EXCLUSIVE: Hollyoaks’ Ruby O’Donnell on Peri Lomax’s homelessness

Viewers haven't seen much of Peri Lomax in the village but she's set to return the Oaks next week.After she was kicked out of her family home by her mum Leela, Peri has been pretty MIA. In upcoming scenes we'll finally discover that the youngest has been living homeless for the past couple of months.Next week, Peri will return to her family home alongside her friend Harley but things aren't going to be easy. Leela struggles to get through to her daughter with Harley around every minute and when she tries to find out more about Peri's friend she's caught rummaging through her stuff – how will she explain herself?

We've seen Darcy make herself pretty comfortable with the Osborne family but in upcoming scenes it might FINALLY be over for her.Esther and Nancy, who are not fond of Jack's girlfriend, plan to set Darcy up by asking Adam to seduce her while they film it. Adam turns up with wine but ends up having to remove his shirt after spilling wine on it – will Darcy be tempted to cheat?

Jack's later confused when Esther reveals that Darcy booked their wedding venue waaaaaay before he even proposed to her.Is the game up for Darcy?Later on in the week, Jack is in a great mood following his hospital appointment and later reveals that he is healthy enough for a bypass.The big question is, how Darcy react to the news…

Sienna Blake's still being terrorised by her stalker and her week doesn't start off well when she receives a teddy bear with a chilling voice messages that say: "I know you are lying about your cancer."Eek!Hell-bent on the idea that Misbah is behind the teddy bear, she lets herself into the Maaliks house and terrifies her by smashing a cup.After demanding answers from Misbah, she denies being behind the teddy bear and tries to encourage Sienna to tell Joel the truth. Her nightmare isn't over as she soon gets an email with a countdown clock. Later on a younger guy in his twenties is watching Sienna from afar – who is he?

After his brother Prince McQueen married Lily Drinkwell, Hunter has been grieving for ex-girlfriend (and former teacher) Neeta Kaur. He's been confiding in Yasmine Maalik believing that his ex-girlfriend is still living on inside her because of the heart transplant.However, when he discovers the truth he's furious with Yas, even after she apologises and reveals she was trying to help him with his panic attacks.Later on the troubled teen reveals that he isn't having panic attacks however Yas is quick to reassure him that she's there for him, before encouraging him to see someone about grief.

He's set to be caught out with his two-timing ways but next week it looks like Goldie may forgive him.After he continues to try and make it up to Goldie and Courtney, they refuse to forgive and forget. Even after he buys Goldie a drink at The Bean she pours it over his shoes.However, she has a change of heart when she thinks he's got her a present (that he actually bought for Iona) and falls in love with it. Later, Courtney finds Goldie and Jesse looking pretty cosy in The Dog. Is love on the horizon for Goldie and Jesse?

Adam's already keep his dodgy family business from his partner Maxine but next week's she's set to catch him 'doing a deal' with a client. Thinking quick on his feet he lies to Maxine but will she believe him?After being persuaded to do another job – a robbery – he gets a text off DS Roxy who explains his dad Glenn needs to do the job for them to catch him.As their conversation continues she grabs hold of Adam's hand – is she getting feelings for him? And will he cheat on poor Maxine?

Alfie is still struggling to block out the voices he keeps hearing and continues to get more and more frustrated.He begins to isolate himself after Tom asks him to hang out but later reconsiders and they watch a space conference together. Things take a turn for the worse when Alfie has his mind set on an asteroid heading straight to the village…

She feels very fragile, unloved and neglected. She's angry at Leela for comparing her to her Dad and she feels deeply ashamed of pretending to still be pregnant with Prince McQueens baby. She thinks that everyone hates her because of what she has done. Everyone has turned their back on Peri and slammed the door in her face. She's scared, Isolated and alone.

How easy it is to become homeless when you are on a downward spiral and you feel like nobody wants you. Life is hard on the streets and Peri has to toughen up quickly to survive.

Peri genuinely believes that she is unloved, unwanted and has no friends. She has always felt this way since she found out that Leela was actually her Mum and not her Sister. Since Leela has had Daniel Peri feels even more neglected than ever. Peri did try to go home and spotted Leela and Louis kissing and looking happy which just reinforced her feelings that she was unloved.

I was shocked at first and then really pleased that Hollyoaks had trusted me with such an important and relevant storyline. It has been one of the hardest things I have had to film but also the most rewarding.

That this is real life for some people. I got to go home to a warm bed and hot food after a day on the streets but for so many people those options aren't available. I also came to understand how easy it is to become homeless and begin the downward spiral and then how hard it is to get off the streets once you are there.

Yes, we visited the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool that helps homeless people. We got to speak to some of the people working there and also some of the people using the facility. It was a very humbling experience and one I will never forget. It really made me want to do the storyline justice.

Please please explore all options before closing the door behind you. Get in touch with one of the charities that can help too such as Centrepoint. There is lots of help out there if you are brave enough to reach out.