Cleo’s boyfriend Abe showed his dark side…
Hollyoaks spoilers follow from Thursday’s episode on Channel 4 streaming, which doesn’t air on E4 until Friday.
Note: This article discusses domestic violence.
Hollyoaks aired a violent scene as Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter faced the reality of their shared kiss.
Joel has been busy preparing for his wedding with Leela Lomax, which he had hastily arranged, but has been torn by his feelings for his ex Cleo, who is dating his brother Abe Fielding.
In last night’s (May 22) first-look episode, Joel and Leela got into an argument after she slapped his mother Marie, with Joel subsequently getting drunk at The Dog and attempting to kiss Cleo.
She pulled away but clearly had torn feelings, with tonight’s (May 23) first-look episode picking up as a hungover Joel was woken by Tony and Diane after a night of heavy drinking.
As he went for a coffee and a walk to clear his head, Cleo arrived to fill in his memory. She stated that she was willing to brush it under the carpet for the sake of his big day with Leela, but he was unsure of his feelings.
Abe saw the pair talking but quickly went to Marie, who was intent on ruining the big day following her altercation with Leela. Abe, meanwhile, tried to downplay the situation, fearing that Joel could go back to Cleo if he doesn’t tie the knot with Leela.
Cleo continued to speak to Joel in the hope of focusing his mind on Leela despite admitting that she would always have a “special” connection with him, declaring that they had shared their final kiss. Marie, who was lurking in the background, now had the perfect ammunition for her plan.
She went to Leela’s, who was now dressed up in white, to stir the pot, teasing the prospective bride by hinting that there could be trouble in paradise. She teased some more at the ceremony by pretending to object, giving the couple a scare in the process.
After plenty of dancing and drinking, a drunk Cleo and Abe returned home, with Abe lashing out at Cleo after growing jealous of the time she spent with Joel. He resorted to hitting her with the bouquet of flowers, leaving her covering her face…
Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) and Women’s Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
