In a stunning twist that has rocked the village, James Nightingale has made a shocking return to Hollyoaks after faking his own death, leaving his grieving husband Ste Hay in a state of utter disbelief. The dramatic reunion, which aired on Wednesday, January 6, 2026, marks the culmination of a storyline that began with James's apparent demise in a car explosion in September 2024.
The Long-Awaited Reunion
While dedicated viewers learned the truth during the soap's 30th-anniversary episodes in October 2025, Ste Hay remained in the dark, mourning the loss of his husband. The only other villager privy to the secret was Darren Osborne, played by Ashley Taylor Dawson, who was bribed into silence. The emotional on-screen moment saw Ste initially believe he was hallucinating when James reappeared.
Explaining his drastic actions, James revealed to a shell-shocked Ste that he fled Chester believing Ste had fallen in love with Rex Gallagher, portrayed by Jonny Labey. This misconception led to an elaborate scheme where James allowed everyone, including the love of his life, to think he was dead.
Stars Open Up On Emotional Scenes
Actors Kieron Richardson and Gregory Finnegan have now broken their silence on filming the high-stakes storyline. Richardson, who plays Ste, highlighted the complex timing of the return. "Talk about timing for James’s return," he said. "It’s New Year, which normally means fresh starts but for these two we have to go back."
He elaborated on the immense challenges Ste has faced alone: "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." 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."
What Next For 'Stames'?
Gregory Finnegan, who portrays the returned James Nightingale, expressed his excitement about the long-awaited narrative pivot. "The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally upon us," Finnegan stated. "James and Ste, two characters who have been circling each other for a decade, are about to come face once more."
He reflected on their turbulent history, noting, "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?" Finnegan also shared his joy at being back on set: "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."
The central question now hanging over the couple is whether Ste can ever forgive the man who put him through months of agonising grief. With everything he thought he had lost suddenly within reach, Ste is overwhelmed. The upcoming episodes will explore whether their bond can withstand this monumental betrayal or if the damage is irrevocable.
Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm, with first-look episodes available to stream on Channel 4 from 7am each day.
