Hollyoaks confirms details of Diane's devastating final scenes next week

 Tony and Diane share a dance.

Hollyoaks has confirmed the details of Diane Hutchinson's devastating final scenes, which are set to air next week as Alex Fletcher prepares to bow out of the Channel 4 soap after 16 years in the role.

It was announced in February that the actor had decided to end her stint on the soap, with the exit storyline for the much-loved character seeing her diagnosed with terminal stage-four ovarian cancer.

After being given mere months to live, Diane has since been told that her time is even more limited that initially expected, and the soap has now confirmed that she will make her final appearance next week.

As Diane's final week begins, she confides in husband Tony, telling him that she fears Ro is bottling up his emotions again. At Ste and Rex's pre-wedding dinner at The Dog, Nancy Osborne exchanges some stolen glances with her struggling friend.

Elsewhere, trouble is looming as Ro attempts to drown his sorrows at The Hutch, with the following day seeing the wedding of Ste Hay and Rex Gallagher take place. As the guests try to keep spirits high, Tony whisks Diane up for an emotional dance to their favourite song.

In Diane's final episode, which airs on Wednesday 13 May, Diane records nursery rhymes for her daughter Eva. Knowing she is approaching the end of her life, she reflects on the happy memories of her time in the village.

Tony praises Ro for being brave, and the family decide to bring food to Diane as she rests upstairs. Meanwhile, the Osbornes and Keanes start feuding again, so Leela decides to tear a strip off Beth.

Tony and the children subsequently bring the party to Diane while attempting to do their best to cheer her up. Tony is worried that Diane is cold and uncomfortable, but she assures him that she is fine.

When Tony puts Diane to bed, she thanks him for their dance today, and Diane asks Tony to leave the door open. As Diane listens to Tony and her teenagers singing a nursery rhyme to Eva to get her to sleep, she passes away peacefully.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.