WHY LAST NIGHT'S FIRST LOOK HOLLYOAKS WAS IMPORTANT

I haven't written a Hollyoaks blog in a while, and having watched this week's episodes with Cher McQueen's storyline last night's inparticular I have decided to share one.

Last night's (21st September's can be seen tonight on Channel 4 - 22nd September) First Look episode had me in tears. Hollyoaks have been exploring Cher McQueen's back story over the past few months as she has started to struggle with her mental health.

Something that Hollyoaks and all the soaps do fantastically is, all the research that goes into each and every episode when they work with charities to highlight many important issues.

Since, Cher's arrival in Chester 15 months ago, Cher has been one character that has been taken on a journey that has been wonderful to explore as a viewer especially her relationship with her father, Slyver McQueen. But seeing Cher struggle over the past few months has seen us viewers learn even more, and see Cher become more vulnerable due to what she has experienced. As viewers we will know that Cher's hasn't always been herself and struggling since Romeo Nightingale told her about his one night stand, but looking back you could see how much she needed someone to be there for her!

However, the vulnerability seen from Cher during last nights' First Look being the one that saw her struggle even more that I think we as viewers didn't realise. But in last night's Channel 4 episode, viewers saw Sid Sumner realise that Cher was struggling as he offered her a friendly ear when she needed it, however, in the first look episode it was Bobby who raised the alarm seeing her post online to Slyver that saw him leave The Dog In The Pond to look for her which saw him end up rescuing her.

At the hospital, Cher woke up and her father was at her bedside. Slyver was struggling to understand the emotions within this scene was something that had me emotional. However, the scene that really got me was Mercedes and Cher's heart-to-heart made for wonderful scenes - this was one scene that really stands out as it's one of those moments that you never realised you knew you needed between these characters. It was nice to see Cher accepting the offer of help, by agreeing to 'stay'.

I would personally like to see Cher and Slyver start to rebuild their relationship as Cher really needs her father - I know it will be difficult but she needs someone! Also, I think as a viewer it would be lovely to see Romeo being their to support his ex-girlfriend as it's obvious that he still cares for her despite everything he did to her, but that's for Cher to decide.

My final note on last night's episode is that Cher's storyline is one that I have nothing but praise for as I know that it will reach many people and see viewers start to reach out and start talking. Bethannie Hare is an incredible actress with a bright future ahead no doubt.

Hollyoaks worked with the Samaritans charity and you can found their details here.