Hollyoaks actor Nathaniel Dass has officially confirmed his departure from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera, following the unexpected airing of his final scenes this week. The star, who portrayed the character Dillon Ray for three years, described feeling "absolutely gutted" about leaving the show but expressed excitement for future opportunities.
Surprise Exit Aired Without Warning
Nathaniel Dass's exit storyline aired on Monday without prior announcement, catching both fans and the actor himself by surprise. In emotional scenes, Dillon Ray bid farewell to his on-off boyfriend Lucas Hay, played by Oscar Curtis, marking the end of their popular HayRay romance that had captivated viewers.
Nathaniel Dass Breaks Silence on Departure
In his first public comments since the episode aired, Dass confirmed his departure from Hollyoaks. "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," he revealed. "I've built so many amazing relationships here, so I'm really sad about that and I'm going to miss playing Dillon."
The actor elaborated on his mixed emotions about leaving: "He's a character I've been with for three years, but also, I am ready to go see the world and play other characters. But who knows, maybe one day I'll get to play Dillon again."
Reflections on His Hollyoaks Journey
Dass expressed particular satisfaction with how his exit storyline was handled, noting: "I thought my exit was lovely, I got some really beautiful scenes with Oscar, Anya and the Maalik/Clarke family, which was a really nice way to end my Hollyoaks time here."
The actor also addressed how fans of the HayRay relationship might react to Dillon's departure, explaining: "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."
Personal Growth During Three-Year Tenure
Reflecting on his time with the show, Dass highlighted how Hollyoaks had been instrumental in his personal development. "Hollyoaks has been a massive part of me growing up," he shared. "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, and 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."
Future Prospects and Potential Return
While confirming his departure, Dass left the door open for a potential return to the show in the future. His comments suggest that while he's eager to explore new acting opportunities and "see the world," he hasn't ruled out reprising the role of Dillon Ray at some point.
The actor's final scenes aired during the Monday episode of Hollyoaks, which continues to be available for streaming on Channel 4's platform and airs on E4 from Monday to Wednesday at 7PM.
