Ste Hay


Ste Hay is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kieron Richardson. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 February 2006. Ste was created by David Hanson and was originally intended to be a short-term character for seven episodes. The following series producer Bryan Kirkwood decided to bring the character back on a permanent basis. As of 2010, Richardson has revealed that he is committed to staying in the serial. In April 2017, Richardson began taking small breaks from the show due to paternity leave, and made a full-time return on 18 December 2017. In October 2019 it was confirmed that Richardson will take a break from the show departing on 20 November 2019.
Ste has been at the centre of several storylines including joyriding, domestic abuse, a baby kidnapping plot, drug dealing, HIV, far right radicalisation and a gay relationship. He was initially portrayed as a "bad boy" type character. Although he changed, producer Lucy Allan wanted him to revert. The issue of domestic violence has been portrayed through the character on two occasions: the first was his violence towards girlfriend Amy Barnes, and the second when he suffered abuse from his boyfriend Brendan Brady. Richardson and co-star Slanina-Davies both fronted an anti-domestic abuse campaign called "Expect Respect" for Women's Aid. He has subsequent relationships with Rae Wilson and Noah Baxter which become subject to love "triangle" storylines involving Brendan. Ste's gay storyline prompted Richardson to come out as gay. Its aim was to raise awareness of domestic abuse in a homosexual relationship. Whilst Ste and his storylines have received a mixed reaction from critics, Richardson has been nominated for various awards for his portrayal.
Ste is the son of Danny Lomax and Pauline Hay and the step son of Terry Hay and Sam Lomax. He is also the half brother of Leela Lomax and Tegan Lomax and the uncle of Rose Lomax, Dee Dee Hutchinson and Peri Lomax. He is the ex husband of Doug Carter and John Paul McQueen and the widow of Harry Thompson.He has two children Leah Barnes and Lucas Hay with Amy Barnes and one daughter with Sinead O'Connor. He is the also the former stepfather of Matthew McQueen and Isaac Thompson.

Character creation and casting

The character of Ste was originally a background character, who was cast by David Hanson for only seven episodes. Upon completion of his initial short stint, new producer Bryan Kirkwood decided to bring the character back for another handful of episodes, in October 2006, in which Ste fled the scene of a car accident involving Amy Barnes. Following positive viewer feedback after this second stint, Kirkwood asked Richardson to reprise the role on a permanent basis, beginning 26 September 2007.
In 2010 speculation arose that Richardson would leave the show, due to his participation in ITV ice skating competition Dancing on Ice. Richardson said "I'm not leaving, I'm staying put". He added his participation in the reality television series was for "fun", and stating: "I still want to stay at Hollyoaks and progress in my career there" because he did not think he was a good enough actor to pursue other projects. However, he later revealed he was not sure executive producer Paul Marquess would renew his contract. In November 2010 Richardson commented on his future with the show, branding it a new era and thankful to be part of it. Richardson stated: "Marquess loved everything I've been doing and wanted to keep me on. I'm hoping to stick with the show no matter what."

Development

Characterisation

When Ste was introduced on Hollyoaks, he was introduced as a violent and rebellious teenager who was often in trouble. He bullied several of his peers, including Josh Ashworth, Jamie "Fletch" Fletcher and Nicole Owen. His troublesome personality continued as he became a drug dealer, stole money and began hitting Amy. During 2009 Ste's persona improved when he became a single father to Lucas Hay and Amy's daughter to a previous relationship, Leah after she developed post-natal depression. Ste began working in restaurant Il Gnosh to earn money for his children, showing that the character had matured.
In 2010 Richardson revealed that executive producer Lucy Allan was going to return Ste to his "bad" ways. Richardson said that Ste had portrayed the whole "bad thing" and mellowed. He felt Ste was emulating fellow character Tony Hutchinson because Ste was "running a restaurant, camping it up like him and talking like him". Allan wanted to change that and see him regain some old habits. These changes did not happen because Allan quit her position soon after.
Richardson later told Inside Soap that he hated Ste when he first joined the show, adding: "When he came into the show Ste was a bit of a skater boy and I hated that." Richardson would recite his lines in "a sinister way and do under-the-eyebrows stuff", which Richardson felt inspired the writers to develop Ste's character more deeply.

