Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks fans will see Joel and Leela Dexter's relationship in turmoil next week, thanks to the meddling antics of Joel's stalker Tommy Odenkirk.
The fraudulent therapist turns the screws on the object of his obsession, causing problems in Joel and Leela's marriage. How far will Tommy go to control Joel's life?
"If you thought Tommy couldn't get any creepier, just you wait," begins our Hollyoaks insider. "He may look harmless but don't be fooled, Tommy is seriously disturbed and highly dangerous – as Joel is about to find out…"
Tommy has developed an unhealthy emotional attachment to Joel since their first encounter a year ago, when intoxicated Joel punched Tommy's bullying brother, Billy, and put him in a coma. Tommy now sees Joel as his saviour, but baffled Joel has no memory of the incident.
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He's befriended infatuated Tommy to keep him on side – trouble is, Leela wants Tommy out of their lives after he made a move on her, leaving Joel in a tricky position.
When he forgets he's agreed to attend a gaming convention with Tommy in favour of spending quality time with his wife instead, Joel angers his stalker.
Fuming Tommy shows up in the village in full wizard cosplay, ready for a mate date with his supposed BFF, only to realise he's been blown off.
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Leela and Ste Hay are bemused by Tommy's presence – and outfit – and left feeling unsettled as he stands spookily still, shooting death stares up to their flat.
Tommy continues to hang around, leading Leela to lose her rag. Confronting him, Leela warns Tommy to stay away – but has she just made the situation worse?
"Leela is fed up by this point," explains our source. "Tommy makes her skin crawl and she just wants him to do one. She tells Joel she's given Tommy an ear bashing, but instead of thanking her Joel is furious – but he can't reveal why!"
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To teach Joel a lesson for letting him down, Tommy puts the next phase of his plan into action and gleefully observes the carnage he's created.
Under pressure from Tommy's interference, Leela and Joel's relationship starts to fall apart. Tommy then gets a phone call with worrying news that changes everything…
What twist has befallen Tommy now? And will Joel be forced to come clean to Leela about his and Tommy’s shady past?
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.
