Hollyoaks’ Nikki Sanderson breaks silence as she quits as Maxine Minniver after 12 years: ‘I was badly sacked’
After 12 years at the heart of Hollyoaks, actress Nikki Sanderson has made an emotional exit from her role as Maxine Minniver, closing a chapter that has spanned over a decade and delivered some of the show’s most explosive storylines. But behind the bittersweet farewell lies a bombshell – Nikki claims her departure wasn’t as smooth as it seemed: “I was badly sacked.”
In scenes aired on Wednesday, April 16, fans watched Maxine leave the village in dramatic fashion. After a staged shooting to prove Dodger Savage’s loyalty to villain Grace Black, it was revealed that Maxine had survived, and the entire ordeal was a set-up to fake her death. The plan? To help her and daughter Minnie flee the country, with the secret support of Sienna Blake.
Before her exit, Maxine took one last risky detour – visiting Mercedes McQueen in prison under a false identity, offering to take the fall for Abe Fielding’s murder in exchange for revenge on Grace. Then came the tearful goodbyes, the last looks, and Maxine’s final ride away from Hollyoaks.
While the on-screen farewell was gripping, Nikki has since dropped a shock twist of her own: her exit wasn’t entirely by choice.
“It’s the weirdest feeling because it’s the end of an era,” Nikki shared. “It’s exciting, but also really sad… It’s going to be very different. I’m still getting used to this new normal.”
Though the star reflected positively on the journey and her iconic character’s growth, she later revealed a more painful truth:
“I thought it was the right time. But what I didn’t expect was to feel like I’d been pushed. I was badly sacked.”
It’s a startling claim that’s left fans stunned, especially considering Nikki’s enormous contribution to the soap. Since joining in 2012, she’s been at the centre of powerful stories – from domestic abuse to serious illness – earning acclaim and admiration.
Despite her shocking revelation, Nikki remains grateful for the experience:
“I’ve been blessed with incredible storylines. Hollyoaks gave me the chance to grow, and I will always treasure that. I just wish the end had been handled differently.”
As Maxine’s dramatic arc concludes, Nikki’s future is wide open.
“I’ve been acting since I was a little girl. It’s what I love, it’s my passion. Now I’m ready to see where the next chapter takes me.”
Whether it was a mutual decision or a controversial dismissal, one thing is clear: Nikki Sanderson’s departure marks the end of an era for Hollyoaks. And if her words are any hint, the drama may have just begun – off-screen.
