Hollyoaks confirms "new era" for Ste amid Leah's shock return

 "Leah comes back completely different!"

Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson has teased big things coming for his character Ste Hay, as he prepares to welcome his daughter Leah Barnes back into the village. The character of Leah exited back in September 2024, leaving the village behind to attend university in America.

While Leah was previously played by Ela-May Demircan for 13 years, the role has now been recast, with Charlotte Riley joining the cast. Charlotte's previous credits include an appearance in Coronation Street last year, where she portrayed young Lou Michaelis in a flashback episode.

Leah is also set to return alongside her new boyfriend, Misbah Maalik's son Imran, with Ijaz Rana reprising the role.

In a chat with Inside Soap, Kieron revealed how Leah's return will impact Ste. "Leah comes back completely different to how she left – no pun intended!" he joked.

This time round, she might be able to support Ste more than Ste can support her. Hopefully, Ste makes up with Lucas, and we can have a new era for our family."

Leah's return won't be the only drama that Ste has to deal with either, as next week, he cheats on his fiancé Rex Gallagher when he kisses his ex-husband James Nightingale.

Ste is arrested and waiting for his solicitor – then, in walks James Nightingale!" Kieron revealed. "Once James finds out the whole situation with Rex, he uses that to manipulate Ste into the relationship. He gets under Ste’s skin…"

Kieron also teased that the kiss could affect Ste's wedding to Rex, which will be the character's fifth marriage.

That’s now another secret that Ste has. It’s like a secret flips from one to another out of Ste and Rex," Kieron reasoned.

"Leading up to a wedding, it’s not great. I don’t think there’s ever been any wedding in Hollyoaks which has gone well, but we’ll see!"