The British soap world was rocked in 2019 when two of its biggest names, Asan N’Jie (Emmerdale) and Jamie Lomas (Hollyoaks), were caught in a heated altercation that ended one man’s career — at least temporarily. What began as an ugly scandal at a glamorous awards night has, five years later, evolved into one of television’s most dramatic real-life redemption stories.

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The 2019 Incident: A Night That Changed Everything

On September 11, 2019, reports emerged of a shocking brawl between N’Jie and Lomas at the TV Choice Awards, held at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel.

CCTV footage captured N’Jie shouting threats at Lomas, including an alleged promise to “kill” him, before security quickly intervened and escorted him away. The dispute was rumored to have been sparked by a financial disagreement, though neither party publicly detailed the cause.

The fallout was immediate. Within 24 hours, ITV terminated N’Jie’s contract on Emmerdale, where he played Ellis Chapman. Viewers and colleagues alike expressed disbelief as the actor’s promising career came to an abrupt halt.

N’Jie later released a public apology, admitting his behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and apologizing to Lomas, ITV, and the award organizers. However, with media headlines dominated by reports of a “stabbing threat,” his reputation suffered severe damage.

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Asan N’Jie’s Redemption Arc: From Scandal to Success

After the scandal, many assumed N’Jie’s acting career was over. Yet, against the odds, he mounted a remarkable comeback — slowly rebuilding trust and landing major new roles.

Television Roles:

• In 2020, he joined the BBC crime drama Bloodlands, starring opposite James Nesbitt.

• He later appeared in HBO’s acclaimed finance drama Industry, marking his transition into more mature, international projects.

Film Success:

• In 2023, N’Jie starred alongside John Travolta in Disney’s Christmas film The Shepherd, a high-profile step that reintroduced him to mainstream audiences.

• He is also part of the upcoming biopic Giant, centered on boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, where he shares screen time with Pierce Brosnan.

Industry insiders now view N’Jie as one of the few soap actors to successfully rebound from scandal, demonstrating persistence, talent, and self-awareness in rebuilding his image.

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Jamie Lomas: A Career Unshaken

While N’Jie faced professional exile, Jamie Lomas continued his long-standing success on Hollyoaks.

Return to Villainy: Lomas reprised his role as Warren Fox, one of the soap’s most iconic antagonists, earning praise for his complex and charismatic performance.

Awards and Recognition: In 2024, Lomas won Best Actor at the National Film Awards, cementing his legacy as one of the UK’s most durable soap talents.

Beyond Hollyoaks: Lomas’s fame extended beyond the soap world when he finished runner-up on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2017. Off-screen, he recently celebrated personal milestones, including news that he and his fiancée are expecting a child.

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Five Years Later: Lessons and Legacy

The 2019 altercation remains one of British soap’s most infamous off-screen moments, a cautionary tale about fame, temper, and redemption. Yet it also highlights how time, humility, and persistence can rewrite even the most scandalous headlines.

Asan N’Jie has evolved from a cautionary story into a comeback success, while Jamie Lomas continues to thrive as one of television’s most consistent leading men.

Five years on, both actors have proven that even from the ruins of controversy, a second act is always possible — if you’re willing to fight for it.