Juliet received heartbreaking news, with doctors confirming that she’s going to die (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw has spoken out after Juliet Nightingale received the heartbreaking news that her cancer is terminal.
The actress, who has played Juliet on the Channel 4 soap for five years, confirmed her departure, after Monday’s (May 15) edition of the show saw Juliet told that there were no further options available in her battle against cancer.
‘Juliet’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is now terminal,’ said Niamh, discussing the plot development. ‘Over the next few weeks, you’ll see Juliet tell loved ones, live out her last days, and then she is going to die.’
The popular character, as viewers know, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma last year, and subsequently underwent treatment in a bid to fight the disease.
This treatment didn’t work as she’d hoped, with doctors later informing her that she needed a more intense form of chemo due to the aggressiveness of the cancer, which she received.
Juliet, however, needed a stem cell transplant and more chemo, which she was hoping to receive in Birmingham, but after contracting a kidney infection the operation was unable to take place, with a subsequent bout of norovirus resulting in her ending up in Dee Valley hospital.
Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell), meanwhile, has been supporting her girlfriend every step of the way, with Monday’s first look offering of the Channel 4 soap seeing her excited at the prospect of Juliet being discharged from hospital.
Juliet was notified that she could no longer receive the stem cell transplant (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Doctors then told her that they can’t offer her any treatment because she’s not well enough to withstand it (Picture: Lime Pictures)
The former nurse paid Jules a visit, with the two manifesting a positive and happy future together, all the while toying with the notion of taking another trip to Brighton, after their previous one proved so successful.
There was, however, upsetting news on the cards, with the doctors informing Juliet that her kidney function hadn’t improved, with the cancer having spread while she wasn’t able to receive chemotherapy.
‘We feel we’re not able to give you the stem cell transplant and you’re not well enough to withstand further treatment, I’m afraid,’ said Dr Stephens in emotional scenes.
An emotional sequence saw Juliet walking the bridge in the village, bursting into tears (Picture: Lime Pictures)
‘What I’m saying is, we’re sending you home because there is no more treatment we can offer you. I’m so sorry.’
Peri, heartbroken, was adamant that there must be alternative measures they could take, such as more chemo.
Juliet, meanwhile, remained silent and tearful, processing the devastating news, as she reflected on her trip to Brighton with Peri with a heartbreaking montage depicting the couple’s special day.
Juliet was left in tears (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Juliet asked if she could go home after receiving the devastating news (Picture: Lime Pictures)
‘Is that everything?’, she asked, catching Peri and the doctors off guard.
‘Can I go home now?,’ she added as the screen faded to black, with sombre and emotional music accompanying the credits instead of the show’s signature theme.
Upcoming scenes will see Juliet and her loved ones go through their own cancer journeys as they try to process the news, all the while supporting Juliet and making memories during her final days.
Hollyoaks has been working with the charity Teenage Cancer Trust to accurately portray Juliet’s storyline and, in line with this latest develoment in the story, the show has now launched a new social media campaign titled ‘Ode To My Juliet, which invites viewers to share their own cancer stories, memories and bereavement journeys.
Niamh Blackshaw, who has played Juliet for five years, has spoken out, confirming that her character is going to die (Picture: Lime Pictures)
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Discussing the campaign, Niamh said: ‘In a way to commemorate Juliet as a character, and to do something positive, we want to come together and share stories of loved ones who may have been touched by cancer.’
Using the hashtag #OdeToMyJuliet, members of the public will be invited to share their stories on TikTok, where they can green-screen, duet and stitch the videos. Or they can share a picture, video, or even a poem on Instagram.
Hollyoaks continues Tuesday May 16 at 7pm on E4, or stream the next episode from Monday midnight on All4.
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Niamh has discussed the future, after Juliet was told the heartbreaking news that there were no further treatment options available.