Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s (January 15) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on at 7pm.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) broke down in tears as twin brother JJ (Ryan Mulvey) admitted to sexually abusing her – just seconds before the jury found him guilty.
JJ, as viewers know, abused Frankie for years, with the ordeal coming to light last year when the two characters moved to the eponymous village with mum Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall).
After months of torment, Frankie bravely opened up to dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) about what JJ had put her through and he never doubted her for a second.
JJ was subsequently arrested, with the Channel 4 soap taking a time jump one year into the future. The abuser was diagnosed with leukaemia and recorded a video confession for Frankie, finally admitting what he did.
Frankie, however, donated her bone marrow so that he could live, hoping that he would be well enough to stand trial and pay for his crimes.
This week saw JJ take to the stand but, in upsetting scenes, he claimed that he recorded the aforementioned confession under duress. What’s more, his barrister claimed that Frankie was lying.
Frankie bravely told the truth on the stand, with Darren, Nancy (Jessica Fox) and Jack (Jimmy McKenna) delivering testimonies too.
The jury subsequently returned with a verdict and, during the opening moments of Wednesday’s episode, JJ awaited his fate.
In an unexpected turn of events, the abuser broke down before the foreperson could deliver the verdict, admitting to his crimes.
The jury found him guilty and sentenced him to two years. Darren confronted JJ, demanding to know why he made Frankie relive her ordeal in court instead of just admitting to what he did.
JJ pleaded with Darren to come visit him in prison as he was taken away.
This marks the end of JJ star Ryan Mulvey’s time on Hollyoaks.
Frankie, meanwhile, reeled in the aftermath of what transpired in court and spent some time with her loved ones at The Hutch, which is set to re-open in upcoming scenes.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
