Leela and Peri Lomax (Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Ruby O’Donnell) have tried to rescue Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) in Hollyoaks from the clutches of Jonny Baxter (Ray Quinn) and Stuart Sumner (Chris Simmons) to no avail, but they’re given yet another opportunity to do so in the coming episodes, as Ste meets with his family in secret.

For the majority of the year, Ste demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to far-right extremists Stuart and Jonny. Having unknowingly been radicalised by the pair, the young man was willing to do just about anything — unaware of the fact that he was becoming a racist in the process.

However, after an explosion orchestrated by Jonny left Yazz (Haeisha Mistry) deaf, Ste began to realise that his mates were as sinister as everyone had said. With some time having passed since then, he’s determined to break free, and in the coming episodes he sends a letter over the fence and and into the Maaliks’ yard — hoping that Sami (Rishi Nair) will find it.

However, it’s Azim (Nav Sidhu) who stumbles upon it, and discovers it’s a cry for help, as Ste wants out of the organisation. Azim communicates with Ste, and he realises that his intentions are sincere, and thus recruits Ste’s family — Leela and Peri — to help him in getting him out.

Given everything that’s transpired, convincing Leela isn’t quite as simple as you’d might think, as actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter said: ‘As far as Leela and Peri are concerned, they have done all they can to help Ste. They think it is up to him to help himself, and they can’t believe that it has got to a point where he’s not even thinking about his kids anymore, the group come first.’

‘After Azim realises Ste really wants out, he comes round to talk to Leela and convince her to help Ste. Leela is not convinced at first.’

Nonetheless, they agree to help, and thus Peri sets up a fake hospital appointment for Ste to attend. However, Jonny and Stuart accompany him — but when Ste gets behind the curtain, Leela is there waiting for him.

Of course, the problem is — even if Ste’s words are genuine — Stuart and Jonny have proven what they’re capable of in the past, which means Peri and Leela are likely in great danger.

Actress Ruby O’Donnell said: ‘What Peri and Leela are doing is very high risk as they know how dangerous Jonny and Stuart are. But again family is everything to the Lomax’s so they’ll do whatever it takes to get Ste away from them.’

Kirsty added: ‘You never know what they are planning to do next, but when it comes to family, Leela will risk it all.’

The far-right storyline is set to reach a shocking climax in the coming weeks but, prior to that, will Jonny and Stuart discover what Leela and Peri are up to? What’s more, will any of the other villagers help Ste out?

Even with the young man having shown a desire to change, it’s going to take a lot of work for him to redeem himself — that is, if he manages to get out of the group.

Ruby said: ‘Along the way Ste has hurt a lot of strong families and characters within the Hollyoaks village and forgiveness is something some of them are not good at! However he was once a huge part of the community but he’ll have a lot of work to do if he wants back in.’

Hollyoaks continues Friday 8th November at 7pm on E4.

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