Domestic violence and fatherhood

Returning, later in 2007, Ste and Amy eventually got back together. The pair moved into their own flat, to the dismay of Amy's father Mike Barnes. Despite this, Ste became increasingly violent and started to hit Amy, on one occasion even cutting off her ponytail. Slanina-Davis raised money from hair cut during the scene in aid the cancer charity CLIC Sargant. At this time, Amy became pregnant, but was unsure whether to keep the baby. Speaking about 2008 as a whole for Ste and Amy, producer Bryan Kirkwood said he was proud of the way Richardson had portrayed Ste in a sympathetic manner so viewers could understand - but not condone his behaviour. He thought he and Slanina-Davies delivered brilliant performances portraying the "reality of so many 16-17-year-olds", struggling to make a life for themselves. He felt some of their scenes were "downright shocking". Eventually, Amy decides to accept the help of her friends and family and leaves Ste for abusing her.
Whilst the storyline aired, Richardson and Slanina-Davies fronted a charity campaign called "Expect Respect" in order to combat domestic violence. At the time Richardson released a statement opining domestic violence affects many young people in any form of life. He stated he could imagine "how frightening it would be to have him as a boyfriend" and condemned his "violence and bullying" because it is always unacceptable."
During April 2009 Amy gave birth to Lucas and subsequently left due to post-natal depression. Ste was left looking after both Lucas and Amy's daughter Leah. A couple, Abi Raven and Daniel Raven befriended Ste and tried to convince him that he was a good father and that he did not need Amy in their lives. However, Abi and Daniel planned to kidnap Lucas, at first in order to keep him and then later on to give him to another family. Richardson expressed to Digital Spy his pleasure with this storyline, saying, "It's getting quite dark." He was also shocked with its entertaining and unexpected ending." When the storyline came to its climax, Abi and Daniel tried to take Lucas, but they were stopped.
Ste told Amy's father Mike to look after Lucas and Leah in the aftermath of the baby plot because he didn't think he was a good father. Richardson reported that he enjoyed working with Jude and Jessica Croft-Lane, the young actors who played Lucas and Leah. He reported that Jude was camera shy and liked to play with camera equipment during filming and that he told Croft-Lane that his name was actually Ste. Richardson concluded the storyline was different and he felt it gave him a chance to showcase his acting abilities.

Homosexual domestic violence

During an interview on This Morning, Kieron Richardson revealed that he was gay and that Ste would explore his sexuality and come out as gay after embarking on a dangerous affair with his boss Brendan Brady. Ste saw a nicer side to Brendan and they formed an "unusual friendship," which eventually led to having a wild lads night out and a drunken kiss. Brendan rejected Ste, giving into passion later, they kiss again. But the storyline took a dark twist when Ste was beaten badly.
During an interview, series producer Paul Marquess, he described it as a long running storyline, adding: "It is dark to begin with, the lessons that Ste learns are ultimately positive and life affirming." He also felt it was about not "being afraid of who you are" and Ste was "refreshingly accepting" of his feelings towards a man. Richardson revealed he was shocked to discover the details of the plot. He felt it was interesting to see how Ste coped with the being the victim of domestic violence.
Ste comes out to ex-girlfriend Amy first. During their conversation Ste reveals Amy was the only girl he really had feelings for and that his confusion over his sexuality was not the reason for him abusing her during their relationship. Ste is very relieved by Amy's good reaction. Amy is the one who discovers that Brendan is hitting Ste and she tells Ste to break it off, reminding him of how it was when he was hitting her.
Richardson admitted his initial fears of the portrayal because he felt it was a taboo subject. He had difficulties portraying it initially, this was because he was not familiar with the subject. "The storyline had not been tackled in British soap opera before and Richardson felt Ste was "making television history". He then explained how the storyline differs from other soap operas because "Ste doesn't question his sexuality and it's not about a struggle — it's about domestic abuse in a gay relationship." Richardson also stated because of the plots dark nature, he hoped viewers would be "drawn into it". He branded the storyline as unpredictable because viewers never know if Brendan was going kiss or hit Ste.
A spokesperson for Hollyoaks confirmed that Ste didn't realise "how much power and control Brendan was wielding over him". This was because Ste was still coming to terms with his sexuality. Ste felt a connection he never felt before because he hadn't had another male partner. Brendan manipulated Ste into believing he was to blame for Brendan's anger. The representative said this was why he ended up apologising. The storyline also aimed to shock viewers with the "dark depths" Brendan would go to in order to control Ste. Marquess later stated that Brendan's past would be explained and that everyone should remember it was Ste who used to hit Amy first, adding: "So it's a dark and interwoven story made all the more complicated by the introduction of a new love interest for Ste".

