Fears mount for Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan) in Hollyoaks next week as he goes missing after confessing to a crime, prompting a police presence in the village. The show favourite turned himself in to the authorities earlier this week, admitting responsibility for the catastrophic collision last month that left newcomer Caleb (Lewis Walton) with devastating injuries.
Charlie, as viewers will recall, was driving sister Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) to the train station ahead of her fresh start in London when he realised that she had forgotten her dance shoes. Frankie urged him to turn around and overtake the removal van in front of him, which belonged to Beth and Jonah Keane (Rebecca Ryan and Matthew Wolfenden), who were travelling to Hollyoaks with son Caleb. Charlie was apprehensive but, not wanting Frankie to miss her train, he ultimately attempted to overtake the vehicle, which led to tragedy. His own car sped into the forest nearby while the Keanes' van collided with roadside machinery, sending Caleb through the windshield.
In the aftermath of the crash, Frankie urged Charlie to lie about who was to blame, pinning the crime on Jonah, who was subsequently quizzed by the police. To complicate the situation further, it turned out that Beth was none other than Jack (Jimmy McKenna) estranged daughter, meaning that she and Charlie are family. The conflict left Charlie devastated and, unwilling to lie any longer, he decided to come clean this week, heading to the station where he revealed that he was to blame for the crash.
Determined to accept responsibility for the incident, Charlie resolves to plead guilty. Nancy (Jessica Fox) and Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) are by his side on the day of his court case. However, with Charlie missing, Frankie searches the village until she bumps into Caleb. It is the first time they have properly spoken since he found out that Frankie was an Osborne. The animosity has settled and the pair begin to chat. Caleb reveals that he enjoys spending time with Frankie, and Frankie is taken aback as he admits that he wants to move things forward. The question is: will she feel the same? Or will there be more heartbreak on the cards for the pair?
Meanwhile, Mercedes steps in to help at The Dog as Tony struggles following Diane's death. The day proves eventful with Mercedes swamped following a Rugby team booking, so Warren makes an offer. He wants to step in and help her out. It is not long before the former couple find their rhythm and understand the assignment. Is a rekindling of romance on the cards for the iconic duo?
The Keanes, meanwhile, are delighted when they find out that Caleb can come home. Charlie visits Caleb and apologises for what transpired, but Caleb reiterates that regardless of what happens in court, it will not take back his injuries. Beth subsequently finds Charlie drinking outside The Dog and later he suffers a panic attack, with Nancy desperately trying to calm him. Darren is seething to learn of Beth's role in Charlie's anxiety increase and thus confronts his sister. Jonah attempts to intervene but the situation escalates when Nancy arrives to reveal that Charlie has gone missing.
The news prompts Darren to search all night, to no avail. The police turn up at 17 Basswood Road and inform Darren and Nancy that, due to Charlie having disappeared, he will go straight to prison upon being found. The news leaves Darren and Nancy reeling. Will they be able to locate Charlie? Frankie, meanwhile, reveals that she wants to find her brother before the situation is made worse for him. The question is: will she succeed?
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
