Hollyoaks 2023

The actor who plays Ethan previously appeared on the show as a trick that John Paul tried hooking up with.

Lucas' first episode!

Spoiler:

Lucas is gay. The writers have confirmed they are doing a coming out storyline for him.

Why do I get the feeling something might happen between Charlie and Lucas? It's a short clip but even from that short clip I can see that they have amazing chemistry!

The SteDen fans are going a little bit crazy because Emmett J. Scanlan visited the Hollyoaks set. Which just happened to be on the 10 year anniversary of when Brendan Brady left the village and while they were taping scenes for the upcoming Ste and James wedding.

I wonder if Lucas will develop a crush on Charlie?

Bring back PC Kiss! And Laurie. And Brodie... all the hot guys they've killed off. Hire a necromancer if they have to!

Looks like Scott will be getting a new love interest named Juan.

I'm guessing that Ste's son Lucas possible love interest may be Misbah's nephew Dillon.

Sorry—Ste and WHO?

Punched out watching years ago, but last I’d heard Harry had just died, and James was more or less settled that the love of his life was gone and that was it for him. And Ste couldn’t stand James for all the shit he’d put him through in the past, which I liked and appreciated because it gave us a rare instance in soap of two gay men as enemies who hated each other enough not to hook up or fall for each other. So much for that.

R4 it’s vile to me how people ship Stendan like it’s a romantic love story (it’s just a toxic power play), but then turn around and say it’s wrong for anyone to ship Stamy. Why?

The same type of horrible domestic and sexual abuse happened with both. The difference was that Ste at least tried and kept trying sincerely to redeem himself to Amy (whether or not he succeeded ymmv), while Brendan just disappeared and never atoned. But to say one is this grand sweeping love story and the other is not just shows how warped some people are. Either both are abuse or neither is.

It’s also biphobic, the way Ste is handled. He’s not a Kinsey 6 gay man and that is evident from his relationship history onscreen, but fans and writers will not have this and try to retcon it, presumably at the actor’s behest. Sorry, but you can’t rewrite established history and expect people not to notice.

I need to catch up, I checked out when Craig left James

R8 James life went on a downward spiral after the death of Harry(don't think he really got the chance to really grieve Harry) and eventually his mother into a gambling addiction. Ste and James have now since gotten together and are engaged.

The Jarry storyline instantiates a huge bag fumble for Oaks. It was bringing in so many viewers, higher ratings than before or after. They should have begged Parry Glasspool to stay and thrown a massive wage bump at him. It would have more than paid for itself.

R12 There was a rumor that Parry was angry at Bryan Kirkwood for what he was doing to Jarry towards the end among other things.

R10 you mean when Craig left JP? Unless I missed something very major when I stormed off and quit watching haha

Yes, r14, Craig. It was after one of the times The Dog blew up.

Juliet is dying.

R16 Bury Your Lesbians....:(

I used to get off all the time to Parry (Harry)

R18 in fairness he was constantly walking around with his top off lol. HO creative knew what they were doing

Parry

R2 lol funny to see that Nancy's never really changed. Still the same bossy fingerwagging moral crusader she always was.

A bit odd and anachronistic that Charlie calls her 'The Demon Headmistress' in that scene. He's referencing a kids' book & tv series, 'The Demon Headmaster', that was popular long before he was even born. Poor writers sometimes slip up with these kind of references, especially when it's older people writing for a young cast.

Stephanie Davis has joined Coronation Street. I guess that means she won't be back on Hollyoaks.

it's amazing how much the new Lucas really does look like a younger version of Kieron (Ste)

James and Ste have now gotten married.

I was disappointed w/ no strippers at the stag do

I guess it was sorta hilarious JP giving his "approval" to his ex-husband and ex-fiance getting married.

Ste Hay Carter-McQueen-Thompson-Nightingale

They probably thought it would have been "inappropriate" r25 with Juliette ongoing cancer.

I believe Juliette is now dead. I wonder what's in store for the village's newest gay?

