'Hollyoaks' stars are "worried" about the future of the soap.
Annie Wallace is worried about Hollyoaks' future
The popular soap has aired on Channel 4 since 1995 but with the government planning to privatise the broadcaster by 2024, actress Annie Wallace - who plays headteacher Sally St Claire in the show - has admitted the cast and crew are concerned about the impact that could have on their own futures.
She told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: “Obviously there is a worry.
“Channel 4 gets bought and they might decide they want to move away from drama. We just don’t know.
“At the moment we are forging ahead and hopefully we will be going for years and years. But we’d be lying if we said we aren’t worried.
“It’s all up in the air. Who knows what is going to happen?”
Annie's comments came in the wake of 'Holby City' and 'Neighbours' both being axed and the 57-year-old star understands why network bosses favour reality TV shows over dramas.
She added: “We are so sad about those shows going. It’s a shame that dramas are under threat.
“Let’s face it, reality television is far cheaper to make.
“But if the soaps go, what are you going to watch?”
And the actress branded the plans to sell off Channel 4 "madness".
She said: “Someone who doesn’t understand the British television industry is the culture minister. It’s madness.
“Why would anyone think selling Channel 4 is good for this country?
“Channel 4 is public-service broadcasting, but it is funded by advertising. It costs this country no money at all.
“And yet Channel 4’s influence over this entire country cannot be undermined.
“They finance films, they put out dramas that would not be taken by other channels and they take risks. If Channel 4 is sold off, it would be a massive blow for British telly.”