A Christmas wedding is on the cards for one Hollyoaks couple as Darren Osborne remains missing and Leela Dexter struggles to keep her secret from husband Joel Dexter

Hollyoaks fans can expect plenty of drama next week as missing Darren Osborne’s (Ashley Taylor Dawson) business cards are found in the woods. In upcoming scenes of the Channel 4 soap, a concerned Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) set up a search party but Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) tries to get out of helping search for Darren.

At the woods, Leela runs off telling Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed) and Peri to leave her alone. In The Dog, Frankie demands people tell her the truth and stops trying to protect her. Later in the week, Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) confronts Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham) after his confession about having something to do with Darren’s disappearance.

Also, Joel tells Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) about Leela’s panic attack in the woods, the McQueen rushes out telling Joel she’s going to see Leela, leaving him to lock up Casa McQueen.

It’s the day of the Maria’s Christening and with chemotherapy starting tomorrow, Mercedes is determined to make the day special. She basks in the tranquillity of the church before the guests arrive and thanks Grace Black (Tamara Wall) for all her help to organise the day ahead.

After Leela stormed out on Joel, he tells Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) he thinks he knows what is up with his wife. Reunited in the church with Leela, Joel still wants answers, Leela tells him she can’t give them yet

Apprehensive to how the chemotherapy will affect her, Mercedes hands out her Christmas presents. Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) is taken aback by a thoughtful gift. Everyone rallies around to support Mercedes while she embarks on a course of chemotherapy.

In emotional scenes, Mercedes tells Grace she wouldn’t be able to face the treatment without her, Grace holds back the tears. Freddie arrives at the hospital to take over from Grace.

Elsewhere, Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) takes baby Clara to visit Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) who asks if things are awkward between him and Peri, believing they’ve broken up as Abe continues to lie. Abe later suggests to Peri they get married in two weeks, for Christmas. All steam ahead, Peri books in a wedding dress shop later that day.

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