Where are Hollyoaks' missing McQueens now?

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Digital Spy

They're one of the most notorious families in soap history – and once you've got past the garish outfits, outrageous behaviour and questionable hairstyles, you can't help but fall in love with Hollyoaks' McQueen clan.

While they might have a thing or two to learn about staying on the right side of the law, they've been keeping us entertained with their family feuds since they arrived in Hollyoaks back in 2006.

With a never-ending supply of McQueens always ready to descend, they might still be very much a part of life in Chester, but what has happened to the actors who have left the show? We've done some digging to find out what they're up to…

1. Claire Cooper (Jacqui McQueen, 2006 – 2013)

Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez - Getty Images
Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez - Getty Images

Jacqui's probably best remembered for her huge hoop earrings, her love of leopard print, and having a big heart. But she was also a tough ex-con who was used to a life of crime, often taking on the role of matriarch in the family. This included giving her sisters advice, even if it wasn't always wanted.

But in contrast Claire Cooper couldn't be more different from her Hollyoaks alter ego. As well as having a successful acting career since leaving the soap, with roles in hit shows like Scott and Bailey, Still Star-Crossed, Snatch, A.D: The Bible Continues and even playing Anne Boleyn in Six Wives with Lucy Worsley, Claire is a vegan, animal rights activist and co-founder of ethically sourced clothing brand Om & Ah London.

Claire is also married to her former Hollyoaks co-star Emmett J Scanlan, better known as Brendan Brady. The couple tied the knot in New York in January 2016.

2. Gemma Merna (Carmel McQueen, 2006 – 2014)

Photo credit: Karwai Tang / WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: Karwai Tang / WireImage - Getty Images

Carmel might have been the McQueens' token ditzy blonde, but she will forever go down in Hollyoaks history for her classic one liners and brilliant comedy timing. She was renowned for her love of all things pink and fluffy while also having a heart of gold – but things are a little different in Gemma Merna's world.

Gemma is now a personal trainer and yoga guru. She not only has her own yoga app, but also teaches classes in Liverpool.

3. Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen, 2008 – 2016)

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Jorgie certainly had some hard-hitting storylines during her time on Hollyoaks. Under her bubbly, cute persona, Theresa had a dark side that saw her involved in teenage pregnancy plots, being the target of a serial killer, and breaking out of prison where she had been sent after murdering Calvin Valentine.

Jorgie went on to become the face of Proactiv skincare brand and has become a bit of a star of reality television. She has been hugely popular with fans as they have watched her trying to find love on shows like Celebrity First Dates and Celebs Go Dating. She also starred as Miss Croft in the 2016 remake of Are You Being Served.

4. Leah Hackett (Tina McQueen, 2006 – 2008)

Photo credit: Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: Shirlaine Forrest / WireImage - Getty Images

Tina was the one McQueen sister who always seemed to get things right. She was clever, quiet and could often be found with her nose in a book. In fact, she was so unlike her sisters that she often found herself despairing of their wayward behaviour.

In 2008 Leah announced she would be leaving the soap and her exit saw Tina get blown up in a church explosion at the hands of secret McQueen Niall Rafferty. Since leaving the soap, Leah has forged herself a successful acting career, appearing in shows like Doctors, The Case, and Four O'Clock Club, as well as appearing on stage in various theatre productions.

Leah also has her own website What Leah Loves, where she blogs about everything from fashion and beauty to recipes, and even has a YouTube channel where she talks you through how to make a rainbow cake. Handy.

5. James Sutton (John Paul McQueen, 2006 – 2008 and 2012 – 2017)

Photo credit: Lime Pictures
Photo credit: Lime Pictures

John Paul was a hugely popular member of the McQueen family – so popular he actually came back to Hollyoaks for a second stint that ended up lasting longer than his first! Not only was JP the token male of the clan, but who could forget his iconic romance with Craig Dean, leading to his 'sunset ending' departure from the show the first time around.

These days you're most likely to find James Sutton treading the boards in a theatre production, which is where his career has been focused since leaving Hollyoaks last year for the second time. He is also loved up with fiancé Rachael Collin after meeting her at Glastonbury festival.

As well as highly acclaimed theatre roles such as Venus Rising and Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, James has also appeared in TV shows like 8 Days That Made Rome. Soap fans will know that James also appeared in Emmerdale as Ryan Lamb from 2009 to 2011 and also once hinted that one day he might like get a soap hat trick by landing a part in EastEnders. Watch this space!

6. Sarah George (Celine McQueen, 2014 – 2016)

Photo credit: Lime Pictures
Photo credit: Lime Pictures

Nurse Celine might have only been in Hollyoaks for two years, but she certainly packed a lot of drama into a short space of time. In December 2016 viewers were left shocked when she was brutally murdered by Cameron Campbell after she found out that he started the Halloween Spooktacular fire that ended the lives of Nico Blake (or so we thought at the time) and Joe Roscoe.

At the time of her departure, Sarah George told us: "I'm feeling quite sad to be leaving after two and a bit years. I have absolutely loved playing Celine, but I've loved being a McQueen even more."

Sarah is currently taking a break from acting to see the sights of Wellington in New Zealand, where she has been since she left Hollyoaks. She is also now a professionally trained make-up artist and even has her own Instagram page dedicated to her new profession.

7. Mandip Gill (Phoebe McQueen, 2012 – 2015)

Photo credit: Chris Chibnall - BBC
Photo credit: Chris Chibnall - BBC

Phoebe might have earned her McQueen title rather than being born into the clan, but that doesn't make her any less a part of the famous soap family. During her time on Hollyoaks the character found herself accused of Mercedes McQueen's murder, was involved in the 2014 train crash that killed Carmel and was the centre of a hard-hitting teen homelessness storyline before being killed off by the infamous Gloved Hand Killer, Lindsey Roscoe.

Since leaving the show Mandip's acting career has gone from strength to strength and she will next star as Yasmin Khan, the new companion in the 2018 series of Doctor Who, alongside the new Doctor Jodie Whittaker.

8. Twinnie Lee Moore (Porsche McQueen, 2014 – 2015)

Photo credit: Jeff Spicer / Stringer - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jeff Spicer / Stringer - Getty Images

Porsche was only in Hollyoaks for a short amount of time compared to most other McQueens, but that doesn't mean she was any less of a character. At the time of her arrival, show bosses told us she would be "racier than her four-wheeled namesake Mercedes, but is fiercely loyal and has a good moral compass".

When her contract came to an end after a year, Twinnie decided to leave the show to focus on her music career. Since then she has proved to be a huge hit on the country music scene over in America. Not only has she had hits with songs like 'Cool' but she has also played at the C2C: Country to Country music festival and was named one of the top ten acts to see by Rolling Stone Country.


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