Bel, Freddie and Hector verge on breaking the biggest corruption expose ever - a house of cards stretching across London's most influential men - but things get complicated when one of them becomes the centre of a tabloid sex scandal. As they battle against high-level cover-up, Freddie's quest for a controversial contributor takes him right into the lion's den.

Bel is shaken by news of a source's murder and tries to put a stop to the team's pursuit of organised criminal Cilenti. However, the story is more tempting than ever when Freddie and Hector discover the depths that the corruption has reached, leading to chaos at the club. Is Bel right? Is Freddie charging towards a loaded gun?

Freddie and Bel's bond deepens as they make startling discoveries about the extent of Soho club-owner Cilenti's influence. Yet when a contact's life is endangered, Bel fears they've gone too far. Hector confronts old demons with Laurie - will he upset his team and protect his best friend? Lix and Randall receive uplifting news.

It is Christmas at Lime Grove and a time for much soul-searching. Kiki has gone missing and Hector's self-destructive behaviour spirals as Bel and Freddie search for the truth about what happened to her. Meanwhile, Randall tells Lix the real reason for his return but is she willing to dredge up a painful past?

Hector's drunken late nights at El Paradis catch up with him when he is arrested on suspicion of beating up Kiki. Bel has a fight on her hands to clear Hector's name and hide his disappearance from Randall. However Freddie complicates matters further when he decides to hold a controversial interview with a fascist on the same day as a visit from members of the board.

With Freddie gone, Bel struggles to keep The Hour afloat as the new Head of News arrives.