Relationship with Noah Baxter

In early 2011 Marquess revealed that Ste would have a new boyfriend. This would help create another "classic triangle" storyline. It was then revealed that new gay character Noah Baxter would befriend Ste. Noah's friend Cindy Cunningham decides to help the pair start a relationship. Waring said Cindy does not care about Ste and Noah and she sees them as "the only gays in the village". Waring concluded that she thrives off the attention and gossip their romance generates for her.
However Richardson said that despite his new relationship he is still "madly" in love with Brendan. Ultimately he stated "He may care for Noah, but he will always run back to Brendan".

Relationship with Doug Carter

It was announced in early 2012 that Doug will began his relationship with Ste. Doug later enters into business with him and they become good friends. As their friendship grows, Doug begins to develop feelings for Ste. Richardson told television host Myleene Klass that there was a possibility of a relationship developing between Doug and Ste. Doug helps Ste into online dating and develops "feelings" when Ste goes on a date with Adam. Richardson explained that there is confusion as to whether Doug is jealous of Ste dating a guy - or just jealous that his friend is being taken from him. Brennan told Alison Slade from TVTimes that Doug wants to "regain control of his life" after seeing Ste and Adam on their date. Doug decides to "go back to something familiar" and sleeps with Texas.
Brennan told a columnist from Soaplife that it was not "difficult to see why these two would find solace in one another". This was because of the commonalities between them - a "strong friendship", a history with Brendan and endured "tough times". Doug's past romances were with females; with the pivotal one being Jenny. Brennan explained that Hollyoaks were not just "turning Doug gay". Doug rethinks what type of love he had for Jenny, but she was "definitely" very important to him. He thought that the storyline was plausible because Doug was only twenty years old and people can discover their sexuality in later life.
Richardson told a writer from TV Buzz that Doug and Ste would not solely be "another love story" because Brendan will be involved. On their dynamic the actor said that "they put each other in their place and I think Doug stops Ste from being so moody and miserable all the time." He also thought that the two men share a "really cute relationship". Brennan and Richardson often call each other outside work to discuss varied ways of playing their scenes.
Ste and Brendan are known by fans under the portmanteau of "Stendan"; while Ste and Doug are referred to as "Stug". The storyline divided the audience as they supported either side. Richardson explained that Stendan fans were "obsessed" with idea of Ste reconciling with Brendan and the Stug fans wanted the opposite. He added that the two groups had "this little war" developing on social networking website Twitter.
Brennan himself is gay and he told Jenna Good from Reveal that unlike Doug, it had never been an issue - but there were certain aspects of Doug's persona that he related to and sympathised with. Brennan is protective of Doug and made slight changes to the storyline. He said that because sexuality is personal to him, he wanted stereotypes and clichés to be avoided and do the story some "justice". The actor wanted Doug to find happiness because had a "very difficult" year. Though his story needed plenty of "hiccups and bumps along the way" to avoid boring television.

Biological father and arrival of his paternal family

In 2013 it was announced that Stephen Billington join the cast. The character will play as Danny Lomax. A writer from the Hollyoaks website described Danny as "charismatic, charming, pretty-sweeting-captivating". He is also a "thoughtful, intelligent, articulate and well respected member of the teaching profession". Danny is liked by his students because of his youthful approach to life. He also has a "cheeky twinkle in his eyes" which charm everyone. Billington told the writer that can relate to Danny because he also teaches and gets along with young people. But he warned that Danny has a different side to his personality. Viewers will not discover this until later on because it will be revealed over time. Billington added that "you'll still like him, but he's much more complex than he first appears."
In an unpublicised storyline twist, Danny is revealed to be Ste's biological father. Billington told Kilkelly that he was "absolutely thrilled" with his storyline and that he was always aware of the development. He explained that Danny had attempted to make contact on many occasions but Ste's mother, Pauline Hay prevented it. Billington also warned that Danny had more secrets yet to be disclosed and was confident that Danny would be able to charm the audience with his persona. The actor added that Danny is "definitely not a bad person. He's just a bit of a free spirit and he likes getting his own way. Perhaps he's a bit greedy too, but when it comes down to it, he's a fundamentally good guy." Ste's stepmother finally introduced to the series with
Lizzie Roper casting was announced on 19 August, shortly after she made an appearance in E4's first look broadcast as his father wife, Sam Lomax. Producers did not reveal Roper's casting beforehand as they wanted her character to be a surprise for viewers.
Follow by the announced of his arrival, Ste's paternal half-siblings join the series with the arrival of Danny and Sam's three daughters, Leela, Peri and Tegan, however a year later Peri is revealed to be his niece and Leela's daughter.

