Emotions will run intensely high in Hollyoaks as Luke Morgan is set to come face-to-face with his rapist Mark Gibbs, 17 years after the brutal attack.
Luke, played by Gary Lucy, discovers his attacker is free after being imprisoned for rape, and is returning to the Chester village, encouraging Luke to seek revenge.
The shocking rape scene aired in 2001, where viewers watched as Luke was bullied by Mark and his friends due to a football team rivalry.
Reeling: Emotions will run intensely high in Hollyoaks as Luke Morgan is set to come face-to-face with his rapist Mark Gibbs, 17 years after the brutal attack
Luke will struggle with the news of Mark’s arrival in the village, made worse by Mark turning up at Luke’s house in a powerful confrontation.
The face-to-face leaves Luke reeling as he tries to overcome his fears and get Mark to finally apologise for what he has done.
What Luke soon realises is that Mark’s wife Jenna doesn’t know the reason why her husband was behind bars for so long.
With this leverage, Luke has the chance to get Mark’s apology by threatening to reveal the truth to Jemma.
Emotional: Luke, played by Gary Lucy, discovers his attacker is free after being imprisoned for rape, and is returning to the Chester village, encouraging Luke to seek revenge
Gary, 35, took to the This Morning sofa earlier this year to discuss the importance of the sad storyline, which shocked viewers when it first ran in 2001.
He said: ‘It was the first time [the topic of male rape] was covered on TV. They were very sensitive and it was handled well.
‘The producer called me in to discuss the storyline. I thought my character would commit suicide.’
Referring to the taboo of the subject 16 years ago, Gary admitted that his father had reservations about the storyline: ‘I spoke to mum and dad about it, and my Dad was like “oh nooo!” – but that’s exactly why we needed to do it.’
Hasn’t dealt with it: ‘He sent his attacker to prison and then left the village. There’s a definite legacy. Basically coming back, he hasn’t dealt with those things’
‘He sent his attacker to prison and then left the village. There’s a definite legacy. Basically coming back, he hasn’t dealt with those things.
‘Had he not had that event in his life, he would have been the lovely guy that he was.
‘What we’re hoping is that the audience can see [who] he would have been had that not had happened and have the support he needs now to get to that point.’
If you have been affected by any of the sensitive issues surrounding this article please contact a Rape Crisis Centre at www.rapecrisis.co.uk
Harrowing: The shocking rape scene aired in 2001, where viewers watched as Luke was bullied by Mark and his friends due to a football team rivalry