Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Monday’s episode (March 17), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Hollyoaks has aired a major health update for Mercedes McQueen, in the show’s latest episode.
During the missing year, Mercedes was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and her condition has deteriorated in recent months.
Meanwhile, last month Jez killed Cleo’s abuser Abe, but Grace saw an opportunity to get her love rival out of the way. She shot Abe, who was already dead, then planted the gun on Mercedes to frame her.
Related: Best streaming services
Mercedes was shocked, but when she realised that the police suspected Cleo, she decided to take the blame for Abe's death – figuring that she didn’t have long to live.
What to Read Next
However, in today’s episode, Peri saw Mercedes’ latest blood results and she confidentially shared the good news with Cleo.
Cleo couldn’t keep this to herself, and told Mercedes that her tumour markers are down, which means that the chemotherapy is working.
Related: Hollyoaks star explains Sienna and Cleo's "intense" connection in romance plot
Mercedes found this difficult to believe, and broke down in tears when Cleo made it clear that she will survive her illness and will see her children grow up.
In the wake of this big news, Mercedes asked Maxine to visit her in prison when she had finished her latest round of treatment.
She revealed her big health update and told Maxine that she needed her help to dig some dirt on Grace, as a legal professional.
Related: Hollyoaks to reveal Rex Gallagher's violent childhood secret
"Now I’ve bought myself a few extra years," she said, "I don’t want to spend them in this dump."
Mercedes finally confirmed that she wasn’t responsible for Abe’s death and had been set up by Grace. As she reached out to Maxine for a helping hand, it looks like she wants revenge on her bestie turned archenemy.
What does Mercedes plan to do next, and will Grace face consequences for her actions?
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
Hollyoaks has worked with Bowel Cancer UK on Mercedes' story. Further information is also available via the NHS website, Macmillan Cancer Support or Cancer Research UK.
