Hollyoaks star Gregory Finnegan has teased a major 'super ambitious' event as the mystery surrounding Ste Hay's disappearance takes a dramatic turn. The James Nightingale actor has promised viewers there are plenty of twists and turns still to come as his character finds himself caught up in the fallout from Ste mysteriously vanishing.
Big event to cap off storyline
Speaking to Metro at the Inside Soap Awards, Gregory revealed that the storyline is building towards a major event, and it sounds like Hollyoaks is pulling out all the stops for it. When asked what he could reveal about Ste's disappearance and whether viewers should expect plenty more surprises, Gregory said: 'Many. I think it's been done brilliantly. There's loads of twists and turns. I can't say too much, but there's a big event that's going to happen to cap it all off. It's super ambitious. They're really pushing the boat out.'
James is set to come under suspicion following Ste's disappearance, despite the character only recently making a remarkable return to the village himself. Viewers had previously believed James was dead, making Gregory's comeback a huge surprise.
Returning to the role
While fans were thrilled to see him back on screen, the actor admitted that he hadn't fully appreciated just how strongly viewers had reacted to James being killed off. He told us: 'I wasn't terribly aware of it, to be honest, but the fact people got in touch to say they wanted him back, and people tagged me in things, felt nice, but you do just have to move on. I didn't expect it.'
'It's been a really wonderful surprise, I didn't think I'd be here talking to you, it's really lovely.' After spending a decade working on Hollyoaks before his break, Gregory has found stepping back into James' shoes a refreshing experience. Explaining how it feels to be back on set, he said: 'I am loving it. Just having the time to step away from something and the everyday grind of getting up in the morning and doing it for a decade, having a little break has been invigorating. I've come back and really enjoying filming.'
Vulnerable side and sympathy hopes
But James certainly hasn't had the easiest time since his unexpected return. With Ste now missing and suspicion set to fall in his direction, viewers will see a more vulnerable side to the usually self-assured character as the pressure begins to mount. Gregory is hoping that could finally result in viewers feeling some sympathy for James after the reception he has received since coming back. He joked: 'A little bit. Everybody's been so horrible to him since he came back. They're constantly slagging him. I'm hoping the sympathy is building to a point where it's a tide of emotion towards James and his innocence.'
Away from the drama in the village, Gregory also revealed that he has changed his approach to glitzy showbiz events such as the Inside Soap Awards. While he previously found red carpets nerve-wracking and would make a swift exit, he is now determined to embrace the experience. He explained: 'I used to be like that! I'd sneak in, sneak out, but I'm trying to come to a place in my life where I need to embrace it, enjoy it.'
'When I was up for an NTA, I think I stopped for one photo. I found the whole thing nerve-wracking. It's quite nice to not feel like that anymore.' And with Gregory now firmly back in Hollyoaks and a huge event looming, it appears James and Ste's latest chapter is heading towards an explosive conclusion.
