Hollyoaks' Jeremy Sheffield reveals 'difficult atmosphere' behind the scenes as he makes surprise return to the soap while co-stars including Stephanie Waring are AXED amid cull

Hollyoaks' Jeremy Sheffield has revealed the 'difficult atmosphere' behind the scenes after the soap announced it would axe cast and crew and slash it's weekly output due to Channel 4 budget cuts. Last month axed Stephanie Waring who plays Cindy Cunningham broke down in tears in an emotional Instagram video as she prepared to say goodbye to the show after 28 years. Hollyoaks' Jeremy Sheffield, 58, has revealed the 'difficult atmosphere' behind the scenes after the soap announced it would axe cast and crew and slash it's weekly output due to Channel 4 budget cuts Last month axed Stephanie Waring who plays Cindy Cunningham broke down in tears in an emotional Instagram video as she prepared to say goodbye to the s how after 28 years However amid the mass cull Jeremy, 58, is making a surprise return eight-years after his character Patrick Blake was murdered, in the role of his lookalike brother Jez The shake-up will Saying: 'The hope is it'll be tighter and we'll be able to delve into storylines in a more complex way. It's tough for everyone In her teary video actress Stephanie told about the toll the surprise firing has taken on her, saying: 'Today I had to say goodbye to some crew members I have been working with for the last 16 years Meanwhile Emma Rigby has quit less than a year after reprising the role of Hannah Ashworth and reportedly made the decision due to the budget cuts After leaving the soap in 2010, she only recently returned last November, however Emma has made the decision to resigned Hollyoaks has axed twenty cast members, but not all have been revealed.