Christmas might be over but with bombshells aplenty dropped over the festive season, it’s safe to say that all is not well in Hollyoaks come the New Year.
In the wake of the festivities, viewers are treated to snippets of conversations shared between our villagers over the past six days and we find the residents hopeful to enter the next year.
Not everyone is so optimistic, however, with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) grappling with the knowledge of dad Ste (Kieron Richardson) and former flame Dillon Ray’s (Nathaniel Dass) betrayal.
The young chef, as fans know, uncovered the truth of the pair’s affair over the holiday season – just hours after sharing his hope of a fresh start.
But come next week, Ste has successfully rekindled things with Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey), much to the chagrin of Dillon, who reckons he’s in love with his ex’s dad.
With New Year’s Eve approaching, Rex and Ste look to the future once more – that is until they run into Dillon.
Ste checks in on his son’s former boyfriend, wanting to know if he’s sober. Dillon insists that he is, though he remains resentful towards Ste and Rex.
Ste once again begs him to keep shtum about their affair, determined to keep Lucas in the dark. Little do they know, however, that Lucas already knows.
Speaking of Lucas, the teen pockets a bottle of Mercedes McQueen’s (Jennifer Metcalfe) medicine bottles after she drops her bag in the village.
Later, he maintains his facade as he offers to cook a meal for Ste. But just what is he up to?
Mercedes, meanwhile, apologises to Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) for shooting Tony (Nick Pickard).
But, having been unable to report her due to Tony’s request to keep quiet about the incident, Diane instead reveals everything to Darren and Nancy Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson and Jessica Fox)!
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How will they react?
Darren’s surely not going to be too pleased, given that he was arrested for the crime. Later in the week, Mercy struggles and she’s upset when she’s unable to get in touch with Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas).
Gemma Johnston (Tisha Merry), meanwhile, wonders how Mercedes would feel knowing her and Warren have slept together.
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Later, Mercedes and Warren talk things out, with Mercy apologising for what she said previously. Warren admits that he was devastated to hear what she told Theresa (Jorgie Porter) on Christmas Day, having planned to propose to her prior to this.
How will Merce feel?
Elsewhere, Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) speak to Donny Clark (Louis Emerick), hoping to get him to open up. Donny is cold in response. Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi), meanwhile, opens up to Donny later in the week.
And speaking of Dodger, love is in the air for him and Theresa but things get awkward when Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mukerrin) returns home, given that Cleo knows about his ordeal.
And as for Cleo, things are on the up for her and Sienna Blake (Anna Passey).
Later, New Years’ Eve beckons and the Hutchinson kids head to The Loft. Ant (Brook Debio) reckons he can get some booze with Dee-Dee’s (Chloe Atkinson) help.
Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence), meanwhile, wants Frankie (Isabelle Smith) to have a good time and put her worries aside but there’s little chance of that happening when Sully (Harry French) walks in.
Refusing to be scared any longer, Frankie accuses Sully of being her stalker, believing that he’s been tormenting her so that he could act the hero.
Sully denies the accusation – but will Dee Dee reveal that she’s actually to blame?
It’s going to be quite the New Year in the village, that’s for sure!
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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