When Hollyoaks legend James Sutton filmed his emotional goodbye as John Paul McQueen he cried real tears as he knew he was closing the chapter on 20 years of his life.

Hunky James, 43, made the decision to leave the soap at the beginning of last year as his character was being used less and less. 

Frustrated, he decided to concentrate on his well-being and fitness, and now in his only interview he reveals that he is in the best shape of his life both physically and mentally.

He said: ‘The show has changed a lot over the last couple of years, going down to three shorter episodes, and they are telling stories in different ways. 

‘So for someone like me, who has been acting since I was eight years old, and if I’m employed as an actor and I’m not acting, then it was starting to get a little frustrating. 

‘I reached the point where I just thought, if I don’t do something now, then in a blink another five years would’ve have passed. 

Hollyoaks legend James Sutton is taking a bold new direction - as he strips down to his underwear for a subscription-only site

Hollyoaks legend James Sutton is taking a bold new direction – as he strips down to his underwear for a subscription-only site

The 43-year-old, who has played John Paul McQueen on and off since 2006, last year announced his intention to leave the soap

The 43-year-old, who has played John Paul McQueen on and off since 2006, last year announced his intention to leave the soap 

‘I’m 43 now and just want to be active and creative, I didn’t want to be sat waiting around for something to happen. I wanted to take back control of my life.’ 

Back in 2024, brutal budget cuts at Channel 4 saw Hollyoaks reduced from five episodes per week to three shorter 20 minute episodes, and a shift to digital-first viewing. 

The cost-cutting move also meant the loss of 130 jobs at the Liverpool-based soap which celebrated its 30th birthday last October.

James said: ‘So many of the crew had been there for years, so it really was an awful time. 

‘And I do feel like a lot of the heart of the show had kind of been ripped out to be honest. 

‘It was more about the crew that left who were all local. Actors come and go, it’s part of the job, but the crew, some of them had been there since Brookside days, so it was heartbreaking. 

‘Scousers are hilarious, warm, generous, and incredibly talented, so to lose all those people, I do think the energy of the place has never recovered. 

‘It used to be something quite special going to work but sadly that all changed.’

James told bosses of his decision to leave this time last year, and saw out the rest of his contract which ended in January. 

He said: ‘I accepted the situation for what it was, and thought I’m going to use it in the most positive way I can. 

‘And ultimately they gave me the gift of time. All those days, weeks and months that I wasn’t filming, I’ve got myself into the best shape of my life. 

As John Paul, James has tackled several storylines including denial of his homosexuality and becoming the victim of male rape

As John Paul, James has tackled several storylines including denial of his homosexuality and becoming the victim of male rape

But perhaps the character's most notable storyline is John Paul's romantic relationship with his friend Craig Dean

But perhaps the character’s most notable storyline is John Paul’s romantic relationship with his friend Craig Dean

‘I started writing again, I launched my own platform, I realised just how much I missed being creative and of service to other people, and I’m now genuinely in the best place I’ve ever been in my entire adult life. 

‘I haven’t sat around being bitter and angry and resentful. I’ve gone, actually, you know what? 

‘If this is the situation, if I’m not needed on the show or wanted on the show or valued by the show then I’m going to do my own thing. 

‘And, you know, I’ve come out of it, I’m ambitious and I’m grounded. I wake up every day, I’ve got structure, direction, identity. I genuinely feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life.’

One of James’ most memorable storylines saw his much-loved character John Paul come out as gay after he developed feelings for his best friend Craig Dean. 

The storyline aired in early 2007 just a few months after he joined the cast. And even now, he still gets men reaching out to him about the impact it had on their own lives.

James said: ‘There’s this whole generation of men in their 30s and 40s who came out because of John Paul’s storyline. 

‘It was the first time they’d seen someone on the television at half-past-six in the evening, while they were sat their with their parents or their nan watching John Paul and thinking, that’s me. 

‘And that’s the legacy that will live on. He was such an important character and it was such an important story to tell. I still get people messaging me to this day about it, and I always reply to those people. 

‘To have impacted one person through your work is an amazing thing but to have impacted a whole generation of LGTBQ+ people is really really special and it’s something that I will always carry with me. 

‘The whole community have always been so supportive when I’m out doing things, because it’s been such a huge huge part of my life. And I say that from such a privileged position as a straight white man. 

‘You have to almost be invited into that community to be able speak on their behalf. 

‘So to have been a figurehead on television is a really beautiful thing that I don’t ever take for granted. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve done over the years.’

While James hasn’t given up the day job, he will be working on a short film later this year, his main focus is his online platform Protocol which he launched last year. 

The actor has been open about his physical and mental journey and wants to help others who may be stuck.

