Hollyoaks showdown as Darren confronts JJ over Frankie abuse – but a gutting twist follows
Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Friday’s (August 16) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on Monday August 19 at 7pm.
Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) lashed out at son JJ (Ryan Mulvey) in emotional scenes after discovering that he’s been abusing twin sister Frankie (Isabelle Smith).
After being subjected to horrific abuse at JJ’s hands, Frankie bravely confided in dad Darren. She instantly regretted saying anything, fearing that Darren wouldn’t believe her but, to her shock, he one hundred percent did.
Despite her decision to open up, however, Frankie was quite clear that she didn’t want to take this any further – and that no-one can know about what she had disclosed.
Darren struggled with such a thing and, when the opportunity arose, he decided to confront JJ, who had no clue that his dad was aware of the awful abuse he had inflicted on his sister.
JJ was still on cloud nine after getting signed and therefore he asked his dad for a lift to a party. But after getting into the car, Darren made it quite clear that he knew what JJ had been up to.
JJ claimed that Frankie was lying, attempting to shift the blame and discredit his sister, reminding Darren that she had accused Jack (Jimmy McKenna) of the same thing previously.
Darren, however, knew what deflection looked like and, appalled at the lengths JJ was going to in order to hide the truth, he proceeded to yell at him through tears, asking what kind of a person sexually abuses their own sister.
JJ became aggressive, showing his true nature, and in that moment, Darren saw his son for who he truly is.
Knowing this had to be revealed, Darren summoned Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall) to Basswood Road, informing her that JJ had been abusing Frankie.
Devastatingly, Suzanne didn’t believe Frankie, branding her own daughter’s claims ‘disgusting’. Suzanne helped JJ pack while Darren tried to make her see sense.
But her mind was made up as she and JJ left.
Frankie cried as her mum walked out but Darren – much like always – was quick to console her, promising to be by her side.
Hollyoaks streams weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
