NIAMH BLACKSHAW'S TIME ON HOLLYOAKS COMES TO AN END AS JULIET DIES

During tonight's First Look episode (7th June) of the Chester based soap Hollyoaks, viewers saw an emotional episode air as Juliet Nightingale passed away from her battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Throughout this week's episodes, viewers have seen Juliet spent time with her loved ones ticking things off her bucket list as well as  making some memories for her loved ones to remember her by and to make her smile. The way that Hollyoaks have written this week's episodes have been fantastic, the dialogue has been amazing. The attention to detail has been wonderful and something that has honestly left me really emotional at times.

There has been something so captivating about tonight's first look episode saw Juliet taken on a trip down memory lane which her girlfriend, Peri Lomax put together seeing some fantastic camera shots used that saw Juliet share some final family moments in some incredibly emotional scenes.

It was the moment that Peri and Juliet were alone that got me the most as Peri read her speech to Juliet that had me super emotional as this relationship has been one hell of a rollercoaster for the pair over the past 2 years in particular especially as Juliet and Peri shared their first dance to John Legend's All Of Me - wow what a powerful moment. The filming from Ian Curtis throughout the episode was brilliant but this was one of the standout moments for me.

Leela bring there for her daughter, Peri at a time that she needs her most was beautiful to see as Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Ruby O'Donnell have a brilliant working relationship.

 

However, it was the scene as Juliet passed away from her battle that absolutely broke me as Peri laid by her side with some last comforting words. The scriptwriting throughout this evening's episode was brilliant - credit were it's due!

The final scene was beautifully shot by Ian Curtis with Peri looking up towards the stars. You could see so much vulnerability within the character, something that Ruby delivered wonderfully.

Thank you, Hollyoaks for allowing Juliet to pass away with her girlfriend by her side as Peri and Juliet's relationship over the past few years has been fantastic to see develop and despite everything they have been there for one another has given us some fantastic scenes and acting from Niamh and Ruby O'Donnell.

Niamh Blackshaw, you have showed everyone what a fantastic actress you are and the amount of research you have done for this role has shone through.

I can't finish this article without remembering all the fantastic storylines that Niamh has been a part of during her 4 and a half years on the show where she entered as their insecure character to her being a part of some hard-hitting storylines, to her character finding love, to her reuniting with her family, to her leaving her mark on the soap.

This episode of Hollyoaks aired tonight (7th June) on E4 (First Look) and will air tomorrow at 6.30pm on Channel 4. You can also stream the episode now on All4.