James Nightingale and Ste Hay are planning to leave Hollyoaks together as suspicions mount over Rex Gallagher's murder, according to recent episodes. Rex was shot dead earlier this month by an unknown assailant while working at the garage late at night. At the time of his death, Rex had just rekindled his romance with Ste, who had struggled with his husband's experimentation with feminine clothing.
James returns from the dead
The news of Rex's death staggered Ste, but the shocks continued when James—thought by much of the village to be dead—staged another return. The timing of James' comeback has left several people suspicious, notably Leela Dexter, who has voiced her feelings about James on multiple occasions. Sparks quickly fly between James and Ste, further fueling Leela's suspicions that the couple may have been involved in Rex's death.
Leela's suspicions grow
Leela's daughter Leah Barnes, played by Charlotte Alex Riley, supports James and Ste's rekindled romance, but how Leela will react remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Ste and James waste little time moving on, preparing to go away together. Before their potential departure, James decides to surprise Ste with a trip to the graveyard—specifically, to visit the 'James Nightingale' headstone as they plan to bury the past for good.
As the week concludes, the grief finally hits Ste. Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4's streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
