Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (February 5), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Note: This story contains discussion of sexual assault.
Hollyoaks has finally confirmed the father of Leela Dexter’s baby Clara, in the show’s latest episode.
Viewers discovered that Leela was heavily pregnant after the show jumped forward a year in time, and in November she gave birth to her daughter Clara.
It soon became clear that Leela was hiding a big secret, and the show eventually confirmed the shocking truth that she was sexually assaulted by Joel’s brother Abe around the time of Clara’s conception.
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Leela only recently discovered that Abe was the culprit, and she kept her ordeal hidden from Joel out of fear of his reaction – until he heard Abe confess on Cleo and Peri’s livestream.
Thankfully, Joel was nothing but supportive towards his wife and reassured her that he would always be Clara’s dad, whatever happens.
This week, after Joel crashed into Abe on the road, Marie gave him an envelope addressed to Abe with Clara’s paternity results, as he had secretly done a DNA test.
In today’s episode, the couple decided to open the results, and were delighted to find out the good news that Joel is Clara’s biological father.
Actor Rory Douglas-Speed, who plays Joel, has explained what this huge update means for his character, as Abe’s story has also come to an end.
"This storyline has been in the works for a while due to the time jump," he said. "It’s been pandemonium for the audience as they have been left wondering who Clara’s dad is – and of course they want it to be Joel, especially because of the horrific circumstances.
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"When Joel finds out, it’s a huge relief. When you think of his journey after losing Noah, then being on drugs, it’s really shaped his life, so I think this was just sorely needed for him. These last couple of blocks of episodes tied up nicely with that news."
But as Leela and Joel begin to rebuild their lives, Douglas-Speed teases whether this could be the start of a happier period for the couple.
He said: "We are finally seeing Leela and Joel being a happy family as an ending. But obviously it’s Hollyoaks, so who knows what’s around the corner?"
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.
