beth and gilly return from thailand and are surprised to see rhys has a new girlfriend, mercedes mcqueen. the following day, rhys warns beth that gilly is planning to propose marriage to her. when gilly proposes, beth reluctantly agrees, despite continuing an affair with rhys. rhys and beth decide to run away together, but rhys realises his family need him. beth becomes even more jealous of rhys and mercedes' relationship. eventually beth breaks down in front of rhys, telling him she wants to be with him. as they kiss, they are both unaware that mercedes' sister, michaela mcqueen is watching. michaela confronts them. however, they tell her it is due to her drug habit. angered, michaela tells gilly what she saw. however, he refuses to believe her. despite this, he returns home, only to find rhys and beth in bed together. as the rest of the ashworths return home, gilly attacks rhys and informs his family of his affair. neville, suzanne, josh and hannah are disgusted. rhys and beth are then thrown out of their home, having to move into the student accommodation. beth and rhys are questioned by the police and a court date is set. realising they face prison, the couple decide to flee hollyoaks. gilly confronts them, before giving them the keys to his campervan. rhys and beth drive off. however, as they kiss, rhys unknowingly drives onto the wrong side of the road and ends up in a collision with a lorry. rhys wakes up in hospital the next day. however, he is told beth was killed in the crash.