Phoenix Gulzar Brown, daughter of Spice Girls legend Mel B, is set to appear in Hollyoaks this week. In a special episode airing on Wednesday (September 2), a grief-ridden Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) vanishes in a shopping centre whilst en route to a spa break with Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) and Leela Lomax (Kirsty-Leigh Porter).
Ste's Disappearance in Runcorn
During the episode, Ste convinces the group to make a quick bathroom break, but his behaviour suggests he may have an ulterior motive to being at the shopping centre. Ste tries to catch his bearings as he wanders through the unfamiliar surroundings. Meanwhile, Leela and Mercedes gossip in the parked car, unaware they are being watched as Mercedes' love rival Gemma Johnson (Tisha Merry) has sent her cronies to get rid of the McQueen for good.
The scenes were filmed in Runcorn Shopping City, where Ste crosses with a host of mysterious characters as he tries to get out of the shopping centre, including a fleeting interaction with Phoenix Gulzar Brown.
Villagers Search for Answers
The episode concludes with Ste vanishing into the crowd of shoppers leaving no trace behind. In upcoming scenes, a defeated Leela and Mercedes return to the village hellbent on getting answers. With Ste being a vulnerable person having recently relapsed, the villagers come together to find out the truth and everyone is a suspect.
Ste's lover-turned-enemy James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) flies to the top of the suspect list, alongside recently released convict Sienna Blake (Anna Passey).
Autumn Storyline and Actor's Reaction
The storyline will continue throughout Autumn with a notable peak at the beginning of October centred in Chester city centre. Hollyoaks are set to release a brand-new Autumn trailer teasing the fallout of Ste's vanishing on Monday, September 7.
Talking about filming the episodes, actor Kieron Richardson, who has played Ste since 2006, said: "I loved filming Ste vanishing in Runcorn Shopping City with real-life shoppers, over 70 supporting artists and an amazing crew. People will see how busy the shopping centre was on the day, it really is like searching for a needle in a Ste Hay-stack. Predominantly all shot in one take. It felt very different and quite unexpected which is quite apt for this missing story. Just when you think you know what is going on, expect more of the unexpected."
Also, Ste's son Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) is back in the village and has an emotional reunion with his sister Leah Barnes (Charlotte Riley). Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed on Channel 4 from 7am.
