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HOLLYOAKS actress Stephanie Waring has admitted that she’s ‘worried about paying the bills,’ after her axing from the soap.

She played the role of Cindy Cunningham - one of the longest-running characters on the serial drama - for nearly three decades.

Stephanie Waring has spoken out for the first time since her axe from Hollyoaks
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Stephanie Waring has spoken out for the first time since her axe from HollyoaksCredit: Getty
The soap star is one of 20 cast members who face the axe as the soap reduces production of episodes
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The soap star is one of 20 cast members who face the axe as the soap reduces production of episodesCredit: Getty
Although she has been given assurances by producers that Cindy will not be killed off
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Although she has been given assurances by producers that Cindy will not be killed offCredit: Lime Pictures

Steph, 46, made her first appearance in Hollyoaks all the way back in October 1996, just one year after the soap's inception.

She has stuck with the Channel 4 show for 28 years through major storylines.

Cindy was first introduced in 1995 and was the only original character that was included in the massive cull of 20 cast members.

Although she has been given assurances by producers that her character will not be killed off.

READ MORE ON HOLLYOAKS

This was after the long-running show was cut to just three episodes per week on sister channel E4 and YouTube.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the actress has spoken out for the first time since the dramatic announcement.

Steph said: "I did expect more loyalty after almost three decades."

The blonde bombshell has been forced to think about the financial implications of losing her job of over 20 years.

She explained: "We’re just normal people who happen to be on the telly, we still have all pressures of paying the bills - so I won’t be taking time out."

The soap star also opened up on the exact moment bosses told her she will be written out of the show.

Steph admitted the news was somewhat unexpected and admitted that she "didn't take it well" and broke down in the meeting.

“Part of me was thinking ‘I’ve just signed a year-long contract, surely it won’t be me’. Everyone was telling me I would be fine as I’m an original character," she revealed.

‘I collapsed on the floor in tears and begged Hollyoaks bosses not to axe me’ reveals ‘distraught’ Steph Waring as she admits co-stars had to ‘pick her up’

“In the meeting they read from a script and a tear fell from my eye because I could just feel it in the room. 

"They got to the end and said ‘And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show’. I just kept saying ‘I don’t understand’. I was very distraught, I didn’t take it well - I was probably the most dramatic person they told. 

"I just kept telling them ‘I’m an original character’. I was clutching at anything - telling them ‘but I was the first person to give birth on the show!’ I could see the distress I was causing them because they were upset that I was so upset."

Steph added: “I just left and cried uncontrollably. 

“I went into make-up and I fell into two of my co-star's arms who held me as I sobbed until I calmed down a bit."

She admitted that she is worried about her future
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She admitted that she is worried about her futureCredit: Rex
The actress admitted she broke down in tears after bosses told her they had to axe her character
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The actress admitted she broke down in tears after bosses told her they had to axe her characterCredit: PA
Steph (right) first appeared in the soap back in 1996
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Steph (right) first appeared in the soap back in 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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