'Hollyoaks' John Paul McQueen is set to hit "rock bottom" following the death of his abusive partner George Kiss (Callum Kerr).
James Sutton
John Paul turns to alcohol following George's death and James Sutton - who plays the schoolteacher - says there is worse to come for his alter-ego.
He told Metro.co.uk: "He’s not coping very well. This is the start of a long storyline, about how John Paul is coping, or not coping. He’s struggling to pick up the pieces of his life.’
"He’s drinking and lashing out, and almost becoming the guy that George said that he was: that he does have a nasty side. And that’s kind of coming out. Now that he’s dealt with the heartache of losing his partner, it’s about figuring out where he fits in society again.
"It’s like the pattern of violence in their relationship is still apparent in his everyday life. He doesn’t see there is anything wrong. He can’t see that he’s changed, it’s only other people that can see it, and notice it, and question. It’s a difficult time."
Viewers will be shocked to see John Paul physically lash out at Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), who accuses him of sleeping with his partner James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan).
James said: "Ste doesn’t speak to him particularly well, but it doesn’t warrant being punched or screamed at, which is what happens.
"James is there as well, and he witnesses John Paul’s behaviour. John Paul is embarrassed and ashamed, as well as having to deal with the truth that he’s not the upstanding member of the community that he thought he was."
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