Several members of the ‘Hollyoaks’ cast have thrown their support behind Rachel Adedeji after she claimed she has experienced racism on the soap.
Many of the Channel 4 shows stars have publicly backed the 28-year-old actress – who has played Lisa Loveday since 2016 – after she blasted the programme for its response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Responding on social media, Karl Collins – who played her on-screen dad Louis Loveday – tweeted: "Well….. it will come as no surprise that I love this woman who I affectionately call ‘darta!’
"I am so proud of her bravery #speakyourtruth @RachelASongs #noliestold #BlackLivesMatterUK #BlackLivesMatter. (sic)"
Scott Drinkwell actor Ross Adams also spoke out and insisted he would strive to do more and "educate" himself on certain issues.
He wrote: "Sending you love, respect and solidarity. I commit to doing better, to educate myself and to stand by anyone facing discrimination anywhere."
Jacqueline Boatswain (Simone Loveday) said: "The truth will set you free!!! Speak on it! (sic)"
And Nadine Mulkerrin (Cleo McQueen) simply added: "I love you darling"
Rachel had called for the soap to "do better", after Kelle Bryan (Martine Deveraux) announced plans for the show to launch a podcast about racism.
Rachel wrote in a statement: "I am disappointed with Hollyoaks’ approach with showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement yesterday. Did black lives matter when I was told ‘you’re all the same’ via a make up artist you employed and remains in employment to this day?
"Did Black Lives Matter when a number of female black actors were forced to drastically change their hair, because if not, the viewers ‘would not be able to tell them apart’? Do Black Lives Matter when my fellow black castmates are deemed ‘angry, aggressive and too vocal?’
"Did Black Lives Matter when referred to as ‘bl*****s’ by a senior member of the production team? Do Black Lives really matter to you if over the last four years at ‘Hollyoaks’, I have only worked with one black director? (sic)"
Following her claims, ‘Hollyoaks’ announced they are "investigating", and insisted they have "zero tolerance on racism".
A post on the soap’s social media channels read: "Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating."