OnlyFans model Alaw Haf supports Hollyoaks actor Sarah Jane Dunn

The actress, who first portrayed her character Mandy Richardson in the long-running Chester set soap in1996, says has lost out on her £120,000 per year job for “taking back control".

She said: “This is a decision I’ve thought long and hard about, not one I’ve taken lightly or on a whim, it’s about taking back control, about empowerment and confidence and having full power over my choices."

Image: Alaw Haf

Alaw Haf, 24, who makes most of her OnlyFans content in her parents' home and garden in Mold, said she was sad for Sarah, but also proud of her.

She said: "I’m very sad for Sarah, this is going to be a great loss to the show. Acting has been a big part of her life so I am sure this outcome has been difficult for her. I am also proud of Sarah, I am proud that she is a strong, powerful woman who has decided that she wants to do something different, knowing that she will be judged and probably receive a lot of trolling for it, but hasn’t let it stop her."

Alaw said she had faced similar prejudice, with other women as well as men telling her her choice of work is not valid or worthwhile.

Alaw, who recently had a charity pull out of an agreement to accept a donation from the proceeds of her calendar, added: "Yes, it’s the stigma yet again. I have received comments and complaints in previous work places about what I do and my social media accounts.

"We are in 2021, we need to accept that there are opportunities to earn incomes digitally now, since COVID more people are working from home too, we are not all tied down to the conventional 9-5 jobs anymore.

"Times are changing, as long as it’s legal, not harming you or anyone else, you’re paying tax like everyone else, why does it matter to someone else what you do for a living?"

Model Alaw Haf in the new Wrexham AFC home shirt.

The former gym worker, who graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in law, said she was surprised that Channel 4, which champions diversity and inclusivity, made the decision.

She said: "I’m not really sure how I feel about it all to be honest. Upon looking at Sarah’s Instagram, and her stating it would still only be her racier images going on to her Only Fans profile I don’t see why there was ever an issue. We have all seen the Hollyoaks Babes and Hollyoaks Hunks calendars in the past, which was a similar level of photography and also available to purchase by the public.

"Channel 4 have explained it’s due to their young audience but it’s not like Sarah was going to be advertising it on the show. I understand maybe they are concerned it may influence their young audience to sign up or join these subscription websites but there are ID verification barriers that should prevent that from happening.

"I have always admired how open minded Channel 4 are with the topics of the shows that they broadcast. I particularly enjoyed their drama “Adult Material” which delved into the life of an adult actress in the adult entertainment industry, they have also covered extremely important sex-related topics such as HIV/AIDS with their drama “It’s a Sin.” Which makes me think it may have been more public pressure and judgment that made their decision for them."

Alaw added: "Although we are in 2021, a lot of people still shame the sex industry, and people, especially women, are still being slut-shamed for being sexual and confident. It is the stigma surrounding the industry taking affect again."

Channel 4 explained the reason for sacking Sarah Jane Dunn.

Sarah Jayne Dunn (Ian West/PA)

Hollyoaks said: “Hollyoaks is a youth-facing drama with many young viewers, who follow our cast very closely, both in the soap and outside of it.

“We take our responsibility to our young audience very seriously and therefore the show does not allow any Hollyoaks cast members to be active on certain 18+ websites.”

They added: “We had hoped we could reach a resolution with Sarah that would allow her to remain in her role as Mandy, but we respect her choice to continue to produce content on OnlyFans.

“In the past four years since her return to the show her legacy character has been an integral part of some our most important storylines and we will be very sad to see her go.”

Alaw, who has a degree in law and gave up a job as a fitness instructor, to focus on modelling, said it was disappointing that women can still be prevented from following their chosen careers.

She added: "It doesn’t worry me as such anymore, it upsets me that I have had to rule out a lot of career choices due to the glamour modelling. But I did think about this before joining these websites. I worked hard in school, sixth form and university, nobody can take those qualifications away from me and I am glad I have them to potentially fall back on one day.

"Maybe one day I will end up with a job related to my experience on the sites and industry, who knows!"