Will Mellor has confirmed he will not return to ‘Hollyoaks’ for the soap’s 25th anniversary.
The 44-year-old star has long been linked with a comeback on the Channel 4 show to reprise his role as James ‘Jambo’ Bolton – who he portrayed from from 1995 to 1998, and again for a 2004 Christmas special – for the programme’s milestone episodes in October, but he will not be gracing the village with his presence.
He said: "’Hollyoaks’ started my career, so how could I not be [a fan]?
"I have a lot to thank ‘Hollyoaks’ for where I am now and other jobs I’ve done."
"There’s an anniversary coming. Sadly I won’t be returning, but I have a lot to thank that show for.
"Happy anniversary, for when it comes around."
Will starred alongside Nick Pickard (Tony Hutchinson) during the programme’s early years, and he calls his pal the "Ken Barlow of ‘Hollyoaks’" – in a nod to ‘Coronation Street’ star Bill Roache, who has played Ken since the ITV soap’s first-ever episode – because he has been on ‘Oaks’ since the start.
Speaking on ‘Lorraine’, he added: "We call him the Ken Barlow of ‘Hollyoaks’ because he’s been in it so long.
"He’s the only one still in it since we started when I was 19."
In January, Nick admitted he would love to see his pal Will back on ‘Hollyoaks’.
Speaking at the time, he said: "I’d like to see Will Mellor come back. Obviously I started the show back in 1995 with him.
"His character Jambo was Tony’s best friend, maybe if he came in to comfort him in his time of need or something. It would be a flying visit."