I was hoping for more Lucas by now

The show will need a new Executive Producer as Lucy Allan is exiting.

Winter 2023 Trailer ....

Closet case Carter goes forward with his relationship with idiot Maxine.

Looks like there's some movement on the Dillon-Lucas relationship.

And a major twist where "brother-sister" Rafe and Dilly are concerned.

Oh, and Jacqui McQueen is back, at least for one episode.

There is a thread! I thought there wasn't one. I swear I did a search but nothing came up? Anyways, yay for Dillon and Lucas! Their storyline is finally starting after me waiting for like a year!

I'm actually really enjoying Carter and JP. It's better than the horrible slow burn Lucas and Dillon, despite the fact that the conversion storyline is not my favorite.

R31 Did you watch the boxset episodes, what did you think? I have read the new Lucas and Dillon spoilers for January. They're.... interesting.

Spoilers from awhile back indicated that Head Teacher Carter and his gay conversion mission would get involved with Lucas and Dillon. Don't know if that' what you're referring to R34, but I could definitely see Carter trying to indoctrinate struggling Lucas.

I'm just gonna go ahead and post the spoilers for the week starting January 8th:

Dillon accuses Lucas of wanting to kiss him.

Carter confuses Lucas.

R35 Yes, as the new spoilers are hinting at, and Carter will drag Lucas into it. I know the show changed producers lately, but it looks like the conversion storyline is still a go.

The duo listed as the producers right now are said to be temporary placeholders till they figure out who they want to be EP, but (imo) the conversion story was one of the better ones left behind, so not surprised that it's still a go.

Plus, the former EP basically hired David Ames (Carter) to play out this story, as well as aged Lucas with a recast (a very good one, I might add). It's also something of an umbrella story, as it involves three of the core families (McQueens, Hay-Nightingales, and Maaliks).

R38 Yes. I was a bit worried they would scrap Lucas and Dillon, because Oscar Curtis (the actor playing Lucas) was literally brought on for his storyline with Dillon. But that was almost a year ago. Then all of a sudden in the fall they announced the conversion storyline with Carter and that it would involve Lucas. I think the previous producers had originally something else planned for Lucas, maybe just your run of the mill coming out story, but then decided to push it back to instead tie it in with the conversion story.

I'm still wondering how it will play out though. If these are just temprorary producers, what will happen when the new ones come on? Will they scrap the story with Lucas and Dillon? What will happen to the conversion story? Will they keep it as is or make changes to it? Maybe shorten it?

Well with John Paul already knowledgeable about Carter's gay conversion activities, plus the fact that JP is one of Lucas' teachers at the school, I wouldn't doubt that JP will eventually discover what's going on between Carter and Lucas - perhaps from fellow-student Dillon who seems very protective of Lucas. Due to Lucas being a minor, this could be the last straw for JP, and he'll make good on his threat to out Carter.

R40 I think this is exactly how it will play out! As for the January spoilers: I think Dillon will confront Lucas about Lucas trying to kiss him when drunk. Lucas will deny it and yell at him, like he always does. I think Carter will overhear, and take advantage of Lucas being confused and vulnerable.

Welll... I was wrong about Carter overhearing them. It's actually Ste who asks Carter for help because Lucas is acting out again. And the almost kiss happens during football training. So I'm guessing they're just gonna ignore the almost kiss on Christmas Day then.

The new spoilers.

Still miss Harry. 😢

OMG. Parry doing squats in his shorts!

This looks interesting. Wonder what makes Ste so upset? Did someone close to him get injured or worse, die? We know he will spiral. There must be a reason why. The full trailer will be out tomorrow.

R45 In the six-second clip they released of the upcoming trailer, Ste is dressed in a wedding tux - more than likely for Sienna's upcoming wedding. We see her in wedding gown as well. .. Anyway, there appears to be a massive car accident. Firefighters Leela and Joel are on the scene. The only thing you can see of Ste in this snippet is him bending over what looks like a body on the ground. .. I slowed that part way down. I think the arm of the victim looks long and thin, like a woman's. I imagine Ste would go into hysterical mode if it was his BFF Sienna. .. Mercedes, Warren, and Felix appear to be in at least one other vehicle.

