Hollyoaks to revisit Ro’s mental health struggle in devastating new scenes
"He has moments of really struggling."
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks is set to revisit Ro Hutchinson’s mental health struggle in the coming weeks, as the teenager comes to terms with his mum’s terminal diagnosis. In this week’s scenes, Diane told her children that she has ovarian cancer and that there is nothing more doctors can do for her.
The Hutchinson teens were all devastated, but Ro was particularly impacted by the news. He lashed out at Diane and called her selfish for keeping this diagnosis from them, before heading out to an LGBT club on his own.
In an exclusive chat with us at Inside Soap, Leo Cole, who plays Ro, explained his character’s reaction to the prospect of losing his mum.
“Initially he’s quite upset and angry about it all,” he said. “Diane promised him that she’d never leave him, and then learning she’s ill is heartbreaking. Your world shatters around you and I’m sure that’s true in real life as well. When he finds out, he is mad, and he is upset, and he’s very emotional.”
Ro has had some tough times over the last couple of years, previously turning to alcohol while he was bullied by Arlo. Leo revealed that Ro might return to these dangerous coping mechanisms as he deals with Diane’s illness.
“He’s been through a lot so he’s strong, but news like that can knock you off your axis,” he explained. “He does have moments of really struggling. There might be some off-the-rails things happening and times where he slips back into old habits. But Rex supports him.”
Viewers know that Ro has been a great support to Rex in return, and is currently one of the only people who knows that Rex is secretly experimenting with his identity by wearing women’s clothes.
Asked about the pair’s friendship, Leo replied: “It’s really wholesome. It’s sweet to see them support each other. Ro’s been through so much, so to come out of the other side and be able to help somebody else in a similar situation is really beautiful.
“Hollyoaks is very well known for its groundbreaking storylines, so it’s been absolutely brilliant.”