Hollyoaks announces huge new autumn storyline as Ste Hay goes missing

 Could something spooky be going on?

Hollyoaks has announced a huge new autumn storyline, which will see Ste Hay go missing under mysterious circumstances. The recent widower reluctantly agrees to go on a spa day with Mercedes McQueen and Leela Lomax, but something causes him to lose his way...

In next week's scenes, Ste continues to spiral about the murder of Rex Gallagher, and relapses on alcohol before confronting James Nightingale. Mercedes invites Ste and Leela to the spa for a break - unaware that she's being set up by Gemma Johnson.

In a special episode airing on 2 September, Ste forces the group to pull over at a shopping centre under the guise of needing the toilet. However, his shifty behaviour suggests that he may have an ulterior motive for ditching them.

As he wanders through unfamiliar surroundings, Ste crosses paths with a number of strange characters, and has a fleeting interaction with Phoenix Gulzar Brown. A disoriented Ste struggles to find his way out, and vanishes without a trace.

Meanwhile, Leela and Mercedes gossip in the parked car, not realising that they are being watched by Gemma's cronies. They panic when Ste fails to return, and head back to the village to find answers.

Knowing Ste is in a vulnerable state, the villagers all come together to help, while also pointing the finger at each other. After their recent clash, James is at the top of the list of potential suspects, alongside recently released convict Sienna Blake.

The dramatic storyline will continue throughout the autumn, before coming to a head in early October. The pivotal scenes will take place in Chester city centre, so could that be where Ste ended up?

I loved filming Ste vanishing in Runcorn Shopping City with real-life shoppers, over 70 supporting artists and an amazing crew," said Kieron Richardson. "People will see how busy the shopping centre was on the day, it really is like searching for a needle in a Ste Hay-stack."

"It was predominantly all shot in one take. It felt very different and quite unexpected, which is quite apt for this missing story. Just when you think you know what is going on, expect more of the unexpected," he added.