Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (18 February), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Hollyoaks’ John Paul McQueen has made a huge decision about his future, after a tense situation left him considering the choices he has made in his life. After a series of dream scenarios featuring former cast members gave him food for thought, he came to an emotional conclusion…
John Paul, Prince, Theresa and Nancy found themselves on lockdown in the McQueen house, while Vicky was kidnapped – with Dodger and Donny ordered by imprisoned Sully to carry out his orders if their loved ones were to remain unharmed.
Scared about this dangerous situation, John Paul tried to call his son Matthew, who was recently accepted into a school in Switzerland for gifted children.
John Paul reflected on his lack of relationship with Matthew and explained to Prince that he has never been a good dad and has failed his son.
Lime Pictures
Related: Best streaming services
He wondered how his life would have turned out if he never came out to his family and imagined a scenario that brought back a number of McQueens including Michaela, Carmel, Sylver and Tina.
John Paul was instead married to Nancy (who remarked that Darren had married Sienna!) but he was having a secret affair with Sylver – and the pair were caught out by furious Mercedes.
Realising that he could never have kept his sexuality hidden, he then considered what would have happened if he had never had Matthew Jesus.
Lime Pictures
Related: Hollyoaks’ Cleo and Sienna to face more baby heartbreak – here’s who saves the day
But in this dream, John Paul was still consumed by alcoholism, and while others in his family – such as deceased characters Hunter and Bobby – were thriving, he was spiralling and was facing a stretch in prison for robbery.
John Paul realised that he’d never change having Matthew and becoming a dad made him overcome his issues. With his teaching career in tatters, Nancy asked him if there was something he dreamed of doing before becoming a teacher.
Having dreamed of being a successful writer, John Paul imagined that very scenario in a touching scene involving Sally, where he was working on a screenplay and had a better relationship with his son.
Lime Pictures
Related: Hollyoaks’ Rex Gallagher faces major turmoil as emotional secret is exposed
By the time the siege came to an end, John Paul realised that he needed to take what could be his last chance to build a relationship with Matthew.
He phoned his son and suggested that he comes to live with him in Switzerland. Matthew was thrilled, and John Paul was emotional as he looked forward to a new life away from the village.
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
For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode delves into next week’s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale – featuring an unexpected pregnancy, dark new alliances, and secretive newcomers causing chaos on the cobbles.