The new year trailer is finally out! Looks like the Lucas and Dillon storyline is finally picking up.

Is Hollyoaks on BritBox? Hard to get into for a new viewer?

R48 The show was pulled from Hulu. I think the show is on the verge of getting cancelled, and that's why they pulled it. Posters here have said it will get cancelled in September or December. Should be plenty of story left before that happens though. You can watch it on Dailymotion. All the recent episodes should be there.

R49, thank you so much!

I really hope they don't kill Leah as I really like her. Lucas has been through enough without also losing his sister.

I find Leah totally annoying. .. I've often wished she'd go reside with Grandpa Barnes. .. The actress has this annoying habit of telegraphing her response to others in scenes and generally looks like she's sucking on a lemon. .. I can't see how any guy would be interested in her. .. But I somehow doubt they'd kill her off. .. Playing something as traumatic as that along with the upcoming Lucas-Carter material and the melodrama we already have between Ste & James seems like too much for the Nightingale-Hay household.

[quote] Is Hollyoaks on BritBox? Hard to get into for a new viewer?

During the initial development of Britbox, Channel 4 was one of the original partners. Can't recall why or if it was ever mentioned why they dropped out.

R48 here —I’ve never jumped on the Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, etc train (I’m in the U.S.) because of the limitations that seemed always present themselves on Hulu, etc —like the fact that the episodes are pulled pretty quickly after their original airdates, not being to go back and watch older stories, etc.

R54 You can literally watch all the episodes on Dailymotion.

Is this a trans woman?

John Paul catching up with Lockie!

Just loved these two. My favorite love interest for JP.

Finally watched the new episode. Lol at Lucas being jeaous at Andre and Dillon calling him out on it. We love to see it.

New Lucas and Dillon scenes.

Lmao at once again cutting the best scene from the trailer. It's like they want to lose viewers. No wonder the soap is struggling.

Scenes from a trailer different to the actual episode - has happened twice now.

[quote] ... cutting the best scene from the trailer.

R60 What scene are you talking about?

If Hollyoaks is still outsourcing the creation of promos, trailers and opening credits, then the people who create and/or edit those aren't necessarily the same who edit the show for broadcast. There used to be this really nice guy who had a blog on tumblr where he'd put stuff up. He worked on quite a few such projects as a freelance editor for both regular Hollyoaks and Hollyoaks Later, but he had nothing to do with the daily broadcast of the show itself. He'd gladly interface with people and answer questions. I remember people would continually bug him about why so and so wasn't in the opening credits.

R62 The scene of Lucas and Dillon on the floor smiling at each oher. They cut it so you can't see Dillon smiling at Lucas anymore. I don't buy the excuse from some fans of the show saying "they cut it because it was too long for broadcast". BULLSHIT. The scene was 3 seconds long, max. It was important for establishing the fact that Dillon also has feelings for Lucas. It's not a one way thing, it's actually mutual. They zoomed in on the kids for many seconds before they went back to Dillon and Lucas. Why not cut back on showing the kids in the stands and instead 3 seconds more on Lucas and Dillon?! It's like some homophobic boss said "we can't have two boys smiling at each other on the floor, that's too gay"🙄 It's funny how they ALWAYS cut Dillon and Lucas scenes (it's the third time now), yet NEVER cut the most boring shit, like Rafe, Dilly and Sienna, who nobody cares about. The fact is Dillon and Lucas get so little screen time as is, they need all the seconds they can get. Removing huge chunks of their scenes is insulting and offensive. I'm convinced some homophobic boss asked for it to be removed.

The scene is at 0:48 in the trailer.

Here is the actual scene that aired. It's different.

Well, they didn't cut the scene. The editor of the trailer chose to use a close up from a different camera angle while the edit in the broadcast went for a long shot, which also includes their bodies. But look closely, and you can still see Dillon smiling. .. I'm not trying to defend one edit over the other, but since they ultimately gave viwers two different shots of the same scene, I don't see how that equates to homophobia.

