Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks’ Joel Dexter is unexpectedly returning to the show next week, albeit from a prison cell.
Back in May, Joel went to prison after handing himself in to the police for killing his stalker Tommy Odenkirk in a violent rage.
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But since then, viewers have discovered that it was in fact serial killer Jez Blake who murdered Tommy, and he just made Joel think he was responsible.
Joel hasn’t been seen on screen since he went to prison, and in June it was reported that actor Rory Douglas-Speed wouldn’t be returning to the show.
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However, Joel is now back for a brief stint, and he’s set to be either a lifeline or a danger for fellow inmate Tony Hutchinson.
Several village favourites are currently behind bars, including Tom Cunningham – who next week gets a visit from the mother of his child and his first love, Peri Lomax.
Things are a bit frosty and awkward between the pair at first, but sparks soon start to fly, and it’s clear that they still have a connection.
Tom is thrilled and later tells Tony about the success of his visit from Peri. But he spots that Tony is really struggling, so has an idea to cheer him up – and gets him a job working in the kitchen!
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Later, Tony brings Tom a piece of cake, a delicious way to thank him for getting him this opportunity and giving him a new lease of life.
But Tom then breaks the news that he has officially been granted early release, so he will be saying goodbye to prison life – and to Tony.
As Tom gets picked up by Darren Osborne the next day, he rushes to reunite with Peri and is overjoyed when he sees her in The Dog.
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Meanwhile, Tony is left to fend for himself inside, and things get even worse when he finds out that he’s been demoted to kitchen porter!
It seems that Tony’s fellow prisoners begin to turn on him, which is why he’s relieved to see a familiar face in Joel. But with a clip from the soap’s new trailer showing Joel turning violent towards Tony, it seems that he’s not as protected as he might think…
Later, Diane Hutchinson visits Tony, and he considers whether he should change his plea. Diane makes it clear that Bobby Costello’s death was an accident and their family needs him at home. What will Tony decide to do?
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.
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