Warning: This article contains discussion of attempted suicide, which some readers may find upsetting.
Hollyoaks legend Tony Hutchinson will step up to support Scott Drinkwell after he tries to take his own life in tragic scenes.
Show bosses have announced that they're working with Mind and the Samaritans on an emotional storyline which sees Scott make a suicide attempt after a tough few months.
Tony and his teenage son Harry Thompson will be the first to stumble across what's happened when they discover Scott in a bad way at home in Friday's E4 first look episode (June 9).
Scott is immediately rushed to hospital when Tony and Harry call for help, but nobody realises the reality of the situation until Mercedes McQueen finds Scott's video diary.
The heartbreaking footage is a long monologue from Scott as he explains just how low he's been feeling, but will his family be able to rally round and make him see just how much he has to live for?
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Nick Pickard, who plays Tony, revealed: "I think the whole family's initial feeling is shock. Leading up to it, I think they all then eventually realised they were being quite harsh to him, but they didn't know they were.
"Tony's had this sort of relationship with Scott where he's sort of dismissive of him and you've also got to remember Scott has poisoned Tony's wife, he's in his flat and is constantly being a bit of a pain. But not at any point did Tony realise what was happening.
"There's a scene we did where Tony goes along to see Scott and Diane is in denial, so when Tony sees the video, he just marches in and confronts Scott.
"But Scott is also in denial too, so Tony just has to tell him straight that he needs help. Tony kind of does the right thing really, because Scott does need help."
He added: "I don't think anyone was aware of how Scott was feeling, which is why it is a shock for everyone. They were all so preoccupied with what was going on with other people, so when Scott does attempt suicide it's a shock for everyone and I think it's also going to be a massive shock for the audience."
Scott's storyline will form part of a wider mental health campaign planned by Hollyoaks over the coming weeks, which will be promoted with the social media hashtag #DontFilterFeelings.
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this storyline are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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