In a stunning twist that has rocked Chester, James Nightingale has returned to Hollyoaks after months of being presumed dead. The character, played by Gregory Finnegan, made his dramatic re-entry during the episode aired on Wednesday, January 6, 2026, leaving his grieving husband Ste Hay in a state of utter shock.
The Long-Awaited Reunion
While fans have known James was alive since the show's 30th Anniversary episodes in October 2025, Ste Hay, portrayed by Kieron Richardson, was kept completely in the dark. Believing his husband had perished in a car explosion back in September 2024, Ste was convinced he was hallucinating when he finally laid eyes on James again.
The truth, as James explained, is that he fled the village after becoming convinced Ste had fallen for Rex Gallagher, played by Jonny Labey. The only other villager in on the secret was Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson), who was bribed to keep silent about James's survival.
Stars Open Up on Emotional Scenes
Speaking about the highly anticipated storyline, actor Kieron Richardson shed light on Ste's complex state of mind. "Talk about timing for James’s return," he said. "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 detailed the turmoil Ste has endured alone: "He has been raising his grandchild, dealing with abuse from Lucas and complex relationships, while grieving." Richardson praised his co-star, adding, "It’s been great to work with Greg who is so great and giving as an actor that it’s felt special again."
Gregory Finnegan expressed his excitement about returning to the role and reuniting with Richardson. "The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally upon us," he stated. "James and Ste, two characters who have been circling each other for a decade, are about to come face once more."
Finnegan teased the future, questioning, "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?"
Can Forgiveness Be Found?
The road ahead is fraught with emotional baggage. In upcoming episodes, an overwhelmed Ste struggles to process the revelation that the man he loved and mourned deliberately faked his own death. With the life he thought he had lost suddenly back within reach, the central question remains: can he forgive the husband who put him through such profound grief?
The actors have both emphasised the depth of this new chapter, promising fans a compelling exploration of trust, loss, and reconciliation. Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm, with first-look episodes available to stream on Channel 4 from 7am each day.
