James Nightingale has returned to Hollyoaks after faking his own death but where has he been and will his grieving husband Ste Hay accept him back into his life?
Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
09:00, 07 Jan 2026
Kieron Richardson and Gregory Finnegan have broken their silence on Ste Hay and James Nightingale's reunion in Hollyoaks.
The pair have spoken of the dramatic return that fans of the Channel 4 soap have been waiting for since James got killed off in September 2024.
While the audience have known that James was alive since Hollyoaks 30th Anniversary episodes in October, Ste has been unaware.
Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) also knows that James is alive but was bribed to keep silent.
During Wednesday's (January 6) episode, Ste thought he was experiencing hallucinations when he saw his husband, who he thought had died in a car explosion.
However, James explained why he had instead fled the village, believing that Ste was in love with Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey).
Discussing the shock return, Kieron said: "Talk about timing for James’ return. It’s New Year, which normally means fresh starts but for these two we have to go back.
"Ste has to get over the shock of James returning initially but then there is also everything that has happened during him not being there to unpack.
"He has been raising his grandchild, dealing with abuse from Lucas and complex relationships, while grieving.
"It’s been great to work with Greg who is so great and giving as an actor that it’s felt special again."
Gregory added: "The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally upon us.
"James and Ste, two characters who have been circling each other for a decade, are about to come face once more.
"They’ve loved, they’ve hated, they’ve had joy and they’ve had plenty of sadness… so what does the future hold for them now that James is back on the scene?
"I loved working on these scenes, back working with Kieron and my Hollyoaks family. I can’t wait for the fans to see what happens."
In upcoming scenes, an overwhelmed Ste struggles to take it all in as the man he mourned, the man he loved, has returned after faking his own death.
With everything he ever wanted suddenly within reach, can he forgive the husband who let him grieve?
Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am