• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• TV
• TV News
• Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks' Jamie Lomas putting off wedding after engagement 3 years ago

EXCLUSIVE Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, who has played villain Warren Fox for two decades, explains why he's in no rush to get married

[Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas has played villain Warren Fox for two decades]

View 5 Images

Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas has played villain Warren Fox for two decades(Image: PA)

Its been 20 years since Jamie Lomas debuted as Hollyoaks bad boy Warren Fox.

But the 51 year old has no plans to leave the villain behind anytime soon, telling us, I just love it. Ill take one day at a time, really. Its exciting times on the show and weve got some great stories coming.Im excited to see where it goes. Hopefully they dont kill me off again! They cant get rid of me.

Jamies character was killed off back in 2009. In true soap fashion, Warren returned from the dead a year later having faked his death. He has since left the show a handful of times, with Warren often forced to go on the run from the law after committing some very dark crimes, including murder, kidnapping and drug dealing.

But the actor says hes keen to stick around this time, after welcoming his daughter Bella with his fiance Jess Bell in 2024. Bella is two now, Jamie says. I got offered a couple of gigs going on tour last year, and I turned them down because I dont want to be away from home.

[Jamie, pictured with his partner Jess, was killed off back in 2009 before he returned ]

View 5 Images

Jamie, pictured with his partner Jess, was killed off back in 2009 before he returned (Image: @jamielomas21/Instagram)

"I think you realise as you get older, that time with your kids is precious. Theyre only small for so long. Getting a chance to do it again at my age now, you realise how quickly time goes, and you just want to cherish those moments as much as possible. Shes so funny, Bella, and Im really enjoying it.

Jamie is also a dad to daughter Polly, 15, who he shares with ex-wife Kym Marsh, and son Billy, 20, from a previous relationship. Jamie says daughter Bella adores Polly, and that Polly is a great big sister. Bella is great, he says. Shes beautiful, and very special.

"Polly helps with her, and Bella adores Polly. Bella comes home from nursery and shouts up the stairs for Polly. Shes so cute. Shes the best in the morning. She woke up the other morning, and shes into Toy Story at the moment.

"She goes, Woody, Buzz, and then opens her eyes and says, Dadda?, she was having a little dream. Jamie has been engaged to his partner Jess since 2023. While the couple do plan on getting married at some point, Jamie reveals they are holding off on the big day so that Bella can be a part of it.

[Its been 20 years since Jamie Lomas debuted as Hollyoaks bad boy Warren Fox]

View 5 Images

Its been 20 years since Jamie Lomas debuted as Hollyoaks bad boy Warren Fox(Image: Lime Pictures)

[Jamie with daughter Polly, who is big sister to Bella]

View 5 Images

Jamie with daughter Polly, who is big sister to Bella(Image: Instagram)

We said that we are going to wait until shes old enough, he says. We definitely will get married but we want Bella to be a little bit older to enjoy it. Family time is just one of the ways Jamie switches off after hours of playing villain Warren.

With Warrens kill count recently rising to 10, he says his fitness helps him to unwind after his heavy storylines. I play golf. I like to go around the golf course for five hours, although my missus is not too happy about that.

"I dont think about anything when Im on the golf course. Its very relaxing. I love boxing as well. I go boxing twice a week, thats my release. I go to the gym too, thats how I spend my spare time. That and spending time with my kids, my family and my partner.

"Its quite difficult to switch off sometimes, but I try to switch off as soon as I leave the set. There isnt much Warren hasnt done on the show. From burying bodies, to being sent to prison and even needing a liver transplant, hes been very busy for the past two decades.

[Jamie has no plans to leave the villain behind anytime soon]

View 5 Images

Jamie has no plans to leave the villain behind anytime soon(Image: Lime Pictures)

Jamie does hope bosses will line yet more evil storylines for his villainous character. I would love for him to go on a real rampage and start doing armed robberies, he says. Maybe he can get addicted to drugs or something, although hes so anti-drugs because of what happened to his sister Katy. The writers do such a good job. After taking some time out in 2024 following the birth of his daughter Bella, Warren jumped at the chance to return for the soaps 30th anniversary last year. On what brings him back every time, Jamie explains, Its always nice to put his mask back on.

"Its like coming back and starting again really. Youre starting with a blank canvas, and it was such an explosive ending the last time. There was a lot of unfinished business for him, so it was nice to come back and see what was in store.

Get the latest drama from the Dales by joining our Emmerdale WhatsApp group

After so long on the show, Jamie says the cast have become family to him. He tells us, I cant believe its 20 years. Id left for five years and went and did EastEnders, and numerous other things as well, but its just perfect.

Were like a family, but we actually are. My really close friends are Nick Pickard, Ashley Taylor Dawson and Jimmy McKenna. Ive worked with them for years, and well go and have a game of golf. We used to go out partying, but now we play golf.

I can remember starting Hollyoaks like it was yesterday. We had such a good time, back in the day. I get to work with Jennifer Metcalfe a lot now, who plays Warrens partner Mercedes McQueen. Ive known her since the day I started her, and we both started around about the same time, so we often talk about stories from back in the day, and then have a laugh about it, and how times have changed.

Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4's streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.