R67 Nope. They cut the part where Dillon smiles. It's not in the episode at all. Several other people have said the same. The scene from the trailer is missing from the episode. Too bad. It would have added some depth to the storyline. It was cute too. Stupid decision. Whoever decides to cut their scenes: please stop.

R68 I can see Dillon smiling in the scene. It's at the 55-56 second mark in the clip above.

R69 Watched it again. You are wrong. The scene from the trailer is not in the episode. In the trailer the kid in the back with the semi-long hair turns his head the exact same time as you see Lucas and Dillon on the ground (they are in the same frame). In the actual episode you can see the same kid turning his head then the camera is on them a few seconds later. They are out of the frame while he turns his head, which is when Dillon smiles at Lucas.

Lol at Lucas googling how to get a girlfriend then escort services.

[quote] The scene from the trailer is not in the episode.

No one said it was. The suggestion was two editors. One for the trailer, one for the episode.

But Dillon is still seen smiling, and this is tiresome.

R72 Nope, he barely smiles in the episode. Maybe we see the end of a smile for a split second before he starts talking, but it's hard to tell because it's so far away. It's not like the close up where they both smile in the trailer. It is very different. Anyway, sick of this discussion now. I'm done with it. Lets just agree to disagree.

Lucas and Dillon from the episode today.

Love Dillon being out and proud, even if it is as "pansexual" (why can't he just say he's bi?)

Thank you to everyone posting these clips. I'm gripped!

R75 "Pansexual" means Dillon could be attracted to any individual regardless of their sex or gender identity. So for example, he could also go for someone like Sally (trans) or Phoenix (non-binary, apparently now transitioning), etc. Some definitions of "pansexual" use the term "gender blind." This isn't necessarily the case with all bisexuals.

This is cute.

New promo pic.

The fangurls might want to cool their jets for awhile - at least until Lucas turns 16 (age of consent)

The writers have continually been reminding us that Lucas is only 15, and that may not be an issue they want to add to this story since Dillon is older.

While it could be a big dose of cheerleading to promote this coming week's hour-long special, Ben Wadey, Commissioning Exec for Channel 4 Drama, sounds extremely enthusiastic and optimistic about Hollyoaks and even uses the phrase "2024 and beyond." .. Let's hope.

He's also applauding the show's streaming stats and how Hollyoaks is leading the Channe 4's digital initiative.

He's also commenting on how excited and proud he is of the type of stories they're telling:

[quote] "I'm excited that we're back to telling stories that other soaps wouldn't dare tell. There are stories we'll be announcing in the coming months where you'll go: 'Oh my God, I can't believe that Hollyoaks are doing that'. I'm really excited that we're in that space and we're taking really brave decisions – and you'll hear more about that as the year goes on."

Interesting that UK soaps seem to be about normal, working class people, while US soaps are mostly rich people. We hate ourselves lmao

R80 I don't think anyone is expecting them to sleep together anytime soon, it's way too early for that anyway. I wouldn't rule out a kiss though. 15 year olds are allowed to kiss. The actor playing Lucas is 18, so it would be possible.

The show has now announced they're bringing back Charlie Clapham as "Freddie Roscoe."

I didn't hate Freddie, but he was kind of a dunce. I can think of other male chararcters I'd prefer to see. I do remember he seemed to have A LOT of female fans, especially when he was involved with Sinaed O'Connor played by Stephanie Davis. (Since leaving, the actor has plastered his body with fugly tattoos.)

New interview from that MetroUK rag (where the ads are relentless).

Carter is trying to convert Lucas.

I used to laugh at the poster on DL who always wanted to slap Ste.

But he really is the village idiot.

Will James have to be the one who figures out that Lucas might be gay? .. And you'd think smartass Leah would have some measure of gaydar where her younger brother is concerned. She made that comment about trying to set him up with countless girls with nothing happening, yet didn't go there.

