Hollyoaks' Kyle Kelly to take own life after suffering depression

\'Hollyoaks\' have confirmed Adam Rickitt\'s character is to take his own life.

The Channel 4 soap has been exploring mid-life male depression in Adam\'s alter-ego Kyle Kelly, and Ashley Taylor Dawson\'s character Darren Osborne, but Kyle will lose his battle with the illness in the run up to his wedding to Nancy Hayton (Jess Fox).

He said: "When I first heard about the storyline, I was excited as an actor to be able to portray such a dramatic journey, and pride that the team had entrusted me to do it.

"There was also a sense of personal fear.

"Like all too many I had to walk a similar path in my lifetime and the idea of revisiting that, even in the world of fiction, was slightly daunting.

"In truth though it became an incredibly empowering experience. The sensitivity and heart that the writers put into the story really shone through, and at a time like now, more than ever, I think we need to be highlighting just this sort of issue.

"As sad as I am to say goodbye to Kyle, I have loved being a part of \'Hollyoaks\'.

"It\'s been a fantastic show to work on. To be able to leave telling a story that is so important and so challenging is more than I could ever have asked for, and like me, I hope viewers will find strength in its telling."

The \'Hollyoaks\' cast and producers have been working closely with James\' Place - a centre for emergency male mental health, which is based in Liverpool - on the tragic storyline.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "Hollyoaks\' writing team have been laying the building blocks of Darren and Kyle\'s individual stories for some time, carefully exploring the nuances that comes from two men living with depression in two very different ways.

"There is no face to male suicide, and we wanted to highlight the ways in which depression can manifest itself with two of our much-loved characters.

"By telling this storyline Hollyoaks would like to highlight the importance of creating an environment to listen, giving those who need it the time to talk."

\'Hollyoaks\' will not show Kyle\'s death on screen, but will explore the aftermath of his loss as they come to terms with his passing.