Exclusive: Hollyoaks confirms “screaming and crying” as Leah’s wedding day goes wrong
What does Imran have in store for her?
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Charlotte Riley has dropped the biggest hint yet that her on-screen wedding day is about to end in heartbreak. The actor’s character, Leah Barnes, is preparing to tie the knot with Imran Maalik, but secrets and lies threaten to cast a shadow over the big day.
Viewers already know that Leah has been betraying Imran by pursuing a steamy fling with his best friend Prince McQueen. She has always been adamant that she intends to end the affair once she’s married, but is her infidelity a decision she’ll live to regret?
Lime Pictures
In an exclusive chat with Digital Spy when we visited the Hollyoaks set for the filming of the wedding, Riley confirmed that she’d been working on some highly-charged scenes in which Leah breaks down.
“I was so excited. It was kind of hard to put myself in that position to be so emotional and sad, as I was buzzing!” she laughed. “I’ve got a nice dress and everyone is happy, but I’m screaming and crying… It’s amazing, I’ve had the best time.”
“Fans can expect a lot of drama and a lot of secrets. Everything’s coming out in the wash, but not in a good way!” teased the star, who added that her character does feel a sense of “guilt” after being unfaithful to Imran.
“In her head she’s not wrong and I don’t think she meant anything by it, even though it’s clear to see that it’s the wrong thing to do. But in the moment she’s quite impulsive and having fun. She’s thinking that she’s not married yet and still single to some extent.”
Unbeknowst to Leah, Imran is harbouring a secret of his own, and he causes a stir on the big day when he does a mysterious disappearing act. This leaves Leah devastated, but more drama is set to come.
When he eventually turns up, Imran holds off from reciting his marriage vows and instead makes a huge confession which threatens to turn the day into complete chaos! It remains to be seen secret he’s hiding, and who he’s been talking to.
Lime Pictures
Reflecting on whether Leah’s only with Imran for his money, Riley clarified: “She definitely loves Imran. She’s intelligent enough to make her own money herself, so she doesn’t need to rely on a man. She does love him and she wouldn’t be with him just for money.
“Leah thinks that the business with Prince is done with and she can focus on herself now. She’s seen the ceremony all come together and she’s really excited as usual. She thinks she’s sorted it all, but it’s clearly not happened the way she thought!”