With Grandpa Danny being bisexual and Ste being gay, you'd think someone would have a light bulb moment.

R87 James definitely knows, or at least suspects. He said there is nothing wrong with being inexperienced after Leah made a joke about his luck with girls. You could say Leah and Ste should at the very least suspect he is gay. I have no idea why they assume he's straight, but it seems like they are convinced he is. Ste even made a joke that he should be glad he's not gay.

[quote] Ste even made a joke that he should be glad he's not gay.

I guess I have a different take on that line reading, because that didn't seem like a joke to me, especially since at that moment, the audience was privy to tears welling in Lucas' eyes.

R89 I thought he was trying to light the mood with that comment. But it obviously backfired by the look on Lucas' face when he said that.

No Lucas or Dillon this week according to the cast list. Don't quote me on this as it might not be accurate, but I've seen the cast list and no Dillon or Lucas, if the cast list is correct. James and Ste will be in the episodes though, as will John Paul and Carter. So we'll probably get some gay scenes, just not with Lucas and Dillon.

If Carter's going to continue seeing/deceiving Maxine, then John Paul should seek out Gareth and fuck him. That might make Carter's head explode. We know Gareth has "slipped up" previously, and he even seemed attracted to JP in one of those early scenes.

btw - Like David Ames (Carter), Peter McPherson (Gareth) is also gay, IRL.

Hollyoaks was trending #3 in the UK yesterday on Twitter. Maybe there is hope for the soap after all...

With this new predicament, it might be time to rest the Ste character for awhile.

I could see Ste pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and receiving a reduced sentence due to what caused his reckless driving and admission of guilt. .. He's given four years, with the hope of being out after serving two. .. Stepfather James promises to take care of Leah and Lucas while he's gone.

Ste's final scene would be his intake at the penitentiary after which the guards lead "Hay" down a long corridor to a cell, where we see another prisoner sitting in the shadows. .. When Hay's new cellmate turns around, he says, "Hello, Ste." .. It's Brendan.

The Stendan stans can fill in the rest with their slash fiction, and Ste can return in two years ... or not.

Leah is in hospital yet her brother Lucas is nowhere to be seen. Gotta love Hollyoaks.

Looks to be an interesting use of history in the trailer that followed the crash with Hannah presumably walking in on John Paul and Carter kissing.

About 18 years ago, Hannah was John Paul's "girlfriend" when she walked in on John Paul and Craig kissing for the first time.

Yes, she was so funny in the trailer when she saw John Paul (her ex boyfriend) and Carter kiss and said "talk about history repeating itself". Too funny.

I'm really enjoying Hollyoaks these days. The stunt was amazing, as was the aftermath. I know Hollyoaks has gotten a lot of praise, maybe this new era is enough to save the show. I hope so anyway. Dillon and Lucas are nowhere to be seen, but I enjoy the show even without them, which is a good thing, because Dillon and Lucas are not in the spoilers for the next two weeks. They will be back in February sometime.

My jaw dropped when Joel got hit at the crash site. Sometimes soaps can still shock.

I'm glad Myra reminded guilt-ridden Mercedes that Warren killed Bart, and that murder was no accident in any way, shape, or form. The nlackmailing Ella would have gotten the booze one way or another.

I thought they should have had Cleo remind Warren about Bart as well (when she stopped him from pommeling Felix), since Cleo was right in the middle of that whole drug addict story with Bart and Joel, with Warren mistakenly thinking Bart had provided the heroin that killed his sister, Katy (thereby murdering Bart with his bare hands) (when it turned out that his own son, Joel, who was the actual supplier.

On another note, I'm quickly reminded how much Cleo and her hair bun bug me.

Looking forward to seeing Rita Simons begin as Joel's mother, Marie.

As said above, I'm pretty much enjoying the whole show right now. I am wondering who might get cut, since they seem to be adding quite a few characters.

John Paul and Carter kiss in the new episode.

