Rape scandal to rock Hollyoaks

A rape scandal is to rock 'Hollyoaks' when Jacqui McQueen accuses Gilly Roach of assaulting her.

The feisty barmaid - played by actress Claire Cooper - will shock the entire village when she suggests the unlucky-in-love widower has raped her, forcing boyfriend Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss) to make a tough decision between his girlfriend and his best mate.

However, while Jacqui is quick to accuse Gilly (Anthony Quinlan) of the crime, their night of passion actually came about after she found out womaniser Rhys had been having a saucy affair with his boss Cheryl Brady (Bronagh Waugh).

Seeking comfort in the arms of her cheating boyfriend's best friend, Jacqui quickly finds one thing leads to another and the pair spend the night together.

A 'Hollyoaks' source told Inside Soap magazine: "Jacqui loves Rhys, so she's really hurt when she finds out about his infidelity. Then she runs into Gilly, who's also got relationship problems. The drink starts to flow, and one thing just leads to another.

"Gilly's consumed with guilt after sleeping with his best friend's girlfriend. When Gilly confesses, Rhys is both furious and hurt, and lashes out violently. Once he's fronted Gilly, he demands an explanation from Jacqui - and is stunned when she tells him that she was actually raped. It's absolutely devastating."

However, matters are made even worse when Gilly - who lost his beloved wife Steph (Carley Stenson) in the Il Gnosh fire last year - confronts Jacqui in the street, leaving villagers wondering whether or not he did really commit the rape.