Hollyoaks spoilers: Evil rapist Finn O’Connor set to make dramatic return ahead of John Paul McQueen’s explosive exit
John Paul struggled to come to terms with the traumatic attack by the schoolboy, and he could be set for more heartbreak now
HOLLYOAKS' evil rapist Finn O'Connor is set to make an explosive return as his victim John Paul McQueen prepares to leave the soap.
It was previously revealed popular actor James Sutton, 33, will bow out from the Channel 4 soap in explosive scenes which see the gay teacher drive off the edge of a cliff in his car.
And while the circumstances leading to his death have been kept hidden, it's now claimed his rapist Finn will return.
The teen left the soap in February 2015 after John Paul visited him in jail, shortly after his violent act was exposed.
Keith Rice will reprise the role in the coming weeks, as his name appears in the official cast list for next week's episodes.
His mum Diane Hutchinson recently returned too, and she's carrying a heavy secret.
It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed James' character John Paul will drive himself off a cliff - although it's unclear if the much-loved character will definitely die in his dramatic exit storyline.
A show insider revealed: "James is a soap legend and will be sorely missed by Hollyoaks cast, crew and viewers.
“Producers have given him a huge, dramatic exit – so it’s going to be the perfect way to see off almost a decade of John Paul on our screens.
“In gut-wrenching scenes filmed in north Wales before Christmas, John Paul will be shown driving off the edge of a cliff in his car.
“Show chiefs aren’t necessarily saying his exit is for good and they are leaving the door open.
“But for now this is the last people will see of John Paul for the foreseeable future.”
James joined the soap in 2006, before his character came out as being gay and started having an affair with his best friend, Craig Dean.
The storyline was nominated for, and won, many awards and it also received acclaim from LGBT rights charity Stonewall.
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James originally quit the soap in 2008 before returning in December 2012.
The telly favourite has been involved in some big dramas in the programme – including the male rape plot which James admitted had taken its toll on him both physically and emotionally.
He also starred in Hollyoaks' first ever same-sex wedding in 2014 as John Paul wed Ste Hay at a pretty Liverpool church.
Viewers have recently been following John Paul’s turbulent relationship with James Nightingale.
James did his best to get back into John Paul’s good books as he bit the bullet and headed to his house at Christmas to make amends.