Hollyoaks confirms two major returns as killer stages unexpected comeback

Metro

16-06-2025

Old wounds are reopened and conflict is rife for the McQueens as Hollyoaks welcomes back two members of the beloved clan next week.
The comebacks come in the wake of Prince (Malique Thompson-Dwyer) throwing Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) – who was recently told her chemo is working – a 'screw you cancer' party.
The event is intended to be a surprise but our Mercy walks in amid preparations and – upon learning that the party was a brainwave of Freddie Roscoe's (Charlie Clapham) – she urges her loved ones to carry on organising.
But the attention soon shifts for the former pub landlady as she receives a text message – which leaves her acting very suspiciously.
Later in the week, the party gets underway at Casa, with Myra (Nicole Barber-Lane) delivering a heartfelt speech. But things soon come to a pause.
Why? I'm not tell you everything but what I can reveal is Mercedes and Myra are informed by Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) – who is on active police duty – that Bobby (Zak Sutcliffe) has escaped the secure home and is suspected to have done so in a social worker's car!
He's resourceful is that one.
Bobby McQueen (formerly Costello) is the biological son of Mercedes and Riley Costello. He spent much of his childhood with his mum and her husband Sylver, who he thought of as a dad, living at The Dog in The Pond, which Mercedes formerly ran.
He was a kind, thoughtful and gentle soul. However, in 2022, the character started on a dark path, leaving Sylver to die in the fire at the Salon De Thé.
It subsequently came to light that Bobby been in communication with his granddad and notorious serial killer Silas Blissett, who largely warped his mind.
After murdering Silas – by pushing him onto an electrified chessboard – Bobby started to kill in cold blood, claiming the life of much-loved solicitor and all-round icon Verity Hutchinson (hence why Tony isn't happy to learn of his release in upcoming scenes), crushing her with a bookcase.
He also attempted to murder Felix Westwood at Christmas 2022, almost killing DeMarcus instead in a case of mistaken identity. This incident led to his arrest.
In January 2023, Bobby stood trial for his crimes, receiving nine years for the attempted murder of DeMarcus, plus 12 for the murder of Silas.
But with an escape on the cards for the character, now played by Waterloo Road star Zak Sutcliffe, just what will the future hold for the troubled teen?
A voicemail from Mercedes confirms a plan to meet with Bobby and later the mother and son duo reunite at their former home – The Dog. In emotional scenes, Bobby breaks down, apologising for everything that he's done.
Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), meanwhile, learns of Bobby's escape and he's left upset – and he's not the only one, with Goldie McQueen (Chelsee Healey) staging a comeback, determined to make Bobby face the music for what he did her to her big bro Sylver (David Tag). Do you think Bobby will have changed? Yes - enough time has passed and he'll be a changed man
No - if Hollyoaks has taught us anything its that once a killer always a killer
Worried about the impact his sudden escape will have on his sentence, Mercedes encourages Bobby to hand himself in.
And with the construction work set to commence at The Dog where Bobby is hiding out and Donny watching Mercy like a hawk – not to mention our Goldie on a mission! – the big question is: just how long will the teen be able to avoid the long arm of the law?
Jez is on edge as Dodger plans to meet with Tori's former social worker, who is spooked himself, confiding in Dodge that, prior to his death, Dennis was being harassed by a member of the Blake clan.
Will our hero Mark be the one to take down serial killer, who last week confessed to the killing of Dennis?
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Dodger might not have the chance as the tide is turning where Martha is concerned, with the matriarch simply having enough of keeping Jez's secrets. Amid being blackmailed, Jez is left shattered as his mum brands him a narcissist, telling him that his actions make him hard to love.
Over at the allotment, the killer keeps a hostage.
Elsewhere, Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) and Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) battle it out to win Tony's affection.
Hollyoaks has really upped the ante over the past few months in delivering the hard-hitting drama we all know and love with deliciously camp moments peppered throughout.
If the spoilers for next week are any indication to go by, things are not slowing down as we inch closer to the highly-anticipated 30th anniversary in October 30th. More Trending
I had been holding out hope that we'd see Bobby return someday and, given a significant portion of time has passed since he was last on-screen – not to mention the time jump providing an extra year of story potential – now feels like the perfect moment to bring him back.
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His comeback is sure to set the cat among the pigeons and his dynamic with Mercedes was always a good one, with star Jennifer Metcalfe having done some of her best work in recent years when her alter-ego was fretting about her murderous son.
With powerhouse Waterloo Road star Zak Suitcliffe now in the role – not to mention the imminent return of Goldie, the stage is set for what promises to be a very fiery story – and it's exactly the kind of narrative the McQueens thrive in.
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Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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