Hollyoaks spoilers follow from Wednesday’s episode (September 25), which is available to watch now on Channel 4 Streaming ahead of its TV broadcast on E4 this evening.
This story discusses topics including sibling sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks teen Frankie Osborne has confided in her close friend Lucas Hay as she considers dropping the charges against her abusive brother JJ.
Frankie spoke to Lucas during a video call in the closing moments of Wednesday’s episode, as she struggled to process the shocking news about JJ’s health.
JJ was due to give a plea in court this week over the charges he’s facing for sexually abusing his twin sister Frankie. The hearing didn’t go ahead as planned, as JJ collapsed in court and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
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JJ indicated that he’d been planning to plead guilty following advice from his grandfather Jack, but his family have no way of knowing whether he’s telling the truth or not.
In Wednesday’s episode, Frankie struggled with how much things were changing following JJ’s diagnosis. As Darren made plans to visit JJ in hospital, and asked her whether she’d like to go too, Frankie feared that her father’s loyalties were already shifting. She rightly pointed out that JJ’s diagnosis doesn’t change the crimes he’d committed.
Father and daughter later appeared to reach an understanding as Darren promised Frankie that she’d always be his priority.
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However, when Frankie later got in touch with Lucas over a video call, it was clear how much recent events had affected her.
Lucas is currently locked away in Young Offenders after attacking JJ, in events that took place off camera during the one-year time jump.
Frankie told Lucas: “He collapsed and they just took him to hospital. What if he dies? What he did to me is going to be the only thing that everyone remembers.”
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Lucas pointed out that wasn’t Frankie’s issue to worry about, but she replied: “Lucas, I can’t. I can’t do it, not now. I’m going to have to drop the charges.”
Can Lucas convince Frankie to change her mind?
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 been working on Frankie’s story with guidance from SARSAS, which provides specialist services and resources for those who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
More information is available from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their 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.