By Stephen Patterson
Copyright metro
Tom Cunningham and Joel Dexter are currently in prison – though for very different reasons (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Hollyoaks fans were delighted to see two fan-favourites back on screens this week in the form of Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) and Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed).
It’s been quite some time since we last saw both Tom and Joel and, though their storylines aren’t connected, the two characters are currently behind bars.
This isn’t the first time Tom was seen in prison, however, with the character having officially returned to screens in July, when it was confirmed that he was serving a stint in jail.
The character, as viewers know, was always a stickler for playing by the rules, so the mere notion of him breaking the law took audiences by surprise.
Joel’s return to screens was also somewhat unexpected as viewers had come to believe that star Rory had wrapped filming after nine years on the show.
With Tom and Joel now back on Hollyoaks, you might find yourself wondering why exactly both characters were sent to prison – and if this is the case then allow me to catch you up.
Why is Tom in prison in Hollyoaks?
The reason for Tom’s incarceration is that after he and Cindy (Stephanie Waring) were run out of the village by Blue two years ago (one year onscreen due to the time jump), they went to stay with their sister Jude in Spain, where things went awry.
Tom was introduced by Jude to a friend of hers who had a ‘business opportunity’. In other words, he got involved in a dodgy investment scheme that ‘went south’ and Tom was made the scapegoat of the whole operation.
Tom got involved in a dodgy investment scheme (Picture: Lime Pictures)
The former market owner kept his prisoner stratus a secret from his loved ones but ultimately word soon spread, with Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) getting wind of her ex’s incarceration.
The pair reunited on-screen this week and sparks soon begin to fly – just in time for Tom’s release.
However, it’s not all going to be plain sailing for Tom as he soon crosses paths with his long-time nemesis Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix), who is back from the dead.
Why is Joel in prison in Hollyoaks?
Joel is in prison because he confessed to the murder of Tommy Odenkirk (Brandon Fellows).
Tommy, as viewers will recall, was introduced as the local therapist who was seeing various villagers including Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) and Jez Blake (Jeremy Sheffield).
It turned out, however, that he wasn’t actually a practising therapist and was secretly working in a chicken shop. He harboured a secret obsession with Joel and thus was using his sessions with Leela to get close to him in the hopes of forming a brotherly bond.
Joel was set up fro Tommy’s murder by Jez (Picture: Lime Pictures)
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A flashback episode to the ‘missing’ year documented the reason why Tommy became obsessed. While using drugs, Joel stumbled upon Tommy being bullied by his older brother Billy and he intervened, with Billy ending up with a serious head injury.
When Joel uncovered that Tommy was obsessed with him, the so-called therapist claimed that Billy died and proceeded to use such information as leverage over Joel in the hopes he would become the brother Billy never was.
Tommy Odenkirk was obsessed with Joel (Picture: Lime Pictures)
However, a subsequent twist confirmed that Billy was actually alive and that Tommy had lied. What’s more, Joel uncovered that Tommy had been meddling in his marriage to Leela, hoping to drive a wedge between the two in a bid to have Joel all to himself. He also leaked a video of Leela’s rape ordeal online.
Jez – who was also being blackmailed by Tommy over his admission of being a serial killer – encouraged Joel to take revenge and he ultimately did just that.
The following morning, Joel was horrified to find Tommy dead on the floor of his flat and, despite contemplating going on the run, he confessed his actions to the police and was subsequently jailed. But in an unexpected turn of events, Jez was later seen admitting to the crime, meaning that he killed Tommy and allowed an unsuspecting Joel to take the blame.
Typical Jez!
When did Joel return to Hollyoaks?
Joel staged an on-screen return this week (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Prior to his comeback, Joel was last seen on our screens in May when he confessed to Tommy’s murder and was jailed. His scenes on Wednesday September 17 serve as his return.
The character reconnects with Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), who is serving time in prison for the murder of Bobby Costello (Zak Sutcliffe) – another crime that was actually carried out by Jez.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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