'Hollyoaks' Malachy Fisher worries his HIV condition has taken a turn for the worse.

The Irish builder - played by Glen Wallace - is struck down by flu-like symptoms but is too scared to visit his doctor in case he is given bad news.

Jennifer Metcalfe - who plays Malachy's wife Mercedes - revealed: "Malachy starts to feel really unwell - achy, shivery and feverish like he's got a bad case of flu. He pretends he's okay but he's obviously not.

"Mercedes knows something is wrong and demands he sees a doctor. She's worried his immune system is too weak to fight off the illness.

"He says he goes to the doctor but he's too scared of getting bad news. Instead he tells Mercedes he's been given the all-clear."

Mercedes faces further woe when Malachy's ex-girlfriend Cheryl, played by Bronagh Waugh, arrives in Hollyoaks village.

Jennifer added: "Mercedes is jealous. She's a McQueen isn't she? But it's not just Mercedes, Cheryl's really irritating and has this habit of rubbing everyone up the wrong way. Plus her timing is awful given Mercedes is so worried about Malachy's health."