Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks has confirmed dramatic birth scenes for Leela Lomax, as her husband Joel Dexter searches for his ex, Cleo McQueen.
Cleo is currently being held captive by her abusive partner Abe, while her family and friends believe that she is travelling in Bali.
But this week, Abe’s dark secret threatens to be exposed when it is revealed that Cleo’s pass was used in the hospital and there are rumours that she might have returned to the village.
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In scenes that will air next week, Abe is on edge and feels under pressure that Joel is attempting to get in touch with Cleo.
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Cleo suggests it might be time for her to make her return so they can be together on the outside, but Abe shuts this down by saying the village still haven’t forgiven her for his mum Marie’s death – even though she is very much alive.
Meanwhile, heavily pregnant Leela is nervous about her hospital induction the next day, and she is reassured by Joel. Leela discusses unrequited love, which resonates with another village resident.
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Joel receives a voicemail from Cleo who tells him to leave her alone, and Leela is furious to find out that Joel has been trying to contact his ex.
Later, Leela’s waters break before she can be induced, and with Joel unaware that she has gone into labour, Abe goes in the ambulance with her.
With Cleo left alone in the flat, she decides to walk around the living room, and as Joel is leaving Price Slice, he thinks he can hear her singing upstairs.
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As Leela’s labour progress, she is in pain and is panicking that something might go wrong. But Joel ignores her call, as he is busy in his quest to find Cleo.
Leela isn’t happy that Joel has abandoned her for Cleo, but Abe assures her that this isn’t the case, as Cleo is still hundreds of miles away in Bali.
She soon gets good news when the midwife shows her that the baby has a strong heartbeat, and the labour is progressing normally – but she is still without her husband.
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Joel eventually races to Leela’s side, but he ends up arriving after their daughter is born, with Leela forced to have Abe as her birthing partner during the labour.
The Lomaxes gather by Leela’s bedside in touching scenes, but later Leela is emotional and can’t stop crying.
She tells Joel that she is just overwhelmed, but is she hiding something?
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid 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.
