HOLLYOAKS is about to be rocked as a huge twist blows the lid off mysterious therapist Tommy Odenkirk – as the soap star has teased it’s a “massive bombshell”; fans won’t see coming.
The shady newcomer, who’s been getting far too close to several villagers, is finally unmasked – and his real identity could leave lives in tatters.
Tommy Odenkirk (Brandon Fellows) arrived in the village village last month, posing as a well-meaning counsellor and worming his way into Leela Lomax’s () life.
But viewers were left gobsmacked when it was revealed Tommy’s real target was actually Joel Dexter () – and Monday’s (April 7) explosive flashback episode finally revealed why.
In chilling scenes from the soap’s ‘missing year' storyline, Tommy’s dark obsession with the former priest was laid bare – and it’s about to spiral out of control.
As memories began to flooding back for Joel, the dramatic flashback revealed that Joel was responsible for “saving him” from his brother by putting Billy in hospital.
Joel, reeling from grief over baby Noah’s death, had tried to score drugs – but was intercepted by his furious dad Warren Fox (), who had just returned from Ecuador and floored his son with a punch to the face.
Trying to clean up his act, Joel vowed to fix his marriage... but another heartbreaking reminder of his loss sent him spiralling once again.
High and out of control, he ended up in a nightclub where he witnessed Billy brutally berating his brother Tommy, branding him a “useless, pathetic excuse of a man”;.
Seeing red, Joel lashed out – punching Billy, who hit his head on the stairs and was knocked unconscious.
In the present day, a guilt-ridden Joel admitted he hasn't touched drugs since finding out Leela was pregnant the next morning – but remains haunted by what he did.
But Tommy? He was grateful.
Twisting Joel’s violent act into a moment of salvation, Tommy revealed he’d kept the secret as thanks – and now considers Joel family.
“We mightn’t be blood,”; he told him chillingly, “but you’re my brother now, Joel. And I’m yours. It’s me and you against the world.”;
Actor Brandon Fellows explained to the Metro: “Tommy was bullied by his brother and ridiculed for being a weird, quirky character.
“Joel sees Billy being a bully and comes over and punches him, putting him into a coma.
“Tommy just wants a brotherly figure that he’s never had. He’s hoping Joel will be that brotherly figure.
“Tommy doesn’t have anyone left in his life. His mother has passed away and his brother is in a coma, so he doesn’t really have anyone.
“He’s just trying to grasp on to someone who will show him a little bit of attention.”
So what's next for Tommy?
The actor teased: “There’s going to be a massive, massive shift. A massive bomb is going to drop in Hollyoaks.”
Is Joel and Leela in danger?
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am onChannel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4 and on YouTube.
