Former Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn has defended her decision to maintain a career on the subscription platform OnlyFans, asserting that she is an "amazing mum" and aims to set a positive example for her son by being a strong, independent woman.

Dunn, 44, joined OnlyFans five years ago, sharing lingerie photos, a move that reportedly led to her departure from the soap opera. She has faced online criticism, particularly from men, who question her choices as a mother.

"I feel like if you live in that box where you're forever worried about what people are going to think or what people are going to say, you will never do anything and you will forever stay small," Dunn stated in an interview with the Daily Mail. She believes in pushing boundaries and speaking out, noting that her experience on the platform has been largely positive despite the presence of trolls.

Dunn specifically addressed comments targeting her motherhood, saying, "One of the biggest things I got was 'oh you're a mum' and that really irks me because I feel like as women, we are told that once you get married or you have kids or you turn a certain age that you're no longer valid or you should just skulk off into the shadows and actually that's just bull crap." She asserts her right to be a mother while also embracing her identity, feeling sexy, and wearing what she chooses.

Her husband, Jonathan Smith, has been supportive, noting that her current work offers more control and flexibility. "You're doing what you were doing, but you're making money off of it. You have full control of it," he reportedly said. This freedom allows Dunn to manage her schedule, including being present for school runs and events, a flexibility she lacked as a full-time actor.

When Dunn initially joined OnlyFans in 2021, while still a cast member of Hollyoaks, soap bosses stated her decision was "not in line" with the show's target audience. Dunn, however, continued to promote her content. She explained her decision stemmed from a desire for more control over her career, schedule, and income in the post-COVID era. Having previously done photoshoots for magazines and calendars throughout her career, she saw OnlyFans as a way to monetize and control the images she was already creating.

She also noted a shift in public perception of OnlyFans over the past five years, suggesting the stigma has lessened. "I've seen a change over the past five years. It was really controversial when I first joined," Dunn said. She pointed to the platform's growing acceptance, particularly in the United States, and a broader societal movement of women asserting their independence and control.

In addition to her OnlyFans content, Dunn has reunited with former Hollyoaks co-star James Sutton for OFTV's quiz show "Race of Wits." The series features teams of OnlyFans creators participating in challenges. Dunn described the experience as fun and a chance to be themselves, highlighting a good on-screen chemistry with Sutton.

The first episode of "Race of Wits" is available on OFTV, with Dunn and Sutton's episode scheduled for release on September 1.