Ray Quinn thanks Hollyoaks for 'opportunity of a lifetime'

ay Quinn says his stint on \'Hollyoaks\' has been the "opportunity of a lifetime", and he hopes the far-right extremism plot will help to make a "better world" for his kids.

The former \'Brookside\' star will bow out of the Channel 4 soap in tonight\'s (18.11.19) E4 first-look episode after the hard-hitting storyline reached a dramatic conclusion on Friday (15.11.19) when his character Jonny Baxter\'s partner in crime Stuart Sumner (Chris Simmons) was pushed off a cliff to his death by his son Sid Sumner (Billy Price).

Speaking about the plot, which has seen popular character Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) radicalised by Stuart and Jonny, Ray said: "In the most part it\'s been positive and I\'m really pleased to have been part of it. Plus, getting cast for something that I wouldn\'t usually have been considered for, after being in the West End and on reality TV, is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Ray Quinn apologised to Hollyoaks supporting artists for character's comments

"Having the opportunity from [executive producer] Bryan Kirkwood to be cast in such a way is a chance to prove myself as an actor again."

And Ray is hoping the storyline will raise awareness of the subject, particularly for the younger generation.

He added to Digital Spy: "It\'s opened a lot of eyes and there are a lot of issues that may not have been highlighted before on a platform like \'Hollyoaks\' that, across the board, the younger generation are aware of.

Ray Quinn engaged

"It possibly could make a difference in changing views and making a better world for my children and their children."

Ray recently revealed he had been branded a "racist" in a coffee shop because of his far-right extremist character.

He said: "I\'ve had a couple of [abusive comments] from people in the street.

Ray Quinn up for Hollyoaks return

"I was in a coffee shop one time and I was asking for a coffee and the lady said, \'Oh don\'t serve him he\'s racist\'. And I had to sort of elaborate on the story to tell the geezer who was serving me, \'I\'m not, I\'m playing one in \'Hollyoaks\'!\' I had to reassure him and he was like, \'Sorry mate, don\'t watch it\'."