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Brooke Vincent's disturbing new storyline as she plays child groomer in Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks is set to tackle the issue of child grooming in a major new storyline involving Brooke Vincent's new character Abigail Matthews

[Brooke and Dee Dee will be the centre of a huge storyline to come]

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Brooke and Dee Dee will be the centre of a huge storyline to come(Image: Lime Pictures Ltd)

Hollyoaks is set to tackle the issue of child grooming in a major new storyline involving Brooke Vincent's character Abigail Matthews.

The former Coronation Street star joined the Channel 4 soap earlier this month, with Abigail initially introduced as a drug counsellor who supports Dee Dee Hutchinson. She famously played Kevin and Sally Webster's youngest daughter for 15 years between 2004 to 2019 on Coronation Street.

But viewers will see the relationship between the pair develop in a troubling direction as Abigail begins to build a close bond with the 14-year-old.

[Brooke's new storyline is set to have viewings on the edge of their seat]

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Brooke's new storyline is set to have viewings on the edge of their seat(Image: Lime Pictures Ltd)

Dee Dee is still coming to terms with the death of her adoptive mum Diane, who died from ovarian cancer, leaving the teenager particularly vulnerable.

As the story progresses, Abigail is expected to present her growing relationship with Dee Dee as a friendship. The pair will become increasingly close, with their bond developing further when school starts again in September.

However, Dee Dee does not understand the boundaries that exist between young people and adults in positions of authority, setting the stage for a disturbing grooming storyline.

The soap has worked alongside charities including The Derwent Initiative (TDI) and the NSPCC while developing the plot, with the aim of portraying grooming, safeguarding and abuse of power responsibly.

TDI has warned that situations similar to Dee Dee's can happen in real life but are often not reported because young people may not recognise what is happening or understand the criminal and safeguarding issues involved.

The charity said teenagers can be at an age where they are keen to become more independent while still finding it difficult to recognise when a relationship or friendship is unhealthy.

It added that young people should question why an adult might ask them to keep a friendship or relationship secret and encouraged anyone with concerns to speak to a trusted person or use an anonymous helpline.

The storyline marks a major soap role for Vincent, who is best known for playing Sophie Webster on Coronation Street. Brooke left the soap to go on maternity leave and has since welcomed sons Mexx and Monroe with footballer beau Kean Bryan.

[Brooke played Kevin and Sally Webster's youngest daughter for 15 years between 2004 to 2019 on Coronation Street]

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Brooke played Kevin and Sally Webster's youngest daughter for 15 years between 2004 to 2019 on Coronation Street(Image: ITV)

She had previously hinted that she could one day return to the cobbles before landing her new role in Hollyoaks.

Sharing the exciting news on Instagram, at the time, alongside a snap standing next to the iconic Hollyoaks sign, Brooke said: "So excited to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks for such a powerful storyline.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity to be back on screen playing a brand new character plus my family will be happy Im back in a full time job haha!"

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am

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