Yahoo News Hollyoaks star confirms Cindy mental health relapse
Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring has revealed more details about the show revisiting Cindy Cunningham's bipolar disorder.
Cindy has been left traumatised after her stalking ordeal with creepy DS Armstrong – and next week we'll see just how much the experience has affected her mental wellbeing.
Shock scenes recently saw Cindy running for her life after she found herself trapped in a hotel with Armstrong, who'd tricked her into coming away to Liverpool with him.
However, as the repercussions play out over the next few weeks, it becomes clear that there's much more to Cindy's reactions than just simple anxiety.
Stephanie told Soaplife magazine: "She's terrified. After what happened in Liverpool, she doesn't feel safe at all, anywhere. She's anxious and paranoid.
"Armstrong was the one person Cindy thought would protect her. He was her knight in shining armour, but it all came as a terrible shock when he tried to kiss her and Leela Lomax texted her with a warning.
"It's bringing on a bipolar episode. Cindy starts pulling TVs apart and looking for bugs, cameras and stuff. She thinks there are things hiding in the walls and she can't sleep. It's awful for her."
There's particular concern when Cindy wakes up and thinks she sees Armstrong standing over her, but when her husband Dirk rushes to the rescue, the villain is nowhere to be seen.
Back in 2014, Cindy experienced visions of her dead ex-lover Rhys Ashworth at the height of her mental health struggles, so the big question now will be whether she's imagining things or whether Armstrong is still somehow playing tricks on her too.
Stephanie added: "After Dirk gives her some sleeping pills, Cindy falls asleep on the sofa and she wakes up, thinking Armstrong is standing over her. She screams and Dirk runs in, but there's nobody there. There's no sign of Armstrong. Dirk thinks it was a dream, but Cindy's certain he was there.
"She really thinks he's trying to kill her and that's what makes this so horrific. It scares her that he's clever and manipulative. She doesn't know what to expect next. Unfortunately for Cindy, things are going to get worse for a while."
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
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