3 days Ago By Conor O'Brien
HOLLYOAKS' one-year time jump has revealed a shock cancer battle for Mercedes McQueen. Mercedes - played by Jennifer Metcalfe - has been a regular on Hollyoaks since 2006. A new storyline has seen the long-term character diagnosed with bowel cancer , The story picks up several months after the initial diagnosis, with Mercedes having had surgery to fit a stoma and colostomy bag as well as chemotherapy alongside a diagnosis of a secondary tumour.
Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said: "The advice and guidance of Bowel Cancer UK has been invaluable. "In coming months we will be with Mercedes as she continues to receive treatment and we will see how that impacts her physically and emotionally and the impact on her friends and family. Read more on Hollyoaks "We will also learn how her diagnosis came about, and through that, how we can all be vigilant with spotting symptoms.
"We know that portrayals on television increase awareness and the numbers of people seeking advice and very much hope that this storyline will play a part in that." Revealing how the storyline hits close to home, Jennifer Metcalfe said: "This story is incredibly important to me. When I was aged 15 I lost my dad to bowel cancer and it has impacted my life hugely.
"I have never taken my own health for granted, so when we discussed the storyline I jumped at the chance to do anything that might encourage conversation. Most read in Soaps “Mercedes deals with it in her own way, she’s never felt so vulnerable. "We’ve never seen that side of her and if people are talking about that then hopefully it becomes talking about their own health .
"I have been grateful to be guided by Bowel Cancer UK and glad they can offer help and support to anyone interested in the storyline. "Or who wants to know more about how to spot the symptoms and what best to do if you are worried.” Meanwhile, the time jump has also revealed that Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) had set his sights on a new victim, Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell).
In recent months, Abe has been involved in a major domestic abuse storyline with girlfriend Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin). Viewers have seen him become increasingly controlling in the relationship, culminating in Cleo jumping on a motorbike to escape. HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show? Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members .
It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members. Now Chelsee , who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X. The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page.
It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull. Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia. The soap's resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale.
Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon. Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years. However, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the McQueen home.
Abe caught up with Cleo at the hospital while professionals examined her injuries, but she soon vanished from her bed. READ MORE SUN STORIES It is revealed Abe's been keeping Cleo captive in his flat for a year. Having sparked a new romance with Peri, could history repeat itself?.
