Hollyoaks airs sinister Abe Fielding and Cleo McQueen scenes as abuse story takes very dark turn
Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Friday’s (June 14) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on Friday June 17 at 7pm.
Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) sunk to a devastating new low, using Cleo McQueen’s (Nadine Mulkerrin) eating disorder in a bid to control her as he ensured that she got seriously drunk, before encouraging her to be sick.
The abuser, whose behaviour has left viewers incredibly disturbed, turned violent last month after Leela and Joel Dexter’s (Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Rory Douglas-Speed) wedding, as he attacked Cleo with a bouquet of flowers.
Cleo called out his vile behaviour at the time but Abe, ever the manipulator, was swift in turning the tables and playing the victim, manipulating Cleo into giving him another shot.
Friday’s streaming offering of the show saw Cleo overwhelmed with joy as she landed a promotion at work. Abe, however, made little effort to congratulate her, instead voicing his concern over how little time they’ll spend together.
What’s more, he was frustrated when Cleo revealed her desire to celebrate with colleagues including Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) as she had previously planned to spend the day with him.Cleo was horrified as he gripped her arm, prompting her to pull away.
Abe attempted to make things right with a party at the McQueen residence, but Cleo – unaware that he had organised the bash – voiced her frustration over Abe with her friends. The abuser overheard and Cleo was quick to apologise when she realised that he was behind the party.
Abe pretended to brush the whole thing off, encouraging Cleo to dance. Once she was out of sight, however, he filled her drink with a serious amount of alcohol, with Cleo becoming very drunk.
Knowing she wouldn’t remember what he’d said, his demeanour became more and more threatening as he revealed his intention to teach Cleo ‘a lesson’ as he told her to be sick in the bin. Cleo did as she was told, with sinister Abe snapping a picture of her shortly afterwards and uploading it online to his stories.
How will Cleo react when she comes to realise what he’s done? And what’s more, will it impact her promotion?
It’ll certainly impact her self-confidence, that’s for sure, with Abe making it his mission to destroy that very thing next week when he manipulates her into attending a workout class in the village.
Holyoaks is working with the Home Office on the storyline in question. The partnership between producers Lime Pictures and the Home Office is part of a Government campaign called Enough, which has been established to tackle violence against women and girls
Hollyoaks streams weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
