JEREMY Edwards first launched his career as a teenage pin-up model for popular magazines like Mizz and More, before becoming the ultimate heartthrob of the Noughties.
Voted Hollyoaks’ sexiest star – for playing Kurt Benson on the hit Channel 4 soap – his smouldering looks and undeniable charisma catapulted him into the limelight.
9
9
9
He also made headlines for his high-profile relationships, particularly with S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens.
But life now couldn’t be more different for the 52-year-old, who prefers being a hands-on dad to his two children, Scarlett, seven, and Teddy, four, whom he shares with his wife, Lydia Metz.
“I had the best time of my life when I started out; I was going to elite showbiz parties,” Jeremy reflects.
“I was young, good-looking, and had loads of money – the money was insane – so make of that what you will.
READ MORE ON JEREMY EDWARDS
“Nowadays it’d be DMs, but back then the ladies weren’t afraid to let you know if they fancied you.
“I got all sorts of propositions, as you can imagine, at nightclubs. They weren’t shy.
“But now things are different. I’m a husband, a dad, and my kids are my main priority.
“I like to be around for them as much as possible – having breakfast together and doing the school run.
“Although, I do still hear mums at the school gates saying, ‘Yeah, I fancied him when I was younger.’”
Jeremy’s rise to fame wasn’t just limited to the screen.
His and hit singer Rachel’s romance captivated the nation, earning them the title of Britain’s number one celebrity couple – outshining even Posh and Becks.
In the early Noughties, Jeremy Edwards and Rachel were the golden couple of the celebrity world.
Their whirlwind romance was the stuff of fairytales, with Jeremy proposing to Rachel on Valentine’s Day at London’s Dorchester Hotel after just 18 months of dating.
“We had a wonderful relationship and were absolutely head over heels in love,” Jeremy recalls.
Million pound offer
“I adored that girl; she was amazing. We were very good for each other, but there was just too much pressure.
“We were offered £2 million for our wedding to appear in a magazine, and I turned it down.
“We actually knew each other before Hollyoaks and S Club 7 because we were both from Barnet in North London.
“I was a teen pin-up, and she was mates with another model friend of mine – so she was the younger sister’s friend.
9
9
9
“When we became famous, we bumped into each other at a party, got chatting, and the rest is history.”
However, after three years together and one year engaged, the pair decided to part ways – and eight months later he met his current wife Lydia.
“We walked away very much in love, and there was no third party involved,” Jeremy explains.
“Our relationship was in the public eye massively, and I simply couldn’t handle the fame – it didn’t suit me.
“We had a lot of money between us and were house hunting, but our decisions started clashing. I think the level of fame we were both experiencing just contributed to the breakup.”
Looking back, Jeremy now believes his ADHD, which he was diagnosed with four years ago, played a role in the breakup and his ability to manage the pressures of fame.
I didn’t like the attention from the cameras or being followed.
Jeremy Edwards
“In hindsight, I realise my ADHD brain was struggling – the anxiety it caused me was off the charts, which led to excessive drinking,” he admits.
“I like being successful, back then I did like being famous.
“Back then I also never stayed in the same job for more than four or five years.
“I enjoy doing all my jobs and keeping busy, but back then I didn’t like pressure and there’s nothing wrong with having a ‘normal job.’
“I didn’t like the attention from the cameras or being followed. Fame sent me over the edge, and that’s sad.”
9
9
9
Today, Jeremy juggles four businesses, including teaching neurodiverse students at the UK Film Academy, book writing, acting, and presenting on the teleshopping channel Ideal World.
He’s also launched, TWIST: The Way I See Things on his TikTok page @jeremytwist, which explores pressing issues in Britain, from homelessness and mental health to inequality and the cost-of-living crisis.
“I’ve written novels and children’s books. I love my teaching job, but I’m also about to perform in a play in Greenwich starting in May,” he says.
“I haven’t given up acting. I have a new agent and now my family is completely I am raring to go again. But it’s Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary this year, and I wouldn’t mind coming back for that.
“I love my projects and staying busy, but most importantly, I want to be around for my kids and watch them grow up.
“I take on jobs that allow me to see them and spend time with them. That’s important to me, but now I want to take on more acting roles. I feel ready for it.”
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
