Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (January 8), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Note: This article contains detailed discussion of rape and domestic abuse.
Hollyoaks’ Marie Fielding has made a major discovery about her son Abe after Peri’s attack, in the show’s latest episode.
In harrowing scenes this week, Abe turned violent with his new wife Peri, then sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.
Peri told her family about the rape and abuse, and she found the courage to report Abe to the police. He was arrested but was later released pending an investigation.
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While Peri was left wondering if she will ever get justice, Cleo woke up from her coma, and in today’s episode, Leela and Joel went to the hospital to get some answers.
They told Cleo and Mercedes that Abe raped Peri, so they needed her help to make sure he doesn’t get away with his crimes.
Cleo recalled the whole story of Abe keeping her in the flat, his lie about her killing Marie, and her elaborate escape plan.
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Outside Cleo’s hospital room, Leela admitted to Mercedes that Peri’s police interview made her realise that it was Abe who raped her last year.
At Abe’s flat, Joel tried to find the room he locked Cleo in, but he had since made it look like a home gym, with all evidence of Cleo removed.
Later, Leela attempted to tell Joel about her sexual assault at The Dog, but Abe arrived to confirm his innocence, with the support of Marie.
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Joel took a stand and told the whole pub about Abe’s abuse of Cleo. The women of the village, including Sienna, Zoe, Pearl, Martha and Maxine, backed him up and told Abe to leave.
In the bathroom, Leela appealed to Marie, trying to make her see that her son is an abuser. She continued to take Abe’s side, but it looked like she was beginning to have doubts.
Marie returned to Abe’s secret room and looked around for evidence. She was shocked to find the ‘C’ that Cleo had carved into the wall – but she was spotted by Abe. What will he do now?
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 the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
Organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid can also 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.
