about new launches, returning series and must-see events so that you don't miss a thing..