Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks’ Lomax-Hay family are preparing to spend Christmas apart this year, but is it too late for the fractured clan to find their way back together?
Still grieving her late daughter Peri, Leela summons the strength to give Clara and birthday boy Daniel a special day. Meanwhile, her brother Ste is spending his day in exile, having been wrongly blamed for the abuse that his son Lucas is inflicting on him.
“Not even Jack and Pearl manage to put a smile on Ste’s face,” explains our insider. “With him holing up in his filthy flat, the Lomaxes have no one to cook their pigs in blankets, so resolve to have takeaway pizza instead. After so much loss, this distance is only causing more pain…”
It’s also a difficult festive season for Rex, who spends the day alone, tearfully reflecting on his very difficult year, including his involvement in the horrific exploitation operation and the death of his mum Grace.

Lime Pictures

Lime Pictures
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With Christmas in tatters, guilty Lucas urges Leela to give Ste another chance. While Leela isn’t full convinced, she listens to her nephew and calls round to see her brother in his flat.
In an emotional scene, Leela asks Ste to spend Christmas with his family – but he turns down the invitation, feeling unable to face cheery celebrations during such a tough time.
However, Ste thankfully has a change of heart and decides to attend the family Christmas after all. He shows up for his loved ones – but with tension still in the air, will things remain harmonious?

Lime Pictures

Lime Pictures
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As the day continues, Leela has a quiet moment to herself where she speaks to Peri, while Lucas looks to make amends by messaging Dillon in the hope that they can meet up.
Ste later discovers that Rex is spending the day alone at The Loft, and the pair go on a private Christmas walk together.
Rex uses the opportunity to urge Ste to come clean about Lucas’ abuse, insisting that he can’t continue taking the blame for his son’s violent actions.
Ste has so far been committed to protecting Lucas at all costs, but will Rex’s plea encourage him to reveal everything and risk blowing apart his family again?
These scenes will air on Tuesday, 30 December.
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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