Feud with Ryan Knight

On May 22, 2016 it was announced that Blue singer Duncan James join the cast to play as Ryan Knight. The character is later reveal to be his ex-girlfriend Amy Barnes's fiancé following her return to the show and will be "polar opposite" to Ste. His would "go head-to-head" with Ste for a storyline tackling blended family life. A show spokesperson teased that "viewers will be torn between luckless Ste and a man who on paper is a better example for his children but not their dad.".
In January 2017, it was revealed that Amy would be departing later in the year in a "whodunit" storyline which would see the character killed off after being murdered. Ste is the prime suspect because of Amy taking Leah and Lucas away from him especially Amy's parents Mike and Kathy for whom they blamed him for abusing Amy. His accused storyline of Amy death leads the star Richardson to take a small breaks from the show due to paternity leave, and made a full-time return on 18 December 2017. However, in October, it was reveal that Ryan is the one who killed Amy. Ste would later discover Ryan's actions and begins feud with him, despite they sleep together. James' departure was announced October 2017. Ryan's last episode aired on 7 May 2018. In his very last scene, it appeared Ryan had drowned in a river. On 8 May 2018, it was confirmed Ryan had drowned when his body was discovered.

Radicalisation and far-right extremism

In November 2018, it was announced that Ste would be targeted and groomed by the newcomer, Jonny Baxter. It was later confirmed that Jonny and Ste would be the focus on a radicalisation and far-right extremism storyline. The story sees Jonny target and groom Ste after discovering his hatred for the Maalik family, who are Muslim, however this begins when Dr. Misbah Maalik fails to save Ste's half-sister Tegan Lomax following injuries from a storm, and she dies as a result. Quinn explained that Jonny is sent by the radicalisation group to recruit people. He added that Ste is an ideal person to recruit since he is "very vulnerable and low on his self-esteem". Jonny then cares for Ste "emotionally and financially", growing his self-confidence with an underlying agenda. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood explained that he decided to tackle the issue after discovering how radicalisation groups work. He added that the story is "a modern story about protecting young people online". Richardson was pleased to be undertaking the storyline alongside Quinn. Quinn, Richardson and Hollyoaks storyliners and researchers worked alongside advisors and charities when creating and developing the storyline. One advisor, Jamie Bartlett, believed that it was important that extremism was explored so that the public knew how extremists operate. The charity EXIT UK agreed that it was good to highlight the taboo topic and offered support and guidance to the cast and crew.

Storylines

Backstory

Ste was originally portrayed as being a smart loner who kept to himself, with a cool older brother who taught him how to drive cars. It was later shown that his loneliness was just an act to get girls to sleep with him and that he was not really intelligent. In later episodes, his "brother" was never mentioned, possibly insinuating that Ste had lied about him. Ste was shown to have come from a broken home: raised by his alcoholic mother Pauline Hay and his abusive stepfather Terry Hay, with no contact with his biological father. Ste was regularly beaten by Terry, who was defended by Pauline. This led to Ste's violent nature and resentment of his mother.

