Hollyoaks confirms major village return as two arrests change everything

Rex Gallagher boldly returns to the village in Hollyoaks next week – and faces a furious backlash for his role in the exploitation scheme.

In a surprise turn of events, Rex is granted his freedom after recently changing his police statement to implicate the true masterminds.

Viewers have just seen Rex give evidence confirming that his sisters Grace Black and Clare Devine were both heavily involved in what happened to Dillon Ray, Frankie Osborne and other young people in the local area.

This led to Grace and Clare finally being arrested for their crimes, as police detectives Donny Clark and Dodger Savage closed in.

In new scenes next week, Tom Cunningham gives Rex his long-awaited introduction to prison top dog Froggy – played by former Emmerdale star John Middleton. However, he's shocked to realise that Froggy has been keeping one crucial detail under wraps…

"Tom can't believe it when he finds out that Froggy is Rex's grandfather," our Hollyoaks source explains.

"Froggy has been taking a very close interest in Rex, Clare and Grace – and now it becomes clear that it's been personal for him all along.

Later, Donny visits Rex to explain that he's being released after helping the police deal with Grace and Clare.

As Rex takes his first steps of freedom, he decides to keep to himself. He's mainly worried about how Grace and Clare, who've been released on bail, will react to seeing him back.

Rex turns to his on-off boyfriend Ste Hay, hoping that they can get back together. Ste is wary of giving Rex a second chance – at least until he's figured out how his troubled son Lucas would feel about it.

"Lucas is still livid over Rex's involvement in what happened to Dillon," our insider adds. "Lucas's volatile temper has already led to several violent incidents at home, so Ste knows he has to tread carefully."

Lime Pictures

Lime Pictures

Lime Pictures

When Ste and Rex end up spending the night together, things seem to be looking up for their relationship – but what will Lucas have to say when he finds out?

Later, word spreads around the village that Rex is back and many people are unhappy that he hasn't been punished more severely.

Rex brazenly attends a barbecue event that Tony Hutchinson is hosting at The Hutch, but Darren Osborne, Nancy Osborne, Dillon and Lucas are all there and not afraid to speak their minds… Will the situation get out of hand?