Hollyoaks aired a huge change for Rex Gallagher as Ste Hay’s psychosis storyline continues.
Ste has been in a bad way ever since the death of his husband James Nightingale, with the soap’s one-year time jump doing little to alleviate his grief.
Recent scenes have seen Ste become convinced that James is alive, with the character believing that Rex is holding him hostage.
Monday’s (November 18) episode saw matters intensify as Ste sought out Rex, who had been taken hostage by Robbie Roscoe, with Tuesday’s (November 19) instalment beginning as a manic Ste asked Freddie for help.
Such was his panic, Ste rejected a call from his son Lucas, who had recently discovered that his ex-boyfriend Dillon was the father of his sister’s child. Rex, meanwhile, explained himself to Robbie, who was subsequently advised by Freddie to not harm Rex.
A weary Rex eventually regrouped with a confused Ste, maliciously whispering in his ear that he had been lying the entire time and that James was indeed deceased. After accompanying him inside, Ste’s mood turned sour and he revealed that he was done with Rex.
Ste was still convinced that Rex had held James hostage, with Lucas and Peri – amongst other villagers – worriedly looking on as Ste became violent. After some time, the police arrived at the scene, though Lucas urged an officer to let him enter the room.
A tearful Lucas pleaded with his father to return home safely, calming him down in order to escort him outside. An emotional Ste was eventually escorted away by the police, with Lucas and Peri saying it was for his own good.
Rex, who had just been disowned by his sister Grace, made a phone call as he seemed to relapse into his criminal ways, teasing that he had “found something” that the mystery caller had been “looking for”…