2006—present

Ste first appears as a friend of Wayne Tunnicliffe. Ste eventually begins a relationship with Amy Barnes and pressures her to have sex with him. Ste begins a feud with Josh Ashworth and his cousin Fletch after they both defend Amy, who does not want to have sex. Ste and Wayne push Josh and Fletch into rebelling, which they go along with in order to impress them. Amy becomes pregnant by a stranger, but does not tell Ste. Afterwards, Ste confides in Amy about the abuse he had to deal with from his stepfather. Ste takes Fletch, Amy, Josh and Michaela McQueen joyriding and causes a car accident, after which he flees. Following a confession to the police from Fletch, Ste is sent to a young offender's institute.
Months later, Ste returns and seeks Amy's help. After convincing her he has changed, Amy gives Ste a second chance. Amy's father Mike attacks Ste, but is told by Amy that Ste is her daughter Leah's father. Ste and Amy become a couple again and move into a flat of their own. Mike contacts Ste's stepfather Terry, who arrives and beats up Ste. Amy then throws Mike out. To help with their money worries, Ste steals Warren Fox's credit card. With this, he buys expensive belongings for the flat. When Warren finds out, he takes the belongings and threatens Ste, who later breaks into Warren's business, Evissa and sets a fire, which almost kills Warren's fiancée Louise Summers. After this, Warren beats up Ste. Ste then turns to dealing drugs for money with his friend Nige Foster and influences Fletch to begin smoking marijuana. Amy lets Ste's mother Pauline see Leah, causing an angry Ste to end up hitting Amy. However, they reconcile. After Ste fails to find a job, Ste steals Carmel McQueen's handbag, but is stopped. To defend himself, Ste lies that Leah has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Amy is angry, but also lies after they receive money. Ste and Amy's relationship turns violent, with his lashing out on several occasions. The lie about Leah's health is revealed and Amy has no other option but to stay with Ste. Amy discovers she is pregnant, so Ste agrees that he will change. Despite his promise, Ste steals a karaoke machine, which causes Amy to walk out and tell Mike of her abuse, after which he beats Ste up. A drunken Ste climbs onto scaffolding and threatens to commit suicide. Kieron Hobbs tries to talk him down as Amy, Sarah Barnes and Mike leave, believing Ste is attention-seeking. As they turn away, Ste falls and breaks his leg. After this, Ste and Justin Burton become friends and move in together. For the sake of his unborn child, Ste gets a job in Il Gnosh restaurant and begins taking anger management classes.
Ste becomes friends with Natty, Daniel and Abi and begins a short-lived relationship with Theresa McQueen, which he ends to focus on getting Amy back. Amy gives birth to her and Ste's son Lucas Hay, helped by Ste, Daniel and Abi. Amy, however, suffers from post-natal depression, and leaves to live with her grandmother, leaving Lucas and Leah with Mike, who later leaves them in Ste's care. Abi and Daniel begin to help Ste with looking after Lucas, with plans of taking Lucas to replace their own son who died. Abi starts drugging Ste as Daniel turns him against Natty, who grows suspicious of Daniel and Abi's interests. Mike finds Ste asleep whilst looking after Lucas, so takes him. However, Ste takes Lucas back and bans Mike from seeing him. Ste almost shakes Lucas, so Daniel convinces him to give his son up. The truth is revealed, Daniel is arrested and later released, he and Abi leave the village. Amy returns and slowly begins to bond with her children again. They move into their old flat together.
When Tony fires him, Ste starts working at Chez Chez nightclub as a barman. Ste grows suspicious of Brendan Brady after he uses Carmel to smuggle drugs. Ste's former co-worker and love interest Rae Wilson returns following a stay with her ill grandmother. Brendan is jealous of their relationship, so gets Veronica to kiss Ste, which Rae witnesses. They later make up after Ste convinces Rae that the kiss meant nothing. Following a drunken night, Ste kisses Brendan, who then throws him out. The next day, Brendan corners Ste and kisses him again. In the club a further day later, Ste follows Brendan to a cellar and moves to kiss him. However, Brendan punches Ste, who falls to the ground. Brendan then makes Ste tell Cheryl Brady he was mugged. Ste avoids Brendan, still shaken by his actions. They resume their relationship and Ste tells Amy of his relationship. This prompts Brendan to attack Ste again. Amy realises that Ste is being abused. To hide their relationship, Brendan tells Ste to go out on a date with Rae. When Rae and Ste finally sleep together, Amy is hospitalised after being involved in a fire. Ste suspects Brendan started the fire. However, he denies it. Ste discovers Brendan's former lover Macca is in hospital after being beaten up by Brendan. Macca and Ste end up kissing. Ste later confides in Dominic Reilly about Brendan and the fire, however Dom is later charged.
