Horrified Hollyoaks fans complain to Ofcom & slam soap over ‘distressing’ incest scenes saying ‘give us a warning first’
HORRIFIED Hollyoaks fans have complained to Ofcom and slammed the soap over ‘distressing’ incest scenes saying ‘give us a warning first’.
It was revealed earlier this month that the soap was going to tackle the subject of sibling sex abuse.
In recent episodes, viewers saw Frankie accuse her paternal grandfather Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) of touching her inappropriately.
The accusation came after the pair shared a dance whilst reminiscing about Jack’s late wife, triggering Frankie into remembering moments of abuse she has previously suppressed.
This week, it was revealed that the person who had carried out the abuse was her twin brother JJ, when they were younger.
But to Frankie’s horror, her sibling made advances towards her once again during a terrifying moment in the bathroom.
As he approached her, she said: “We stopped playing that years ago.”
Looming over her, JJ replied: “But we can start again” before getting hold of her wrists and pulling her to him.
He then ran his hands up her arms before moving round to her back and down her spine as she stood in her nightie.
Thankfully they were interrupted by a noise, but before he left JJ turned to her and said: “I look forward to us playing again.”
The disturbing scenes sparked shock and fury among Hollyoaks viewers, and after the clip was shared on the show’s official Instagram page, one wrote: “Let me tell you now your gonna have some furious fans!
“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.
“You could’ve had a depressing storyline, like the Brother going through depression and the sister being able to help him. The possibility is endless of what storyline you could’ve done for these two twins, but you decided to do a complete 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 added: “I think you should have had a trigger warning at the start of this show.”
But they continued: “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.”
A third commented: “This episode should have said about distressing/triggering scenes. I felt sick to my stomach watching tonight. I really feel like this story line needs to be played at later time.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Meanwhile a fourth shared: “this is why i stopped watching hollyoaks, no need for incest.”
Another raged: “Honestly, #hollyoaks needs to be ended immediately or OFCOM‘d out of existence.”
However, others praised the show for raising awareness on the subject, with one writing: “I’m pretty sure the storylines have had much research done by experts, not armchair experts.
“This is a storyline that very much needs bringing to light. Sorry if it makes you uncomfortable in raising your awareness, not wanting to know doesn’t stop it happening.”
Another added: “That’s exactly why Hollyoaks run these storylines, because it happens in real life and putting it on Hollyoaks helps raise awareness and helps people know they’re not alone.”
A fellow viewer commented: “What a creepy storyline but this does happen and I’m glad Hollyoaks is doing it right.”
Hollyoaks Executive Producer, Hannah Cheers said: “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.
“Huge thanks goes to SARSAS for their unwavering support in helping us take this on.
“The performances delivered by our brilliant newcomers Isabelle Smith and Ryan Mulvey are breath-taking.
“I believe this story will make an impact for years to come and I am proud that Hollyoaks is still breaking new ground almost four decades on. That’s what we’re here for.”
A spokesperson for charity SARSAS said: “It remains a hidden, chronically under-estimated and untreated form of child sexual abuse.
“It continues to be ignored, played down, or denied by parents, professionals, and authorities as harmless or non-threatening childhood sexual experimentation that does not require attention.
“This is despite the known life-time effects of sexual violence and abuse on the health and happiness of survivors.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Hollyoaks airs on E4, Channel4.com and YouTube.