Sarah Jayne Dunn’s departure from a high-profile role in Hollyoaks marked a major upheaval in her professional life. After more than 25 years portraying Mandy Richardson on the long-running soap, the actress’s decision to launch an OnlyFans account triggered a contract conflict that reshaped her career trajectory.
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Long-Standing Role Comes to an End
Dunn played Mandy Richardson on the youth-focused series Hollyoaks since 1996, returning multiple times and becoming a familiar face to the show’s viewers.
The Trigger: OnlyFans Account Launch
In October 2021, Dunn announced she would be creating content on OnlyFans. She described the move as an effort to “take control” of her image and income, especially after years of being directed into glamour photography and modelling roles.
Conflict with Hollyoaks Producers
Producers of Hollyoaks stated that because the show is “youth-facing” with many young viewers, it prohibits cast members from participating in certain 18+ sites. A resolution was sought but ultimately not reached. The show confirmed her departure.
The Consequences
As a result of her refusal to remove or suspend her OnlyFans account, Dunn’s contract was terminated with immediate effect. She has said she was shocked by the suddenness of the decision—she did not even receive a proper wrap-up for her character’s storyline.
Ambition, Empowerment and Backlash
While Dunn argues her OnlyFans work is no more explicit than previous glamour shoots and is part of her empowerment initiative, she has faced backlash both publicly and from within the industry, including discrete contract changes for cast members after her departure.
Where She Stands Now
Despite the controversy, Dunn says she has no regrets and believes keeping her OnlyFans content was the right choice for her and her family. She has moved into content creation full-time and insists the decision was about autonomy, not just shock value.
Sarah Jayne Dunn Official Instagram: @sarahjaynedunn
