'Hollyoaks' Newt sees his alter ego Eli return when he stops taking his medication.

The schizophrenic teen - played by Nico Mirallegro - struggles to keep his life normal when he halts his schizophrenia treatment in a bid to be happier and is traumatised when his invisible pal makes a return.

Nico revealed: "He thought the medication was affecting his happiness and felt he'd be better without it. In fact the reverse is true. He's been seeing shadows and things that aren't there - like writing which says 'U r not alone.'

"Eli comes back when Newt is at his lowest - and he'll be around for a while."

Newt reveals he has stopped taking his pills when questioned by police after he is found lying next to the unconscious body of school bully Gaz (Joel Goonan).

Nico explained: "The attack happens while Newt, Lauren, Anita and Ricky are staying at a remote cottage and they're all suspects to the police. Every one of them has a motive for wanting to harm Gaz.

"The police questioning goes badly. He ends up admitting he's stopped taking his medication for his schizophrenia."