Hollyoaks ought to be "ashamed" of a controversial trans storyline for a 12-year-old character, a Tory MP has stated.

Nick Fletcher warned youngsters are being influenced by adults which is resulting in an explosion in referrals to gender clinics.

He known as for communications watchdog Ofcom to research the plot by the Channel 4 cleaning soap.

The Don Valley MP stated: "In 1994 the London Gender Clinic for Children saw 12 children. 30 years on it has been seeing thousands. We ask why? This is why.

"Adults, all types of organisations, are planting in youngsters's minds, an thought with no foundation in science or proof, which if pursued will in all probability put these youngsters on a pathway to irreversible hurt and a lifetime of medical issues, threat, and ache.

"The Hollyoaks team should be ashamed and Ofcom should investigate."

The storyline sees 12-year-old Rose Lomax, performed by Ava Webster, query her gender identification in a cleaning soap first.

In an episode earlier this week, she opened as much as trans character Kitty Draper, performed by Iz Hesketh.

An emotional Rose stated: “I don’t know what the first step is. I’m a boy but my body’s all wrong. How am I supposed to tell my parents that?”

Kitty replied: "I'll help you in whatever way I can. But you need to know that your life is in your hands.

"So, cease bunking off college. Then, and solely then, you can begin eager about how and when you'll be able to inform your mum.

"You can’t move on with your life until you’ve told the people you love who you truly are. That is if you're sure?"

Rose insisted that she is "so sure".

Kitty added: “Well then when you’ve taken step one, you can begin truly being who you really are. It’s the most effective feeling on the earth."

Hollyoaks posted the clip on social media platform X and said it was "an necessary dialog to have".

Channel 4 was contacted for remark.