May 28th 2024.
Leela's storyline in Hollyoaks has been a deeply personal one for actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter. The heartbreaking loss of her own baby daughter, Penny-Leigh Barber, who was stillborn in December 2018 at 29 weeks and three days, inspired the soap's creators to work with Kirsty on a storyline that would shed light on the reality of baby loss.
The latest episode, which aired on Tuesday and is now available to view on Channel 4's streaming platform, was a touching tribute to Penny-Leigh. It will also air on E4 on Wednesday May 29 at 7pm. In the episode, Leela, played by Kirsty, receives the devastating news that her unborn baby has passed away. This comes just hours after she and her husband Joel Dexter had tied the knot and were eagerly looking forward to their future as a family.
The couple is left heartbroken and in tears as the obstetrician breaks the news to them. Doctors then induce labor and the emotional scenes that follow are portrayed beautifully by Kirsty and her co-star Rory. In a truly heartbreaking moment, Leela gives birth to her stillborn baby boy, whom they have named Noah. The midwife wraps him in a fire engine blanket and hands him to the grieving parents, who are overwhelmed with sorrow.
As they try to come to terms with their loss, the midwife suggests that Leela go to the bathroom to check her bleeding. In this moment, Joel takes the opportunity to properly meet his son and holds him close, calling him his "wee boy". The couple shares a special moment with their angel baby, naming him Noah.
The episode also sees Joel struggling to hold back tears as he serenades Noah with a song he had written for Leela on their wedding day. Both Leela and Joel are broken by the loss of their son and share a poignant moment together as they listen to the song and hold Noah one last time.
The camera then pans away from the grieving family to a shot of the hospital interior, where other excited parents are seen entering the maternity ward. The final shot is of Dee Valley hospital itself, where a ribbon can be seen hanging on a tree. This ribbon, as Cleo McQueen had explained in the previous episode, is a symbol used for Baby Loss Awareness week and commemorates babies who have passed away before, during, or after birth.
The episode was dedicated to the memory of Penny-Leigh, and Kirsty hopes that by sharing her own experience, she can raise awareness and support for others who have gone through a similar loss. In an interview with OK! Magazine, she opened up about her journey and the constant pain of losing her daughter. She also shared how writing has helped her cope with the grief and come to terms with her loss.
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4's streaming platform and at 7pm on E4. We would love to hear your thoughts on this emotional episode, so please join the community by leaving a comment below. And for all the latest updates on your favorite soaps and TV shows, be sure to check out our homepage.
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