Hollyoaks finally clears up major Ste and James mystery in wedding plot

Hollyoaks has finally cleared up a major mystery for Ste Hay and James Nightingale in the soap’s ongoing wedding plot.

Ste and James were married back in 2023, and in 2024, James was presumed dead after being involved in a car explosion in the last episode before the show’s time jump.

Since then, Ste has found love again with Rex Gallagher and the couple is now engaged to be married.

However, since Ste discovered that James was still alive earlier this year, viewers have questioned whether Ste is technically still married to James.

In today’s episode, the soap cleared up the confusion, with Ste explaining that he didn’t need a divorce following a heated phone call with James.

Speaking to Rex, Ste said: “Turns out I don’t even need a divorce. Because in the eyes of the law, James is dead. But guess what? If I marry you, knowing that he’s alive, he says I’d get done for being a bigamist.”

Elsewhere, Ste offered to move the wedding forward for Diane’s sake, and Ro tried to help Rex on his gender expression journey.

Viewers know that Rex, who has been wearing women’s clothing in secret, is terrified of Ste finding out, with only his grandad Froggy Black and co-worker Ro aware of the situation.

When Diane and Tony arrived home, they broke the news to Dom that Diane’s prognosis remains the same, telling him that her treatment options are limited.

At The Dog, Ste found Diane and Tony, who confirmed what the doctors had told them, and Ste told them that he was bringing the wedding forward.

“I want the kids as ushers and bridesmaids,” he said, before asking Tony to be his best man and Diane to be his maid of honour.

“I’m going to pack as much as I can into every minute of every day, starting from today. So, yeah, I would be honoured to celebrate with you and Rex,” said Diane.

After Ro suggested a Drag night to Rex, saying he could explore his identity, Ste interrupted, and Rex covered it up, saying it was a stag do suggestion.