Loose Women panellist Kelle Bryan has opened up about how she attempted to change the culture at Hollyoaks since it became embroiled in a racism scandal two years ago.
The Channel 4 soap was hit with allegations of racism behind the scenes after former star Rachel Adedeji listed slurs and racial injustices she claimed to have seen on set.
In response, Hollyoaks launched an investigation and cast at the time had reportedly threatened to quit over the row, with bosses forced into a string of crisis meetings.
Speaking to the Mirror at the British Soap Awards last weekend, Kelle - who played Martine Devereux from 2018 to 2022 - spoke about her decision to quit the soap and said that she had done "so much" to try and change the culture behind the scenes.
Explaining her decision to quit as "both tough and not tough", she said: "I think if you've come to a job to achieve something and you've achieved it, it's the right time. I came to change things, I think I've really had an influence in changing the culture at Hollyoaks. We've become far more inclusive. I know we've had a few troubles in the past in regards to all of that and I really wanted to make a difference.
"So I feel like that has been impacted and the change has happened and still is happening. It's never definitive because we're all still learning and we're all still growing and challenging each other to do better. So I feel like that's done.
"For me, the impact of the unconscious bias episode, which I was very heavily involved with - I got my first script editor credit - I feel like I did everything I came here to do.
"I've been given the most amazing storylines that some people have had to work years to get. I came in with a real impact and I've done so much so I feel really blessed and very satisfied, creatively."
Kelle also opened up about taking part in the first all-black Loose Women panel, revealing that she and her co-stars "sobbed" after filming the episode.
Charlene White, Judi Love, Brenda Edwards and Kelle appeared on the programme together for the very first time in October 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
Viewers had hailed the episode as "refreshing and inspiring" at the time, leading them to win a Daytime Programme Award at the RTS Awards.
"Black Lives Matter has really forced people to look at themselves and the institutions and look at ways that we could improve," she explained. "I am quite forthright in what I say so whatever environment I'm in, if any kind of discrimination is going on, I will say.
"I am that kind of person. I like to give an institution or an organisation a chance to change because I think by having those conversations, that's what's important. Having those open conversations and hoping that people will hear you, listen and take those things on board.
"Winning RTS for the first ever all-black panel of Loose Women was incredible. It just felt like validation because we all sobbed at the end of the show, we were crying our eyes out when they were like, 'Three, two, one and we're off air!'
"We all just cried because it was such a monumental moment for all of us who have been in the industry for such a long time. So to have been able to achieve that, it made the world.'"
*British Soap Awards is available to rewatch on ITV Hub
