Hollyoaks' Newt to tackle schizophrenia storyline

There’s further heartache in store for Hollyoaks’ Osborne family in August when resident teen, Newt (played by Nico Mirallegro), is diagnosed with schizophrenia.

This episode will transmit on 7 August on Channel 4 at 6.30 pm.

Over the past few weeks Newt’s friendship with Eli (Marc Silcock) has intensified and viewers have recently discovered that ‘Eli’ isn’t real. And whilst Newt’s fixation with his imaginary friend continues, his mental health has deteriorated. But it’s when Newt’s foster dad, Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna), ‘dies’ that Newt goes into meltdown.

Unbeknown to Newt, Jack has faked his own death for an insurance scam. When the troubled teen hears Jack’s voice down the phone, he is convinced Jack is trying to reach him from the grave. As Newt begins to think he must have killed Jack in some way, he is eventually admitted to hospital, where his schizophrenia is diagnosed and treated.

Nico Mirallegro comments: “Newt is distraught when he hears Jack’s voice on the phone. He convinces himself he must have killed his foster dad in someway and is now hearing voices from the grave! When Newt is then told that Eli is a figment of his imagination he gets really confused as to what is real and what’s not, the irony being Eli isn’t real but Jack is.”

Nico continues: “It’s been amazing to have been involved in such a great storyline and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of playing a character with schizophrenia. I hope the viewers enjoy it too.”

Paul Corry, Director of Public Affairs at mental health charity RETHINK comments: “It’s great that Hollyoaks is addressing the experience of schizophrenia. 1 in 100 young people will go through the frightening experience of psychosis just like Newt – that’s about 10 in the average secondary school, it could be one of your mates. So it’s a good chance to ask yourself, how would you react if someone you care about got ill like Newt?”

“You might find mental illness hard to talk about. You might think it makes people violent and that they’ll never get better - but that usually isn’t true. Schizophrenia has symptoms that can be confusing and scary, but people affected are often sensitive and creative just like Newt. He isn’t just some weirdo, he’s someone who is unwell. With decent help and support he can get better and have a normal life.”

If you want to get information or advice about mental illness call Rethink, the leading mental health membership charity on 0845 456 0455 or visit rethink.org.