Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (13 May), which is available to watch on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Hollyoaks has aired Alex Fletcher’s heartbreaking final scenes as Diane Hutchinson, as the iconic character dies in a hugely emotional episode of the soap. Diane, who has been at the heart of the soap for the last 16 years, was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in March.
This week, she revealed to her husband Tony and son Ro that her oncologist told her she has less time left than was originally thought – weeks, not months. But they agreed to put this horrible news to the side for one day to enjoy Ste and Rex’s wedding as a family.
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Amid the celebrations in The Dog, Tony and Diane had an emotional dance together in front of their loved ones. Diane became tired so went upstairs to rest with the help of Leela, but it became clear that her pain was getting much worse.
In today’s episode, Diane recorded herself singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ on her phone, a song that helps Eva get to sleep. As she looked at a photo of the whole family, a devastating black and white montage played on screen, tracking her and Tony’s beautiful love story over the years.
Back at the wedding reception, Tony gave struggling Ro some much-needed support. The pair decided that they would take a plate of party food up to Diane, alongside Ant and Dee Dee.
The Hutchinsons brought a smile to Diane’s face as they put some music on, but an argument broke out when Dee Dee found pictures of Rex on Ro’s phone, and Dee Dee lashed out at the whole family.
Later, the teens made amends, with Dee Dee apologising to Ro for what she said. Before she went to bed, Diane said goodbye to her kids and told them that she loves them very much.
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Tony put Diane to bed then was called away to help Eva. Diane thanked her husband for their dance earlier and advised him not to be too harsh on Dee Dee, before asking him to keep the bedroom door open slightly.
The Hutchinson kids and Tony came together to get Eva back to sleep, singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ together. As Diane listened to her family from her bed, she passed away peacefully.
Tony later returned to give Diane her medicine and broke down in tears as he discovered that she had died. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” he said, hugging his wife and soulmate one last time.
Hollyoaks is working on Diane’s story with support from Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity that focuses on early detection, prevention and treatments for the illness. Support and information are available via the charity’s website.
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.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
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