After 12 unforgettable years in Hollyoaks, fans have been left devastated as Peri Lomax was tragically killed off in Tuesday night’s episode, marking the end of an era for the Channel 4 soap.
In a harrowing and emotional sequence, Peri lost her life after devastation rocked the village, and a ship chimney came crashing to the ground. In a moment of pure selflessness, Peri pushed Tom Cunningham out of harm’s way, only to be struck herself.
Still conscious in the aftermath, Peri shared emotional final moments with Tom and later her mother, Leela Lomax. The scenes, gut-wrenching and raw, have sent shockwaves through the fanbase, many of whom took to social media to mourn the loss of a character who’s been part of the show since 2013.
‘Just caught up with #hollyoaks and it’s emotional watching the end scene seeing Ste, Leela and Tom saying goodbye to Peri. Can’t believe that they have killed off Peri, now she can be reunited with Juliet.’
‘RIP Peri Lomax! #Hollyoaks’
‘That was so sad. Peri was never going to get her happy ending with Tom. #Hollyoaks’
Portrayed by Ruby O’Donnell, Peri Lomax first arrived in Hollyoaks in October 2013 as part of the Lomax family. Over the years, she became one of the show’s most recognisable and enduring characters, involved in numerous intense and heartbreaking storylines.
From discovering her true parentage, that her ‘sister’ Leela was actually her biological mother, to coping with the fallout of family secrets and betrayal, Peri’s journey was rarely easy. One of her most harrowing storylines saw her diagnosed with a brain tumour after a fall in the village, an event that deeply affected fans.
Peri also survived a traumatic experience with her abusive ex-boyfriend, Abe Fielding, who raped her while she was unconscious. Despite such tragedies, she always fought to reclaim her strength, a resilience that made her character so loved by viewers.
Reunited with Juliet
Perhaps no storyline touched fans more than Peri’s relationship with Juliet Nightingale. The pair shared a beautiful, complicated romance that ended in tragedy when Juliet died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May 2023.
Juliet’s final weeks were spent reconnecting with Peri, and their final scenes together left a mark on Hollyoaks history. With Peri now gone, many fans are finding a bittersweet solace in the thought of the two being reunited.
This sentiment has echoed widely across social media, as longtime fans reflect on the bond the two characters shared.
Ruby O’Donnell’s future: Could EastEnders be next?
With Ruby O’Donnell now officially departed from Hollyoaks, fans are already speculating on what the talented actress might do next, and many are hoping to see her on their screens again very soon.
Some viewers have even suggested that Ruby could make the jump to EastEnders, stepping into the role of a recast Louise Mitchell.
‘A few people I know are saying that now Peri has been killed off in Hollyoaks, the Actress Ruby O’Donnell should go into #EastEnders as a recast Louise Mitchell. I don’t know…’ posted one fan on X.
While nothing has been confirmed, Ruby’s acclaimed performance as Peri, which won her the Best Young Performance award at the 2016 British Soap Awards, proves that she has the range, emotional depth, and popularity to thrive in any major soap.
Saying goodbye to Peri Lomax
Peri’s death marks the end of a major chapter in Hollyoaks. As the biological daughter of Leela Lomax and Cameron Campbell, and half-sister to Daniel Lomax and Clara Dexter, Peri’s roots were deeply embedded in the village. She grew up before viewers’ eyes, facing pain, love, betrayal, and loss, and always finding her way back to hope, even in the darkest times.
As the credits rolled on Tuesday’s episode, fans across the country were united in their grief and gratitude for the character who had become part of their lives for over a decade. Now, fans will eagerly await to see what role Rosie tackles next.
