Hollyoaks star addresses confusion over whether Clare Devine is really dead

 "The stuff that she gets up to in three episodes is absolutely outrageous."

Hollyoaks icon Gemma Bissix has addressed whether Clare Devine is really dead following her confrontation with Sienna Blake. The soap villain returned to our screens earlier this month in dramatic fashion, after staging an elaborate escape from prison.

Upon her return to the village, Clare wasted no time in blackmailing Donny Clark as well as stealing Sienna's car, with Tori and baby Joseph inside. Tori managed to send their location to Sienna and Warren Fox, who were in pursuit of the car.

This led to a clifftop showdown between Sienna and Clare, with the altercation ending with Sienna pushing Clare off the edge and into the water below. But as this is soapland, there is every chance that the iconic soap character survived the fall.

It would not be the first time that Clare has been seemingly killed on-screen and presumed deceased either, with Bissix addressing whether she believes this is really it for her villainous character on the Channel 4 soap.

Speaking to The Mirror, the actor said: "I'm just back for a short stint, and the stuff that she gets up to in three episodes is absolutely outrageous. That's what I love about Hollyoaks, that it's just heightened drama."

Clare gets under Sienna's skin so badly that she ends up pushing Clare off the cliff, and that's it. But we look down to the water, and Clare is nowhere to be seen. As we have discovered in previous years, she's a fantastic swimmer, isn't she?" she teased.

Bissix, who first portrayed Clare in 2006, also praised co-star Anna Passey for her performance as Sienna. With Sienna having a shady past too, Bissix remarked how Passey was able to bring out the character's torn feelings.

It's brilliant because it is just so Clare," she said. "She's trying to goad Sienna by saying 'you were much more interesting when you were killing people'.

"I saw it with Anna with her acting - there's parts of me that think Sienna's going to start becoming a bit more like the old Sienna."

Home and away Monday 13th April 8696 Promo

Monday 13th April (8696) Brax takes a trip down memory lane. Cash delivers good news. Jo’s guilt spirals.

Home and Away 8695 Episode 9th April 2026

 Thursday 9th April (Episode 8695) Brax gets into a brawl. Mackenzie pursues her lead. Abigail and Lacey are united

Eastenders Spoilers: Sam Mitchell’s Health Update Amid Breast Cancer Battle

 

EastEnders legend Sam receives life-changing news after she was diagnosed with breast cancer

EastEnders’ Sam Mitchell has been receiving treatment for her breast cancer, and next week she will get further updates from her doctor.

At the close of last year, on the BBC soap, Sam (portrayed by Kim Medcalf) came back to Walford, but it was evident she was concealing a secret.

It was subsequently revealed that she had found a lump in her breast and was terrified of getting medical help, considering her late mum, Peggy Mitchell’s (Barbara Windsor), own fight with breast cancer.

Following some persuasion from brother Phil (Steve McFadden), Sam obtained medical assistance and was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The revelation left the fate of the beloved character uncertain.

She had a lumpectomy to eliminate the disease, and throughout the past month, she has also been having radiotherapy treatment, reports OK!.

In recent episodes of the BBC soap, Sam has been battling the side effects, and now she’s prepared to discover whether it’s been successful.

In exclusive photos, Sam can be seen attending a crucial appointment with her son, Ricky Branning (Frankie Day), beside her, and will receive positive news.

The medics confirm that her cancer treatment was successful and she’s completely clear. Feeling emotional at the doctor’s announcement, Sam embraces Ricky tightly, relieved that she’ll witness her boy mature alongside her granddaughter, Charli.

With the encouraging news deserving celebration, Sam arrives home to discover her family organising a spontaneous party to mark her health announcement, orchestrated by Phil.

Sam also reveals her cancer-free result to former flame and mate, Zack Hudson (James Farrar), and he’s absolutely thrilled to hear about his friend’s positive new perspective on life, particularly when his own situation is in complete chaos.

Their chat will also see Zack open up to Sam about his shocking affair with Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).

Now that Sam is cancer-free, will she remain in Walford or head back to Spain? Without doubt, EastEnders fans will be absolutely delighted to discover Sam still has a future on the soap.

Easenders 09/04/2026 Episode 9th April 2026

Easenders 09/04/2026 Episode 9th April 2026

 The verdict in Jasmine’s trial is read, Vicki shares her hesitations, and Elaine and Ian hold their campaign launch events.

EastEnders reveals Joel Marshall's sentence as harrowing story is revisited

 Ross delivers the news...

As EastEnders' Jasmine Fisher stood ready to hear the verdict in her murder trial tonight, there was another legal matter to attend to as Ross Marshall relayed his son Joel's sentencing. The teen character was previously found guilty of grievous bodily harm, voyeurism, and producing and distributing indecent images of a child.

The harrowing storyline saw him in court in January, after both Vicki Fowler and Avani Nandra-Hart fell victim to his cruelty.

In the latest episode, Vicki nervously waited for Ross to return from court with news of the sentencing. She ultimately learned that Joel will serve six months in a young offenders institute.

Ross relayed: "They gave me a few minutes with him. He was crying. I guess that's all part of paying for it.

