Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) is keen to reunite with Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey) in Hollyoaks next week – but not without son Lucas’ (Oscar Curtis) blessing.
Rex, as viewers know, targeted and groomed Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) into a world of exploitation earlier this year while working with sister Grace Black (Tamara Wall) to traffic the teens of the village.
He subsequently had a change of heart and turned himself in to the police after boyfriend Ste uncovered what he did to son Lucas’ boyfriend Dillon, branding his partner a ‘monster’.
After some persuasion from Donny Clark (Louis Emerick), Rex decides to inform on sisters Grace and Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) and next week, he’s introduced to Froggy (John Middleton), shocked to realise that he’s his granddad.
And soon after, Rex is released from prison.
Knowing he’ll be public enemy number one if spotted, he hides in the shadows upon his return to the village. Ste, meanwhile, attempts to reach out to Lucas, who brushes him off, and later he’s left in shock when Rex approaches him.
Despite what Rex did to Dillon – who is still very much struggling in the wake of his exploitation ordeal – it seems Ste is willing to give him another chance, but only if Lucas is receptive, reiterating that they will need to get his son’s blessing.
While Ste contemplates how exactly to get Lucas on side, Rex arrives at Grace’s flat, much to the horror of Clare, who is in an unforgiving mood. Grace, however, is determined to turn over a new leaf and, unwilling to lose another brother, she pleads with Clare to leave Rex unharmed.
Later, Ste finds Rex outside The Dog and, with Lucas out for the evening, he invites him over for tea, with the former flames spending the night together.
As is always the case in this village, it doesn’t take long for word to spread about Rex.
When he pays a visit to The Hutch, the whole village turns against him, understandably refusing to forgive his role in the exploitation of the teens.
The question is: will Ste’s reunion with Rex prove controversial? How will Lucas react? Not to mention the rest of the village?
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
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