Hannah was okay with keeping things quiet, but I'm guessing now that she's overheard nasty Carter and Gareth talking she'll think otherwise. .. Since we know she needs money, maybe she'll try to blackmail Carter.

Kind of dumb for them to write that Tom goes to Peri looking for a place to live - IOW, far too obvious that it would lead to them hooking up. .. After all, Tom owns the house where all the twentysomethings live, and the place has just had five vacancies (Lacey, Prince, Rayne, Nadira, and now Romeo). .. There should be spare bedrooms galore.

And if Carter is dumpling John Paul (AGAIN), shouldn't JP at least follow-through on telling Maxine about his affair with Carter? .. At t his point, Carter wouldn't be able to fire JP, without risking his his own job now. Carter's had sex with a subordinate, and JP could not only blow his cover at the school, but sue for harassment, if Carter retaliated.

Romeo. ... I know it's a TV show, but he's been in prison for awhile now, yet his fade haircut and three-day scruff remain perfect. .. He should have a hot cellmate who thinks his lips are purty.

Horrible spoilers. Nothing I want to see. Such a cliche with Dillon getting a girlfriend. I know he's pansexual, but still. I was hoping he'd get a boyfriend. It's a lost opportunity. On the other hand Lucas made his choice. He kept pushing Dillon away, and now that Dillon has a girlfriend, now he feels uncomfortable and now he wants him? A bit too late mate.

[quote] 'It’s just the trying to get there – Lucas is going to go through a lot of lows and dark points but when he gets outside of that tunnel, Dillon is going to be at the end.’

R104 How when Dillon has a girlfriend? It makes no sense.

R104 According to the spoilers Dillon is gonna fuck Freya while Lucas watches. Sounds like true love alright.

[quote] Sounds like true love alright.

Have you watched Hollyoaks before?

"One and only forever" isn't typically in their lexicon for young couples until someone's gonna die.

[quote] Leah...

sho is ugly.

Nothing says slut like superfecundation.

This show sure likes twins. Mercedes' pair will make FIVE sets currently on the show.

Hunter & Prince

JJ & Frankie

Sophie & Sebastian

Ant & Rose

Romeo actually is exiting.

James might want to give him a tube of lube for prison.

Fun times

I posted them before I finished watching them. LOL the melodramatic cliffhanger. The acting leaves a lot to be desired, but Lucas is adorable and I hope he comes out of all this well.

For regular watchers: Is the creepy principal currently fucking the hot asst. principal?

R113 Closet-case Carter (the head teacher) was fucking openly-gay John Paul (a deputy head teacher), but Carter ended things with John Paul (again), after Gareth, one of Carter's church disciples who's also a member of his gay conversion group, saw the two of them kissing and blackmailed Carter.

Thanks R114!

Carter is despicable.

James is an unattractive stereotype.

Leah is butt-ugly. (and that's not intended as an insult to nice men's butts)

When will Dillon and Lucas finally kiss?!

Lucas gets a new friend in smart-ass Frankie. Hopefully, she's not dumb enough to want to be his girlfriend, or at least smart enough to figure it out.

Nancy's on the case and gets suspicious of Carter's "counseling," especially after she finds his whiteboards in a locked cabinet.

It's interesting how they hired three gay actors to play the men in the conversion therapy group: David Ames (Carter), Peter McPherson (Gareth), and now Alan Turkington as "Declan Hawthorne," who might be even more toxic that Carter.

Bad timing Scott! ... But he's not dense, so I imagine the bit he witnessed between Lucas and Dillon, as well as Lucas' upcoming conversation with Scott will result in Scott cluing John Paul in as to what's going on with the lad.

I can't watch this anymore. I'm done. It's boring and the writing is horrible. It's just repeptitive now... Lucas and Dillon almost kissing, Carter ruining the moment. Rinse, repeat. And it's homophobic that they haven't even kissed yet. It's been months ffs! The lesbians kissed early on, then the angst happened. Meanwhile the teenage gays on Hollyoaks had the angst first, then will probably a kiss after forever. It's dumb, it's a horrible strategy, borderline homophobic and will cause people to switch it off. And when they finally do kiss it will have been so long that people don't care anymore. BTW, Dillon has had sex with a girl (of course) and now Lucas will get with Frankie (of coursex2). Both having a girlfriend in a gay storyline is a disgrace. This is just horrible garbage as this point. Truly unwatchable. They're basically doing everything wrong. I lost interest a month ago.