He explains: ‘It’s essentially an adult reset system. It’s for adults who are stuck, who feel like they’re struggling, feel a bit lost, lacking in direction. It’s all based on lived experience. 

James initially played John Paul from 2006 to 2008, followed by a brief Emmerdale stint and later returned to Hollyoaks at various times over the years

James initially played John Paul from 2006 to 2008, followed by a brief Emmerdale stint and later returned to Hollyoaks at various times over the years

‘It’s everything that I’ve been through and the changes that I’ve made in my life and the things that I know are valuable to people. I publish a letter every week, there’s long form content on my website. 

‘It’s very much about stepping up to being your best self, the person you were born to be. 

‘It’s about building self-trust, keeping tiny little promises to yourself every single day that compound until you can become someone that you can trust. 

‘So when you make the big decisions, they don’t feel as scary, and that leads to more of a firm direction in your life, and then ultimately an identity that you are proud of. I’m also looking at taking it into the real world at some point this year, hopefully I’ll do TED talks and some corporate stuff too.’

James admits the changes in himself started during COVID when he realised what a mess he was making of his life.

He said: ‘I was such a mess during COVID. I was not well. I was drinking too much, I was not a good friend. I was not a good husband. I was struggling and had no real direction.’

James split with his wife Rachael Collin in 2023 and is now happily single, concentrating on himself. 

He said: ‘I’m just so focused on the year ahead, I wake up in the morning, I’m happy and I feel grateful for everything that I have going on in my life. 

‘I just feel so fulfilled with Protocol and with writing and with being creative and being of service is such a huge part of that because I love helping people.’

Having got into the best shape of his life, James is now showing off his cheeky side by joining online platform subs.com a new subscription service which was set up last year by the founder of Only Fans.

James said: ‘I’ve never felt particularly proud of how I looked, I’ve never had body confidence. 

‘Anyone who ever watched Hollyoaks will know that I’ve never really had my top off on the show. I think maybe twice in 20 years. 

‘And this is the first time that I feel really proud of how I look, so why not join a platform like subs? 

‘It’s a but cheeky and ultimately it’s a part of who I am right now. So I’ve got Protocol which is for people who want structure and some direction and then if you want to see me in my pants you can go and subscribe to @thejamessutton on subs.com.

It’s a bit of fun and it’s nice to feel sexy. Do you know what I mean? I just want to give the boys and girls what they want!’.

During last night’s episode of Hollyoaks (Weds) viewers saw the return of Gemma Merna, Leah Hackett, Hollie-Jay Bowes, Annie Wallace and David Tag, for a special scene as John Paul contemplated how his life could’ve turned out during a dream sequence. 

In 2019, James reprised the role for his latest stint and remained for seven years until his imminent exit

In 2019, James reprised the role for his latest stint and remained for seven years until his imminent exit

His final scene will be shown during Monday’s episode and will see John Paul leave the village for good after saying an emotional goodbye to his mum Myra, played by Nicole Barber Lane, 55, his sister Mercedes, portrayed by actress Jennifer Metcalfe, 42, and cousin Theresa, played by Jorgie Porter, 38.

James said: ‘It was great to have the girls back, and Annie obviously, who I just adore.

‘It meant the world that they all agreed to return for my exit. I just wish we’d all had the entire episode not just a couple of scenes. 

‘But I am sure the viewers loved it, seeing us all back together again. And honestly, it was one of the best days I’ve ever had on set.’

On filming his final ever scene with Nicole, Jennifer and Jorgie, he said: ‘It was John Paul saying goodbye to Myra, Mercedes and Theresa. 

‘John Paul saying goodbye to the family and James saying goodbye to his his work family was the same scene. So, yeah, that was tough. 

‘John Paul was crying, but they’re not John Paul’s tears, they are James’ tears. 



‘I’d practically spent my whole adult life at Hollyoaks. Obviously I went to Emmerdale for a couple of years and did a load of theatre, but from a serious career standpoint, these people have had the biggest impact on me.

‘The crew, the cast, they are the people that I love and cherish, and with the greatest respect, there’s a lot of people I’m never going to see again, that’s just the way life is, isn’t it? 

‘But working with these people so intensely for so long and then you leave and that’s kind of it. So it was a really sad day.’

James was presented with a bunch of flowers and a Hollyoaks sign following his final ever scene. All the crew came down and they did a little speech. 

But sadly there wasn’t a big leaving do as it was the first week in January. 

He said: ‘It was lovely to go out surrounded by the best people, because the people up at Hollyoaks really are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. 

‘But now, I’m very much focused on the future, and I’m excited about the year ahead and what’s coming next.’

For more information about Protocol, where James writes about structure and direction readers can visits his website www.thejamessutton.com