Hollyoaks legend's secret heartache as marriage ends after five years

16 September 2023 , 19:07

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James and Rachael in happier times

They found love at Glastonbury Festival eight years ago and returned there three years later to get married in a magical ceremony.

But now, Hollyoaks actor James Sutton – famed for playing the soap’s iconic John Paul McQueen – and Rachael Collin have brought the curtain down on their romance and marriage. We can reveal that the couple, who hit a rocky patch during lockdown, have quietly divorced.

James confirmed: “Rachael and I had a wonderful relationship and marriage. It was very sad but amicable, and we remain friends.” A source added: “James and Rachael have enjoyed a really happy marriage but, as many couples can relate to, their relationship became strained during lockdown.

“James is in the public eye, whereas Rachael prefers to be out of the spotlight and, after eight fantastic years together, they decided they were better off as friends. For now, James is focused on work. They still have a lot of love for each other.” The pair met in the camping area at Glastonbury and James once recalled how he made the first move.

James says split was amicable (Liverpool Echo)

He said: “I was watching this girl pumping up an air bed with a foot pump and I thought, ‘I’ve got an ­electric pump in my bag, I could be a hero here’. So I went over and said, ‘Excuse me, do you want to borrow my pump?’” Smooth. At the time, Rachael was a postgraduate student and transferred courses to be in Liverpool alongside her new boyfriend.

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James, who joined Hollyoaks in 2006, has been at the centre of some the C4 soap’s most important plots, including ones handling male rape and ­homophobia. He was engaged to model Kit Williams for two years. The pair split-up in 2017. Perhaps it will be third time lucky for the star.

Janine Yaqoob