I'm sure this is probably out of order, but the latest near kiss is in this

And the awful conversion therapy scenes...

The 2/28 from this poster seems to have been taken down already, so there's probably missing content

The gay conversion story has been well-crafted and acted, imo. All of the gays in the village are now connected to it somehow, even Scott. With the most recent foot-dragging on banning conversion therapy in the UK, the show has chosen a great time to highlight this important subject.

The narrative has become unwatchably disgusting, and I see only the YouTube clips.

Worse than cringe.

Gay conversion ain't pretty. I applaud the show for going there and showing how sick it is.

The production model will be changing in September to three episodes per week, but the show is getting a multi-year pick-up.

R123 HOW?!?! How has it been written well?! The gays aren't even allowed to kiss ffs. The whole show reeks of homophobia.

R134 So you applaud yet another show where gay guys aren't even allowed to kiss, got it.

Pretty sure R126 meant to tag either R122 or R124, who made acting comments; and R127 meant to tag R124 and not R134, because there are currently fewer than 129 replies in this thread.

Geez .. Hollyoaks remains one of the most gay-supportive serial dramas on the planet. Calling the show "homophobic" is eye-rolling.

And just because the anxious 15-year old schoolboy hasn't kissed the self-confident older boy doesn't mean the show is homophobic. It could simply mean they're doing "the slow-burn," so often part of soap opera stroylines. Plus, in this particular case, the evil gay conversion manipulators probably wouldn't have stood a chance of roping confused Lucas into their vile efforts to turn him straight, if he'd already tasted Dillon's lips.

Nice touch showing poor Lucas sadly staring into the mirror at the end of the "therapy session" with a segue to John Paul and the McQueens joyfully dancing to "Born this Way."

Spring Trailer .. five quick takeaways ..

Grace returns ... albeit from prison and is working with Freddie.

Kitty and Freddie .. didn't see that one coming.

Hannah is back .. apparently working as a prostitute with Robbie (who's gotten fat) acting as her pimp?

Carter kidnaps Lucas.

Things appear to reach a head during the Pride event.

Frustrated and horny, Lucas lies about his age again, but this time, he goes online looking for a meaningless hook up with a guy, and they head off to The Loft.

If I had to guess, this is probably what leads to Carter kidnapping Lucas.

This whole Lucas/Cater narrative is outrageous.

They've turned the comments off on the latest YouTube clips.

^^^Carter (despicable creature)

[quote] They've turned the comments off on the latest YouTube clips.

Who's "they"? .. Just some user who puts clips up on youtube?

Hollyoaks itself hasn't turned anything off.

Yes, Carter is meant to be a despicable creature .. i.e. a villain. .. He's also treating Ro the same way.

Apparently recent changes and the more youth-oriented stories have brought in viewers.

Here's some catharsis, Lucas coming out to his father. The YT channel has most of Lucas's storyline.

Great to have Jeremy back in a new role.

Lucas and Dillon are so cute.

Lizzie gets the body bag.

Mason exits in the black cab.

Abe packs a bag and walks out, maybe not for good?

Hunter is the surprise, though.

Sweet and romantic like a first kiss should be.

The kiss…

The Carter storyline is getting pretty dark

From Jamie Lomas' IG .... People are wondering what Jonny Labey is doing among the cast. .. Labey used to play gay "Paul Coker" (RIP) on EastEnders. .. I know he's also a dancer, so perhaps he'll part of some story with "Frankie." .. And gosh, isn't Isabelle Smith as" Frankie" just heartbreaking? .. Both she and Oscar Curtis (Lucas) have been such great young actor finds.

