FROM HOLLYOAKS TO HOLLYWOOD TO HESWALL!
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Photo credit: Demian Bretta
FROM HOLLYOAKS TO HOLLYWOOD TO HESWALL!
Wirral Life is delighted to welcome actor and lifestyle commentator, Andy Newton Lee, as our newest columnist. Best known for his roles in Hollyoaks, Casualty and Coronation Street, Andy brings with him a fascinating backstory that spans British soaps, Hollywood, Mexico— and now, happily, Heswall.
After leaving behind a fast-paced and often chaotic 15 years in Los Angeles, where he ran his own celebrity relocation business, Andy has landed firmly on the Wirral. With a few years in Mexico and plenty of global adventures in between, he joins Wirral Life ready to share insights on lifestyle, wellness, travel and— when permitted— the odd top-secret celebrity anecdote. Most importantly, he’ s come home.
“ I feel incredibly grounded here,” Andy says.“ Heswall has welcomed my family with open arms. It really does feel like home.”
We caught up with Andy to talk about his journey from Hollyoaks to Hollywood, and how he found himself swapping LA for the Wirral.
So Andy, welcome to Wirral Life— literally. You’ ve been on quite the journey. Living in LA, running your own company … it sounds like the dream. You must have some stories.
“ I don’ t really know where to start— it’ s been a whirlwind,” he laughs.“ I was a young actor back in the UK when there were only five TV channels, did the rounds of the soaps and dramas, and then moved to LA. That’ s where I founded my entertainment and celebrity relocation company, Next Stop LAX.”
Andy spent 15 years in Los Angeles, from 2005 to 2020, helping actors and high-profile clients transition to life in Hollywood.“ Since 2020, though, the industry has slowed down over there. I figured it was time to bow out and put the US chapter in a box for now. Disappointingly, it hasn’ t bounced back in the way people expected— but I’ ve got no regrets. I’ ve got plenty of crazy stories!”
Hollywood to Heswall feels like a leap. How did that happen?“ Well, as I mentioned, I left LA in 2020, and at the time my sister was already living in Heswall with her partner and their two children. My parents would visit and loved it so much that they soon decided to move here too. Without really realising it, Heswall became my base
whenever I was back in the UK. We absolutely love this part of the country. I’ d barely heard of the Wirral before, but a local once told me,‘ No one talks about the Wirral because we don’ t want people knowing about the Wirral,’ which really made me laugh. The people here have been incredibly friendly and welcoming— it genuinely feels like a home from home for us.”
You also spent time in Mexico— tell us about that.“ I went to Tulum in 2020 to escape the harsh lockdowns in LA and the UK. With hotel quarantines and constant travel restrictions, I ended up staying for two years. Five years later, I now have my own social wellness and fitness studio there.”
He smiles.“ It was all serendipity. My motto has always been: sometimes you just have to show up, make the right connections, and let the universe do its thing.”
You recently attended the Hollyoaks 30th anniversary party. How was it seeing everyone after 20 years?“ It was surreal stepping back into the Hollyoaks world after all that time,” he admits.“ But it was lovely seeing familiar faces— and plenty of new ones. I helped a lot of the cast make the move to LA back in the day, so it’ s always felt like one big family. I’ d like to think we helped put Hollyoaks on the map in the US.”
Andy also brought the editors of Wirral Life along for the celebrations.“ As soon as we walked in, Nicky disappeared with a glass of champagne. Next thing I know, she’ s chatting away to Duncan James like they’ re old mates. I found that pretty hilarious!”
So what’ s next for you— and for your Wirral Life column?“ Over the coming months, there’ ll be plenty of fun, social events and exploration,” Andy says.“ But I’ m especially keen to dive into the health and wellness side of things— to really see what the Wirral and surrounding areas have to offer. I might even take a few new ideas back to Mexico.”
Expect local insights, interesting people, celebrity interviews and a genuine deep-dive into the best the Wirral has to offer.“ I want to get into the nooks and crannies,” he says.“ This is just the beginning.” Watch this space. wirrallife. com 7