END OF THE HAY
Will Ste Hay return to Hollyoaks and why is Kieron Richardson leaving?
HOLLYOAKS has confirmed that Kieron Richardson is leaving Hollyoaks after 13 years on the show.
But what fans want to know is why is the Ste Hay actor leaving and will he ever return to the Channel 4 soap? Here’s everything you need to know...
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Is Ste Hay returning to Hollyoaks?
Fans of the popular soap needn’t fear as Ste’s exit is definitely temporary while he juggles a new acting project alongside Hollyoaks.
It’s confirmed that he will do both jobs for a few months - but will be absent from the soap for a short while.
It’s not yet confirmed how long Kieron will be away from the soap but he should be back on screens shortly after spring 2020.
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Why is Kieron Richardson leaving Hollyoaks?
Kieron Richardson is leaving Hollyoaks after 13 years to try his hand at other projects.
The talented actor has played his character Ste Hay through a series of emotional storylines including his coming out as gay and domestic abuse plot.
He has decided to take a break from the soap for a breath of fresh air.
And fans will be able to see him up close and personal when he takes to the stage in upcoming projects.
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What was Ste Hay's exit storyline?
Viewers have watched Ste become increasingly tangled in Jonny Baxter and Stuart Summer’s racist gang over the last few months.
The controversial far-right storyline saw him forced to quit Twitter after trolls targeted his kids.
And in the hour-long special episode last week, fans were left shocked as Ste’s recent efforts to escape the group came to an explosive head in clifftop scenes and his exit storyline finally became clear.
It all kicked off when Jonny encouraged Ste to do a runner and led the vulnerable character into a waiting taxi driven by Stuart.
Things took a turn for the worse when Sami was also kidnapped and dragged into the episode’s clifftop climax on his wedding day as fascist Stuart vowed to murder the pair of them.
However, fans were shocked as Sid ran at Stuart to prevent him from pushing Ste over the edge.
Sid lost control and accidentally shoved Stuart off the cliff - leading him to a shocking death on the rocks beneath.
The troubled teenager had directed Leela and Peri to Stuart in an attempt to stop him murdering Ste - but had never meant to kill his own father.
Fans were stunned by the dramatic episode, but took to Twitter to express what a perfect exit storyline the soap has given to Ste.
One fan tweeted: “Amazing episode. Finally the racist storyline is over! Glad Sami and Ste are alive and I feel so sorry for Sid #Hollyoaks.”
Another fan said: “YASS OVER THE CLIFF AND SPLAT YA RACIST #hollyoaks#goodriddance.”
The final chapter of the far right storyline came to a close in tonight’s episode of Hollyoaks as Ste said a teary final goodbye to his family in the village.
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What is Kieron doing next?
The actor has landed a role in the stage version of Kay Mellor’s crime drama Band of Gold, which will tour the UK in 2020.
He’ll act alongside fellow soap stars Laurie Brett (EastEnders’ Jane Beale), Gaynor Faye (Emmerdale’s Megan Macey) and Shayne Ward (Coronation Street’s Aidan Connor).
The dad of two has also made clear on his personal Instagram that he’s taking part in Sleep Walk for Shelter ahead of his departure - a 10km night walk through London to support the homeless.
Kieron is one of many stars to join the charitable cause, including singer Rita Ora, Hollyoaks co-star Jorgie Porter and former United footballer Rio Ferdinand.
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