Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks’ Lucas Hay faces his biggest fight yet next week, while Ste Hay discovers the disturbing truth about Rex Gallagher.
In a huge week for the soap, the harrowing exploitation plot will come to a head, with Frankie Osborne, Dillon Ray, Vicky Grant, Darren Osborne and Robbie Roscoe all facing the wrath of DI Banks’ gang in the manor house.
With the walls closing in, the corrupt cop eyes a hasty escape before he is caught – but Grace Black is also on a mission to remove all evidence that she and Rex were involved in the illegal operation.
“Grace is desperately attempting to clear her name and wants to make sure she can’t be linked to this gang,” says our source. “She manages to convince her brother to help, even though he is also secretly working with Donny and Dodger to rescue the vulnerable teens.”
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Meanwhile, Lucas is at the hospital ready for his operation to remove his brain tumour. He suffers another seizure but is told that the procedure will still be going ahead.
As Lucas’s risky surgery commences, Ste and Leela Dexter face an anxious wait for news on his condition.
Their already stressful day is made worse when Nancy Osborne confronts them about Frankie, who is still missing. She is concerned, and is hoping that Ste might be able to provide answers on what his boyfriend Rex is involved in.
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Ste is later heartbroken when he gets a distressing update about Lucas and is told that his beloved son suffered an unexpected bleed on the brain during his important operation.
As Ste goes through every parent’s worst nightmare, and with Lucas’s fate up in the air, Rex finally reaches his limit and breaks down in front of Grace.
“Rex has had enough of living a double life,” shares our insider. “He has done a lot wrong and has made many unforgivable decisions as part of the exploitation gang, but now he wants out and pleads with Grace to do the same. In emotional scenes, he tells his sister that she is continuing a cycle of abuse and needs to stop.”
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Afterwards, Rex finally decides to tell Ste the truth. He confesses that he was part of the gang and begs for his partner’s forgiveness.
With all that Ste is currently going through, how will he react to Rex’s shocking admission – and will he get any more news about Lucas?
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Hollyoaks has been working on Dillon and Frankie’s story with guidance from Causeway, which supports people affected by modern slavery and exploitation, as well as their loved ones. You can find more information on its website, and can also contact info@wearecauseway.co.uk or 03333 055 336.