Hollyoaks spoilers follow from Wednesday's episode (9 July), which is available to watch now on Channel 4 Streaming but hasn't yet aired on E4.
Hollyoaks favourite Tom Cunningham has been spared from death – thanks to the watchful eye of a mysterious 'top dog' in prison.
Rex Gallagher's dark mission to commit murder is thwarted in Wednesday's episode, with the big reveal that someone is protecting Tom at the jail.
Cruel Clare Devine had put Rex under strict instruction to deal with Tom, after learning that he was trying to team up with Donny Clark to bring her down.
Clare warned Rex that she'd sell vulnerable teens Bobby Costello and Jacob Omari to dangerous buyers if he didn't cooperate, so he reluctantly agreed to her demands.
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In today's episode, Rex spots Tom looking alone and friendless in the prison yard, so prepares to make his murderous move.
Rex is gobsmacked when he's immediately surrounded by a group of prison hard men, who step in to make sure that he can't harm Tom.
All becomes clear as Tom boasts: "Mates of mine. Funnily enough, I'm actually on good terms with 'top dog' in here. Who do you think got the screws to move you onto our wing?"
With a fatal attack off the cards, the two inmates chat further and Rex explains how his hand was forced by Clare. Tom is intrigued to learn that Rex doesn't approve of Clare's criminal actions, which could make him a useful ally.
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Rex still has plenty of questions, wanting to know why the mysterious 'top dog' schemed to have them in the same wing and what the endgame is.
Tom is unable to give anything away, though, simply saying that the man in question is sure to make his presence known when the time is right…
Meanwhile, Rex also learns why a strait-laced character like Tom is in prison in the first place. It turns out that he inadvertently got caught up in an investment scam after fleeing to Spain, and became the fall guy when it all turned sour.
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Tom chose to keep the villagers in the dark over being back in the country, although his half-sister Cindy is fully in the picture over what's going on.
There are sure to be interesting times ahead with Rex and Tom now locked up together, and a fearsome figure waiting in the shadows to pull all the strings…
Hollyoaks fans can see these scenes now on Channel 4 Streaming, or tonight at 7pm on E4.
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
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