Nice that the kissing scene continues into today's episode with more. Lucas says, "I can't stop kissing you."

I figured Gareth wasn't a killer. .. I actually wouldn't mind if he stuck around, was rehabilitated, and eventually got with John Paul. .. Recall, in one of Gareth's initial scenes with Carter, we heard he'd "slipped up," and later, when Gareth met John Paul at the group meeting, he seemed attracted to JP.

Idiot Leah and her bullying Freya. .. Believable for this character, but she more than anyone should know how it feels to have a father who acts badly.

The gay kiss is too little too late for me. It should have happened months ago. I just don't care anymore.

Lime Pictures has announced that Hollyoaks will no longer be geo-blocking on its youtube channel and will be available internationally.

They're also reporting a 40% increase in year-over-year viewing.

R142 Labey's character is named "Rex" and he's some kind of associate of Warren's who then gets involved with what Ste is doing with Warren. The articles on this are asking, "How will Ste get along with Rex?" so one wonders if there will be more than business?

Labey's done a lengthy interview about his new character, "Rex." In it, they ask him about his relationship with Ste, and he says:

[quote] "It's such a turbulent one. Ste's character is someone who is really intrigued by Rex. They have some flirty scenes as well – and then there's a twist in that relationship. Again, you never really know what Rex's intentions are and what he's after.

[quote] "I know that the relationship with Ste has a future. It starts off like these guys are going to kill each other, but then the layers start peeling. So that's really exciting and working with Kieron has been great."

I'm wondering if they might be planning to have Rex be bisexual? Reading the entire article, the character kind of reminds me of "Liam Donovan" after they recast him with Jude Monk McGowan

Afte DIllon and Lucas make love for the first time Misbah is of a mind to play cockblocker.

Lucas letting his man know that he has needs

John Paul telling Lucas to, "Go on, go talk to your boy."

Nice scene.

Misbah should've just emailed her concerns and minded her business.

Jeremy is still hot. I would.

Granny Martha is a hoot.

Poor Scott. .. I know he's leaving soon. .. I'd like it if his 2023 Eurovision Party fling returned and spirited him off to Spain. They were a good match, and recall, Juan Pèrez said there was an open invitation for Scott to join him there.

Ooooh secret renedezvous .. John Paul appears to be HayRay's biggest fan. Maybe JP can let the boys use the McQueen's basement den for hookups... lol .. And prom is coming soon. That usually proves eventful for the Couplé du Jour on Hollyoaks.

Dillon's not having it, and knows exactly why Misbah is demanding that he accompany her and Zain to Edinburgh: she doesn't want to be alone with her husband and needs Dillon around to mask the truth that her marriage is over. .. And funny how the party noise interrupted and stopped her from sending her resignation email. What she's been so against has prevented her from making a huge mistake.

And speaking of huge ... I think Robbie Roscoe has porked out even more during the short time he's been back. i was shocked at how fat his face and neck are.

After the scene where Misbah accepted Lucas, it was a nice touch letting the boys have the closing epilogue of the episode.

Holey Moley.

Ste and Rex.

Summer Trailer

Sexy Parry video on instagram.

If they ever kill James off, I want them to feature Harry telling James to take his hand -- the opposite of what they did when Tony thought he was dying, and they had Harry appear telling his dad that it wasn't his time yet.

Another gay twist ....

In Scott's goodbye video chat with Maxine, he revealed that he had sex with Jeremy Blake before leaving town.

Lucky Scott.

Interesting article on how the time jump and change in the show's production model will work. Only six weeks to go for the stunt that leads into the time jump.

There goes Leah.

I have no issue with this move.

After agreeing to sign divorce papers, Ste shows up to make another last ditch declaration of love to save his marriage, but finds James and Jez getting it on.

I'm guessing Finnegan (James) won't be making the time jump. James appears to be ill (shaking uncontrollably) and is on pain killers. Another spoiler says Maxine reads a new will that he's drawn up, wherein he's leaving everything to Ste and the kids. So death seems possible.

RIP Nana