Luke Jerdy hopes his ‘Hollyoaks’ exit will educate viewers over the dangers of binge drinking.
The 30-year-old actor bowed out of the soap in scenes aired on E4 on Tuesday (21.01.20) when his alter ego Jesse Donovan died on his wedding day to Courtney Campbell (Amy Conachan) after hitting the bottle over the revelation his half-sister, Grace Black (Tamara Wall), and brother Liam’s partner James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) had shot Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).
And Luke wants the storyline – which will later see his character’s cause of death confirmed as alcohol poisoning – to remind people to "be careful" when they go out partying.
Asked if he hopes the plot will highlight the dangers of binge drinking, he told DigitalSpy: "Yeah, I think so. It’s just a reminder that things like that can happen on a night out – you drink too much and get yourself into a bit of a state. I hope it encourages people to watch out for their friends as well.
"If you see your friends drinking too much, stay with them and look after them, rather than letting them stay somewhere on their own, because that can lead to trouble. I think if you’ve got someone with you, that’s always going to help. It’ll be a reminder to just be careful on nights out."
Meanwhile, Bob Cryer, who played Luke’s former on-screen dad Glen Donovan paid a hilarious tribute to his old co-star on Twitter, referencing his own alter ego’s untimely demise at the hands of village serial killer Breda McQueen (Moya Brady), who killed him with a poisoned pint.
He tweeted: "Congrats youngster on a wonderfully entertaining, sincere and committed @Hollyoaks journey. There’s a pint waiting for you up here from your old dad but you’d probably pour it down my hi-viz jacket. It’s just as well, as it was poured by Moya Brady. #deadydonovan (sic)"
Luke replied: "love you Bob! Brilliant words as always"
Jessica Ellis, whose ‘Oaks’ character Tegan Lomax died during 2018’s storm week after being crushed by a falling tree, also referenced her exit in a fairwell post to Luke.
Commenting on his Instagram post about his exit, she wrote: "Rip Jessie! Now we’re in heaven together! Well in mate!(sic)"
Luke pointed out: "we died in the same spot [crying emojis]"
Jessica replied: "[Broken heart emojis] love that (is that weird!) (sic)"
Luke Jerdy wants Hollyoaks exit to educate
