Hollyoaks star Ijaz Rana shares more on Imran's return
Note: The following article contains discussion of disordered eating.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Ijaz Rana has shared more on his character Imran Maalik's return to the village.
Imran, who has been absent from the soap since last year, is set to return next week after leaving Chester to seek treatment at an eating disorder clinic.
Speaking to Inside Soap, Rana said that Imran was worried about coming home to his overbearing family after months away.
"He was hesitant to go to the clinic at first, but now, Imran's more worried about being in an environment with all these triggers," he said of Imran's homecoming.
"So there's a risk of him losing all the progress he's made," he added of Imran's complex family dynamic.
Related: Hollyoaks reveals details on Imran Maalik's return story
When asked if Imran's family were happy for him to come home, Rana said that his on-screen mum Misbah, played by Harvey Virdi, is pleased to have her little boy back.
"Yes, we all know Misbah is one of the most overprotective people in the village," Rana said.
"She looks after Imran because he's her little boy, isn't he? But Imran has found his independence while being away."
Teasing a big change for Imran in upcoming storylines, Rana said that Imran will come to the realisation that he needs to be more independent from his family.
"He talks to Brooke in the park, where they reminisce about old times. And Brooke makes Imran realise he's better off being more independent, so he gets this idea about moving out," he shared.
Related: Hollyoaks reveals Imran's return to the village in 10 new spoiler pictures
In scenes next week, Imran is reunited with his best friend Juliet, who he's been helping through a cancer diagnosis.
Speaking of the scenes in which Imran, Juliet and Brooke will play around with Nerf toy guns, Rana said it was nice to see Niamh Blackshaw, who plays Juliet, get to have fun on set.
"It was so nice to have a scene where we could let loose, especially with Niamh — Juliet doesn't get a break," he said.
Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Beat (www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk) is a charity which raises awareness and understanding of eating disorders, and supports those affected by them. Beat now has a one-to-one secure messaging service. Its phone helpline for those aged 18 and over is 0808 801 0677, and there's also a dedicated Youthline for those under 18 – 0808 801 0711.
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