15 March 2024 , 08:15
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Hollyoaks viewers have lodged complaints with Ofcom and criticised the soap for its 'upsetting' incest scenes, asking for a warning beforehand.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the soap would be addressing sibling sexual abuse. In recent episodes, Frankie accused her grandad Jack Osbourne (played by Jimmy McKenna) of inappropriate touching. This accusation came after they shared a dance while remembering Jack's late wife, which triggered suppressed memories of abuse for Frankie.
This week, it was revealed that the abuser was her twin brother JJ from when they were younger. But to Frankie's horror, her brother made advances towards her again in a scary bathroom scene. As he approached her, she said: "We stopped playing that years ago."
Hollyoaks viewers found the scenes extremely disturbing (Channel 4)Standing over her, JJ responded: "But we can start again" before grabbing her wrists and pulling her close. He then moved his hands up her arms, around to her back and down her spine as she stood in her nightie.
Luckily, they were interrupted by a noise, but before leaving, JJ told her: "I look forward to us playing again." The unsettling scenes caused shock and anger among Hollyoaks fans. After the clip was shared on the show's official Instagram page, one viewer wrote: "This is just so wrong on so many levels. Is there any need? Horrifying."
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"This is an unnecessary storyline that could've gone differently, you could've had the brother be very protective because of what they've both gone through with their mum," another echoed. "You could've had a depressing storyline, like the brother going through depression and the sister being able to help him.
Viewers said the scenes should have come with a trigger warning (Channel 4)"The possibility is endless of what storyline you could've done for these two twins, but you decided to do a completely unnecessary storyline. Don't get it twisted these things happen in real life but you wanna show things that people will want to watch not be sick from."
Another viewer pointed out: "Where's the trigger warning for this? This is horrific." Another went on to say: "The acting was spot on, and this happens much more than people actually realise. So as hard as it is to watch, well be done to Hollyoaks once again for highlighting real-life issues that others hide away from."
Someone else added: "What a creepy storyline. It's disgusting and disturbing but this does happen in real life. I'm glad Hollyoaks is doing it right." While another viewer shared: "As horrific as this is to watch, it's a real issue."
Hollyoaks explores sibling sexual abuse in Frankie and JJ story (Grab)Hollyoaks' Executive Producer, Hannah Cheers said of the controversial storyline: "Sibling sexual abuse is a subject matter that desperately merits attention and recognition. It's one of the most infrequently disclosed forms of sexual abuse, yet the statistics are startling.
"Hollyoaks is shining a light on this issue for the first time in a long-term soap storyline because we need to get this conversation started amongst our multi-generational audience. Our research, story, script and writing teams have devoted themselves to telling this story truthfully and passionately."
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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