Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks Star Richard Blackwood has explained Felix Westwood’s huge new story for the first time.
Felix has been struggling to cope since hearing his son DeMarcus was planning to leave, and he’ll immerse himself in the dangerous world of bare-knuckle boxing to channel his emotions.
Viewers have already seen the story begin on screen, when Felix lied to his partner Mercedes about some nasty injuries he suffered.
Related: Hollyoaks reveals the aftermath of Rayne’s shocking accusations
Felix will continue to cause concern over the coming months, with Richard – who plays him – promising some of his character’s toughest scenes yet.
Talk to digital spy During an exclusive Inside Soap Awards photoshoot, Richard said, “You’re going to see layers for Felix. We’ve seen layers before and I think the public now thinks they know him. But with DeMarcus gone, Felix feels like he’s lost his kids because of his bad choices and the things that happened.
“Men, in general, have this bravado that we think we have to nurture and we don’t necessarily see how that affects men. We’re more open now to men suffering from mental health as much as women and men talking about their emotions, but there was a time when that didn’t happen. Felix is from this generation.
“He’s around Warren and Mercedes, aspiring people, but it’s got to come out one way or another. Without telling you too much, it comes out a different way and he’s dealing with mental illness.”
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Richard also admitted he had doubts about how to play the story when it was first presented to him.
“When we started doing it, I wasn’t sure,” he explained. “I thought, ‘How do we play this?’ But as we started doing it, I realized that I know people and I grew up with people who deal with their emotions that way. I think a lot of guys will be able to relate.
“Again, you’re going to see a real dark side, but not stereotypically dark. It has more to do with when a man breaks down and how he feels he has to deal with it and punish himself.
“It’s pretty dark. I’m very proud of some of the scenes you haven’t seen yet.”
Richard is up for Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards and you can watch our full behind-the-scenes video from the photo shoot at the top of the page.
To see all of the exclusive photos and interviews with the Hollyoaks cast, get the latest copy of interior soap magazine, on sale now.
To vote in the Inside Soap Awards 2023, go to www.insidesoap.co.uk.
Discover more of our Hollyoaks blanket:
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– Hollyoaks reveals the aftermath of Rayne’s shocking accusations
– Hollyoaks confirms the heartbreaking story of Donna-Marie
– Hollyoaks star Tamara Wall confirms Grace Black was fired
– Hollyoaks revealed role for ex-EastEnders star Rita Simons
– Hollyoaks casting 2023 – who plays who?
– Soap Movers: who leaves, returns and joins Hollyoaks, EastEnders, coronation street, Emmerdale And At home and away
Hollyoaks streams online first via Channel 4, with new episodes dropping every weekday morning. The show airs Monday to Friday at 6.30pm on Channel 4 and 7pm on E4.
Some omnibus episodes are available via First video.
Learn more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, organizations that can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans at 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the United States are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Serials
Sophie is an award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience as a writer. Previously at BT.com, where she had her own Reality TV column, Sophie joined the Digital Spy soap opera team in 2013 and won Unsung Hero of the Year at the PPA Awards in 2022.
Over the years, she’s written hundreds of articles about the Carters, the Dingles, and even Wellard the Hound, and created a number of the site’s video franchises. Sophie hosted Digital Spy’s first ever ‘Soap Scoop’ podcast of 2020, where she spoke to Alan Fletcher (aka Doctor Karl) and Lisa Riley, was interviewed on podcasts and live radio and represented the company on the British Soap Awards panel.