He's got six months from now to think about it. Make good. Then when he gets out, it'll be down on me to keep an eye on him and help re-integrate him."

When Vicki asked: "How will we do that?", Ross clarified: "Babe, that's me. Not you."

Vicki was adamant, however, that this would be something they'd figure out as a team - even when Ross questioned where exactly Joel was meant to live when he's released later in the year.

Our insider previously teased: "It seems these two will never see eye to eye when it comes to Joel. But do they love each other enough to make it work? Or is it finally the end of the road for the couple, as Zack waits in the wings to swoop in?"

Indeed, viewers have seen Vicki and Zack being brought closer together after they previously slept together earlier in the year. In a twist just last week, Zack ended up moving in, following an invitation from an oblivious Ross.

Elsewhere on the soap, tonight's episode ended with Jasmine taking to the stand to hear the jury's verdict in her murder trial following the death of Anthony Trueman. Viewers will have to wait until tomorrow to find out whether she's found guilty or not guilty.

Hollyoaks lines up tragic aftermath for Rex after Froggy death

 Jonny Labey chats to us about what's in store.

Hollyoaks' Rex Gallagher was left grief-stricken this week as he discovered the tragic death of his grandfather Froggy. It's another devastating blow for the struggling mechanic, so where does he go from here?

Froggy lost his life in a dramatic showdown with Clare Devine-Banks, who'd just escaped from prison and rushed back to the village to settle some old scores.

Rex was distraught to lose his beloved grandad, especially after Froggy had lovingly supported him while he explored his identity in recent weeks.

In real life, former Emmerdale actor John Middleton has bowed out from the role of Froggy and is now moving on to star in comedy play Allegra alongside Coronation Street's Dame Maureen Lipman.

Jonny Labey, who plays Rex, recently caught up with us for an exclusive chat about Froggy's exit and what happens next…

We really were! We established a real force of nature with the family dynamic when the Blacks banded together last year. It was turbulent, but there were so many interesting scenes!

"I remember one scene last year where Froggy got everyone together and forced them to talk things over. Seeing all of those dynamite personalities around one table was very exciting – and John was very much the head of that.

"I know John's doing a play now with Maureen Lipman. It was sad to see him go after his wonderful time on the show, but it's great that he's landed on his feet with his next project straight away."

How will Rex deal with the loss of his grandfather?

"In Froggy, Rex found a really unexpected champion for his identity. That was explored beautifully. Froggy has probably seen a lot in his time! Even though people may have assumed he'd be the person who was less approving of Rex exploring his identity, he was someone who'd been in prison for 20 years and lived a varied life.

"It was a really interesting take on the situation where we showed that Ste had a bit of a resistance to Rex experimenting with his clothes and Froggy was the one who encouraged it. Froggy became really proud of what Rex was doing.

"Rex feels like that journey is incomplete. It tears Rex apart to lose Froggy and he is inconsolable."

It was wonderful. The scene that really stands out to me is the one where Froggy told Rex that he was going to have his love and support whether he wanted it or not!

"Froggy really had to fight for that. He wanted Rex to realise that he was being genuine. Froggy didn't like the fact that Rex seemed to be discarding him as a granddad and just seeing him as a criminal. It was his priority to be there for Rex.

"Froggy has died, but there's still so much that was left to say, explore and encourage. Now Rex's support network has very much been taken away from him."

This week, we saw Ste step in to support Rex after the sad news about Froggy. Does this bring the couple closer again?

"It does to an extent. I know that Rex feels like he's almost betrayed Ste by exploring his identity. He's tried to break down this masculine persona that he's got.

"Ste is on board with it, but he has to deal with how Rex thinks he'll react. Rex second-guesses everything, thinking: 'Ste isn't going to approve of this'. He judges himself and fears that he's ruining the relationship while trying to express who he is. That goes on for quite a bit.

"I think Froggy's death definitely brings them closer together, because obviously Rex realises that he's by himself now. It's really sad and difficult to watch, but they do get through it so it's not all doom and gloom!"

That's the ever-burning question! Can he ever stay on the straight and narrow? Can he hide who he is? When certain things arise, character is character.

"That's the thing that's really interesting for me in this storyline. Rex is trying to explore his past and trying to speak to the young boy he was before he joined the gang culture. He would have been an openly queer younger boy, but he fell into some really dangerous circles.

"It's basically about trying to honour that voice and work out what happened to the young boy he used to be, but he has been through what he's been through.

"I've always said that Rex has that exciting unpredictability, so when something goes wrong, it could spark him into something unexpected even though I know he means well. I don't think that side of you really goes!"

Home and away Thursday 9th April Episode 8695 Promo

Thursday 9th April (Episode 8695) Brax gets into a brawl. Mackenzie pursues her lead. Abigail and Lacey are united.

Home and Away 8694 Episode 8th April 2026

 Wednesday 8th April 2026 (8694) Justin jumps the gun. Jo has second thoughts. Mackenzie gets the wrong guy.

Easenders 08/04/2026 Full Episode 8th April 2026

 Jasmine faces a crucial decision, Penny confronts Nicola, and Ross and Vicki discuss their future.