Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode, which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.

Note: This article discusses topics including su!cidal ideation.

Hollyoaks has aired a shocking outcome in Ro Hutchinson’s bullying story, in the show’s latest episode.

Ro is being cruelly bullied by Arlo, with physical violence, transphobic insults and threats ruining his life. The situation was made worse when Ro’s dad Tony and Arlo’s mum Marie announced their engagement this week.

However, Diane discovered nasty messages on Ro’s phone that evening, and when she responded to the bully, she was horrified to realise that Arlo was the culprit.

diane hutchinson and ro hutchinson in hollyoaks
Lime Pictures

 

In today’s episode, Diane once again tried to tell Tony about Arlo’s bullying, now she had proof. But Tony refused to listen to her claims, instead saying that they needed to come together for Ro.

Tony took matters into his own hands and asked Ro if Arlo was bullying him, but he was reassured when the teenager insisted that Diane had got it all wrong.

Arlo threatened Ro in the village, taunting him for responding to his nasty texts last night – unaware that he was actually conversing with Diane – and encouraging him to take his own life.

diane and tony hutchinson in hollyoaks
Lime Pictures

Diane arrived and demanded that Ro tells her the truth once and for all. Ro finally admitted that Arlo is bullying him, revealing that he shared the binding photo online, physically attacked him and put sanitary towels in his bag.

He explained that he has been too frightened to say anything, and that he was carrying the knife out of fear of Arlo’s violent threats – which led to Oscar’s stabbing.

Meanwhile, with Tony and Marie’s engagement party in full swing, Arlo played innocent in front of the adults and made a good impression with his future stepdad.

tony hutchinson, marie fielding and arlo fielding in hollyoaks
Lime Pictures

Diane showed up at the party, with Ro in tow, and tried to appeal to Tony once more, but he begged his ex-wife not to cause a scene.

Arlo then made a speech for Tony and Marie, where he said that he was excited to spend more time with Ro and called him his “new best friend”.

Tony noticed how upset Ro was and finally realised that Diane was right about their son’s bully. Tony suddenly saw red, walking up to Arlo and slapping him in front of the crowd.

Will there be repercussions for Tony’s shocking outburst?