Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) makes an unexpected return to Hollyoaks next week when her children Ant (Brook Debio), Ro (Leo Cole) and Dee Dee (Chloe Atkinson) receive messages from their late mother on the day of their 16th birthday. The messages, recorded before her death, arrive as a surprise gift from Tony (Nick Pickard).
Diane, a staple of the Channel 4 soap for 16 years, passed away in May after a battle with ovarian cancer, just weeks after learning her diagnosis was terminal. The landlady of The Dog died in bed while listening to the voices of her husband Tony and their children as they read a bedtime story to Eva.
A Difficult Loss for the Hutchinsons
Losing the matriarch has proven difficult for the family, particularly for Dee Dee, whose last conversation with her mum wasn't pleasant. Her subsequent actions left Tony worried for her wellbeing, though he remains unaware that his daughter is being groomed by her teacher Abigail (Brooke Vincent).
With Dee Dee, Ant and Ro's 16th birthday approaching, Tony suggests a joint celebration. On the morning of the party, he gives them the ultimate gift: voice messages recorded by Diane before her death.
Diane's Final Words
In typical Diane fashion, the legendary pub landlady's words of wisdom are spot on, and it proves emotional for everyone involved. Diane's final scenes aired in May, bringing to an end Alex Fletcher's 16 years on the show.
Discussing her final scenes, Alex told Metro in May: 'It's hit very different, I'm not going to lie. It's a bit surreal. That's the only word I can use to describe it. It's like having an out of body of experience.'
'It is surreal and I am gutted. It's sad watching myself go through that because I put my heart and soul into that storyline and I was sad to leave everyone. And I'm gutted for Diane! Every time I did the scenes I kept thinking: Oh my god! – I felt like I was her friend and when I thought of it like that, I'd get choked. But I'd be thinking: I can't do every scene sobbing because that's not the reality of the situation. People are actually really brave when they're going through cancer, it can sometimes be everybody else that crumbles.'
How to Watch
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
