Hollyoaks actress Nadine Mulkerrin has opened up about her character Cleo McQueen’s chilling new storyline as she is being held captive by her abusive boyfriend Abe Fielding

Nadine Mulkerrin has shared her surprise at the latest Hollyoaks plot twist for her character Cleo McQueen as the Channel 4 soap takes a one-year leap forward.

During Monday’s episode (September 16), viewers discovered what had happened to the village residents over the past year following a fatal motorbike crash that claimed the life of Suzanne Osborne.

Cleo was behind the accident, losing control of the bike while trying to flee from her abusive boyfriend Abe Fielding (played by Tyler Conti). However, Abe found Cleo in hospital and informed her that his mother Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) had died in the accident – a claim that fans are still waiting to verify as either truth or another manipulative lie.

Cleo subsequently disappeared from her hospital bed, and it was revealed in the recent time-jump episode that she had travelled to Bali, with her family receiving a postcard assuring them of her enjoyable time there.

Meanwhile, Abe has moved on with Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell), who is eager to go public with their clandestine relationship, although he seems less enthusiastic about revealing their union.

Cleo is being held captive by her abusive boyfriend Abe Fielding (Image: Lime Pictures)

However, in a shocking twist at the end of the riveting episode, Abe was seen returning home to heat up a microwave meal, revealing that he has been holding Cleo captive in his basement for the past year. He’s been sending postcards to her family, leading them to believe she’s having a great time, but the reality couldn’t be more different, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Nadine opened up about her new storyline to the press, saying: “My jaw was on the floor. When Hannah [Cheers] told me I was like ‘what? ‘ but I’ve been in the show 10 years now and I was ready for a new challenge and I’ve never been in a cupboard in captivity before so I’m here for it.”

Abe is currently dating Peri Lomax (Image: Lime Pictures)

“Hannah [Cheers] is so good at bringing all the different storylines together and the domino effect of how it affects each storyline.” As viewers discovered that Abe is still manipulating Cleo a year later, Nadine confessed that she hopes Cleo will be the one to finally bring him down. She stated: “I want it to be me. I want to do it. Let me be the one. I think it should be Cleo.”

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am