Horrifying tragedy at Hollyoaks: Hollyoaks legend explodes in car as three main characters are confirmed dead

The end of an era was marked in a truly explosive fashion as Hollyoaks finished out stunt week – and its last ever episode set in the present day – with casualties aplenty.

The Channel 4 soap is on the cusp of a historic time-jump, taking the action of the Chester village and its respective residents one year into the future from next week.

The decision to do such a thing was made after the long-running serial drama had its weekly episodic offerings cut from five to three, in addition to a significant number of cast members axed, with bosses believing a flash-forward to be the best way to herald in the new era.

As the credits rolled on Wednesday’s episode, devastation and chaos was everywhere, leaving viewers with many unanswered questions.

The week in question has been marketed as a big stunt week, with various storylines coming together and lives on the line as a result.

The big storyline at the centre of it all was that Blue storyline, with gangster Blue – who was revealed last month to be none other than hapless postman Dave Williams – taking his revenge on Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who he blamed for daughter Lizzie’s death.

Dave stabbed Warren, with Warren retaliating by shooting Dave, who appeared to be dead. Afterwards, Warren returned to say his farewells to Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), bidding her farewell as he escaped with his life still intact.

Dave, meanwhile, regained consciousness – but he wasn’t out of the woods just yet. Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham) – who crossed paths with Dave previously during the contentious Hannah Ashworth story – appeared out of nowhere and shot the villain numerous times.

He had found the note left by Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring), which confirmed that Dave was Blue.

Robbie, who hasn’t been seen in weeks, appears to be sticking around for Hollyoaks’ new era. But is this the beginning of yet another gangster storyline? Is Robbie the next character to experience an out of the Blue (sorry not sorry) dark era? Or is this simply the closing of the book that is Blue?

You’ll have to wait and see.

Back in the village, Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) reeled in the aftermath of her motorcycle accident, which saw her lose control of the vehicle and smash through the entrance to the McQueen household.

The scenes in question proved to be the strongest of the entire week, with Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall) sharing a poignant moment with Frankie (Isabelle Smith) while trapped under the motorbike, telling her daughter that she believes her.

Frankie, as viewers know, was sexually abused by twin brother JJ (Ryan Mulvey).

Helmed by incredible performances from stars Isabelle and Suzanne, the scene proved heartbreaking as character Suzanne died in her daughter’s arms.

JJ broke down at the hospital when he learned of his mum’s death, with Frankie and Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) understandably hesitant to comfort him, with Nancy (Jessica Fox) stepping in to do so. The scene featured a rare appearance from fan-favourite Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan), who is sadly set to exit.

Jack (Jimmy McKenna), meanwhile, remains in a critical condition, with Darren pleading with the patriarch to pull through.

Across the hall, Cleo bravely told Leela and Joel Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Rory Douglas-Speed) that Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) was abusing her, which prompted a fight between Joel and Abe.

The pair were interrupted, however, when they learned that Marie (Rita Simons) was in a bad way. Abe subsequently returned to Cleo’s room to tell her that his mum died – and thus he’s going to make her wish that she was too.

James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), meanwhile, was full of the joys of life when he learned that – despite what he previously thought – he doesn’t actually have a brain tumour.

He and Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) reunited in what was yet another highlight of the week, with the couple optimistic for what the future had in store for them.

Unfortunately, however, their happiness was short-lived as their vehicle went up in smoke – with the two characters still inside. A final present from Blue, who had put bombs under the cars of the people who tried to help Warren escape.