Hollyoaks will explore a stillbirth storyline next month as Mercedes McQueen's unborn baby dies, Digital Spy can reveal.
Show bosses have been working with expert charities while devising the sensitive plot.
Heartbreaking scenes in early November will see heavily-pregnant Mercedes confide in her half-brother John Paul (James Sutton) about how she hasn't felt her baby move since the previous day.
When the pair go to the hospital together to seek answers, a doctor breaks the sad news that Mercedes's baby boy has died. Mercedes is then told to prepare for a short stay in hospital, where she will be induced to give birth.
The emotional story will see the McQueens pull together to support Mercedes through the devastating experience, as well as exploring how it affects her relationship with the baby's father Joe Roscoe. It will also lead to the permanent return of Nicole Barber-Lane as Mercedes's mum Myra.
Hollyoaks have teamed up with pregnancy and stillbirth awareness charity Count the Kicks while working on the storyline. The charity aims to raise awareness of the simple things that mothers can do to monitor their baby's movements before birth.
Digital Spy understands that Mercedes's storyline has been in the planning for several months. Stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands were also involved in the thorough research process.
Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes, commented: "I'm honoured to have been given this storyline to raise awareness of such an important cause. Count the Kicks is a fantastic charity, which aims to teach expectant mothers about noticing changes in their pregnancy to reduce the risk of stillbirth. And working with Sands has helped me understand how Mercedes would cope with life after her baby has died.
"Mercedes has already been through so much tragedy in her life, but the death of her son will show a much more fragile side to her character. The scripts are brilliantly written by Anna Clements and with the help of the two charities, I was able to really understand what Mercedes is going through."
Mercedes struggles to cope
© Lime Pictures
Mercedes struggles to cope
© Lime Pictures
Mercedes struggles to cope
Sands' bereavement support services manager Erica Stewart added: "We're pleased to have been approached by the researchers and writers at Hollyoaks for advice and help to ensure that this heartbreaking storyline is portrayed truthfully and sensitively.
"Stillbirth is not rare and it's a tragedy that can happen to anyone. Sadly thousands of babies die each year in the UK. In 2013, over 100 babies every week were stillborn or died soon after birth.
"For a show like Hollyoaks with a youth focus to be covering this devastating experience is a brilliant way of raising awareness of the issues surrounding baby death among a younger audience who may have not otherwise come across them."
Hollyoaks viewers will see the storyline begin on Tuesday, November 3 at 6.30pm on Channel 4.
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