Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) will be left devastated in Hollyoaks next week when her abuse at twin brother JJ’s (Ryan Mulvey) hands is revealed in a very public showdown.
The teen, as viewers know, bravely opened up to dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) earlier this month about the years of sexual abuse she suffered because of JJ.
In addition to forcing her to keep quiet, JJ had also groomed Frankie into thinking that no-one would believe her if she ever revealed her ordeal but, to her surprise, Darren never doubted her for a second.
The horrified dad confronted JJ at Basswood Road, knowing full well that he put Frankie through hell.
Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall), however, refused to believe her daughter, instead siding with JJ – and even stole Frankie’s phone to hide any potential evidence that would back up her truth.
In addition to coming to terms with her mum’s betrayal, Frankie receives even more bad news next week, learning that her place at dance school in London has been deferred for a year. The discovery leaves her gutted, especially because it means she’ll have to attend school with JJ.
Darren comes to her aid, with a heartfelt moment ensuing between the dad and daughter, with Frankie admitting that him taking care of her has been a dream come true.
Find out more
For more information on sibling sexual abuse, visit SARSAS or Sibling Sexual Abuse support, a website designed by and for Survivors of SSA.
Over at The Dog, JJ vents his frustrations to Suzanne, with Frankie subsequently confronting the pair, telling them that she won’t be hiding from JJ – and will return to school.
Enraged, JJ breaks into 17 Basswood Road to confront Frankie but Darren arrives home and catches the abuser, ordering him to hand over his keys. What’s more, he warns JJ that he has to tell Suzanne that he’s quitting Hollyoaks High.
At school the following day, the Osbornes are divided – and things get heated in the playground when JJ arrives, with Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) forced to intervene.
Sally attempts to find a solution, though she remains unaware of the real reason why JJ and Frankie need to be kept apart. JJ turns his attention to Darren, claiming that he has abandoned him. Nancy (Jessica Fox) witnesses the showdown and is left confused.
JJ takes it upon himself to tell Nancy a fabricated version of events, revealing that Frankie has made an allegation against him – but claims its all lies. Left with food for thought, Nancy sends him back to school and makes her way over to see Darren, informing him what JJ has told her.
Darren, left with little choice, decides that it’s time Nancy knew the truth.
What happens in the immediate aftermath remains to be seen but, later in the week, Frankie and Darren arrive in The Dog, where they bump into Suzanne and JJ.
Frankie remains heartbroken that her mum is standing by JJ but, as tempers flare, Suzanne calls out her daughter, with the whole pub overhearing.
Pearl Anderson (Dawn Hope) reaches out to Frankie, revealing that her sister Ruby was abused by her brother and she blames herself, confirming that they’ve lost touch as a result.
Pearl reiterates that her sister is the bravest person she ever knew for speaking up and, feeling for Frankie, she tells Suzanne that she nor JJ are welcome to stay with them anymore.
As the row spills outside, JJ turns against Suzanne, telling her that she’s ruined his life.
Will Suzanne finally realise that her daughter is telling the truth?
Hollyoaks streams weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
