Hollyoaks airs shocking Dee Dee and Abigail incident in dark school scenes

Hollyoaks spoilers follow for the latest episode to air on E4 and stream on the Channel 4 service, while this article contains discussion of themes including grooming.

Hollyoaks has aired a shocking incident involving Dee Dee Hutchinson as part of the soap's grooming storyline with Abigail Matthews.

Announced in July, the storyline will see Abigail form a disturbing 'friendship' with Dee Dee as she takes advantage of the vulnerable teenager following the death of her mother, Diane.

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In recent scenes, Dee Dee ended her budding relationship with Maddox after overhearing him say that their relationship wasn't serious.

Later, Dee Dee saw Abigail crying in her car, so she attempted to comfort her by telling her all the good things that she had done for people.

Dee Dee leant in for a kiss, but Abigail pulled away, saying she couldn't do that, though she was seen smirking as Dee Dee ran away.

In today's episode (14 September), Abigail watched as Dee Dee shared a kiss with Maddox. Abigail spoke to Dee Dee at school, telling her that she believed she's extraordinary.

While they were alone, Abigail got Dee Dee to read an inappropriate passage from a book. She encouraged Dee Dee to enter a drama competition and took her mobile number, saying: "Well, it's easier for me to message you rather than email. You teenagers don't check your inbox."

Later, Dee Dee took a suggestive photo for Maddox but accidentally sent it to Abigail. Dee Dee panicked and quickly deleted the picture, but Abigail managed to screenshot the image before it was removed.

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Hollyoaks has worked with the NSPCC and TDI (The Derwent Initiative) on the storyline to raise awareness about grooming and safeguarding.

"Young people, particularly teenagers, are at a pivotal age where making good choices is hard, while wanting to be independent," a TDI spokesperson said. "The Hollyoaks storyline will highlight that in order to do that, any ‘secret’ friendship or relationships should be questioned.

"Think about why someone would ask you to keep a healthy friendship a secret? Speak to a friend, or family member, or anonymous helplines are available."

Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).

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.