Nathaniel Dass ‘gutted’ to leave Hollyoaks as Dillon makes sudden exit

Hollyoaks star Nathaniel Dass has said goodbye (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Hollyoaks fans everywhere were left teary-eyed as Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) said his goodbyes and left the eponymous village in a rather abrupt and unexpected move.

The popular character, a mainstay of the Channel 4 soap since 2023, had been planning to go on the run with longtime love Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) after they rekindled their romance.

Lucas is serving time in prison for abusing dad Ste (Kieron Richardson), who embarked on a secret affair with his son’s boyfriend last year.

Dillon had asked Ste to be his sponsor following his exploitation ordeal and confided that he had developed feelings for him, with Ste subsequently sleeping with the young lad.

Lucas and Dillon’s romance subsequently imploded, with the former being arrested for attacking Ste. Dillon, however, started to develop feelings for his ex and as they re-connected in prison, he resolved to go on the run with him.

Lucas’ life was put in danger last week when cellmate Sully (Harry French) threatened to kill him if Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) didn’t retract his statement and thus Froggy Black (John Middleton) concocted a plot to get Lucas out of dodge before it was too late.

‘Dillon tries to break Lucas out of prison, and realises very quickly that without Lucas, he doesn’t have much left for him in the village, so it may come as a surprise to some people’,’ said star Nate of his exit scenes.

Despite the prospect of reuniting with his one soulmate, Lucas ultimately decided to stay put and serve his time, which devastated Dillon who – after a kiss and a heart-to-heart with his one true love – resolved to leave Hollyoaks in his rear view mirror, departing the village in emotional scenes.

Nate branded his final scenes ‘lovely’.

Much of Nate’s stint centred around Lucas and Dillon’s popular romance (Picture: Lime Pictures)

‘ I got some really beautiful scenes with Oscar, Anya and the Maalik/Clarke family,’ he enthused, ‘which was a really nice way to end my Hollyoaks time here.’

Discussing leaving the show, the star added: ‘It’s been three years for me, and I’m absolutely gutted that every day I won’t be able to come in and see everyone.

‘I’ve built so many amazing relationships here, so I’m really sad about that and I’m going to miss playing Dillon, he’s a character I’ve been with for three years, but also, I am ready.

‘Ready to go see the world and play other characters, but who knows maybe one day I’ll get to play Dillon again.’

We certainly hope so!

Dillon waved goodbye to the village in the latest episode (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Nate said that working on the Channel 4 soap has ‘taught’ him a lot and that he feels like a better person as a result.

‘Hollyoaks has been a massive part of me growing up’, he concluded. ‘I joined when I was 20, I’m 23 now, when I first joined I still felt like I was 15 years old, moving to Liverpool and being here has really taught me a lot.

‘I’ve grown up and come out with a new relationship, new friendships which is amazing. I think I’ve just come out of it as a bit more of a better person.’

Metro confirmed previously that Oscar Curtis, who plays Lucas, will remain on the show. Lucas is currently in prison and star Oscar is on a break but fans will no doubt be eager to know what the future holds for the character in a post-Dillon world.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

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