Ste starts a relationship with Rae. Ste is angered when he sees Brendan has assaulted Trev Costello, who he thinks is gay, leading him to believe that Brendan's denial of his sexuality is leading him to gay-bash, ending their relationship. Ste later decides to give Brendan a second chance. Brendan reluctantly agrees to a date with Ste and the pair go to a gay bar, but Brendan bails. Rae reveals to Ste that she is pregnant. Amy convinces Brendan to end his affair with Ste. Whilst sharing a goodbye kiss, Brendan and Ste are caught by Mitzeee. Ste becomes jealous when Brendan and Mitzeee agree to pretend to be a couple. Rae catches them kissing, she suffers a miscarriage. Ste ends his affair with Brendan when he attacks him again. Ste gets revenge on Brendan by hitting him with a cricket bat. Brendan says they are even, he reveals the truth to Cheryl. Cindy helps Ste and Noah start a relationship and Noah convinces him to come out everyone. Brendan later seduces Noah in an attempt to split the pair up. Ste forgives Noah realising Brendan's intentions. Noah secures a job in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ste agrees to move away with him. Brendan is angered by this and sets Noah up once again. Ste catches Noah kissing Sean, Ste ends their relationship which forces Noah to leave alone. Brendan confesses love for Ste and they sleep together and Brendan's wife Eileen Brady walks in on them. Eileen tells Brendan he cannot see his son Declan Brady unless he does not see Ste. Brendan tells Ste they have to pretend until Declan returns to Ireland. Ste and Brendan break it off because of this and Ste leaves to go on holidays with his kids. When he returns, he sees Declan and happens to mention his sexuality which causes Brendan to panic and gives Ste a black eye. Ste decides to go to the police but Brendan convinces him not to for the sake of Declan.
Brendan fires Ste to get him out of his life. Ste starts a business with Doug and meets a guy called Adam online. He goes on a date with Adam making Doug jealous because he has feelings for Ste. When Ste and Adam are on a date, Doug makes a pass at Texas Longford which causes a scene. When Ste and Adam kiss at the end of their date, Doug expresses jealousy. After an argument, Ste realises Doug may be in love with him which causes awkwardness between the two. Adam dumps Ste believing Ste to be in love with someone else. After Doug finds out, they have another argument and end up kissing. Ste insists Doug must figure out who he is and come out before they can have a relationship. Doug then leaves Ste on his own at the Deli so he can figure himself out. During this time, Ste is approached many times by Brendan. Doug finally comes out and tells Ste exactly how he feels and they kiss which is witnessed by Ste. After feeling pressured, Doug tells Ste the loan he got to buy the deli is actually from Brendan. Ste reacts badly and tells Doug its over. Brendan offers to be silent partner of the deli. Ste signs the contract but is still not satisfied with Brendan being a part of the business. Ste kisses Brendan and signs the deli over to him before asking for an equal relationship. Ste leaves a note for Brendan telling him that he has been fooled and that he wants Doug and the deli and not him.
Ste experiences many ups and downs in his relationship with Doug following conning Brendan. Doug's insecurities over Ste and Brendan's relationship causes him to propose to Ste. Ste accepts and following an explosion at the Brady's home, he goes to the hospital to break the news to Brendan. When Brendan gets out of hospital, Ste helps him out which annoys Doug. Ste and Doug book a venue for the wedding and Ste is delighted when he finds out his kids are able to attend. Ste discovers that Doug has been trying to find evidence on Brendan's past crimes so he will be imprisoned. Ste decides not to marry Doug but later changes his mind to goes through with it. At the wedding reception, Ste discovers a recording of Brendan admitting to murdering Danny Houston on Doug's phone and declares their marriage over and leaves. Leah runs onto the road while a bus driven by Maddie Morrison is heading towards her. She swerves to avoid Leah but hits Ste and crashes into the wedding venue. Ste is comatised and Brendan comforts Doug.
After Ste recovers, Doug's parents force him to return to America with them. Ste tries to get back with Brendan but Brendan punches him because he made a promise with God that if Ste survives he will stay away. Cheryl tells Doug that Ste still loves Brendan a d he leaves. Ste goes to Dublin to find Brendan but finds John Paul McQueen in his bed. They argue and Ste leaves feeling betrayed. Brendan finds him and they have a heart to heart and they finally get together but Brendan's father arrives and causes trouble for them which causes Amy to take Leah and Lucas away from him. Later, Walker uses new barman Kevin Foster to stalk Brendan and eventually frame him for sexual assault. When it all gets to much, a drunk Brendan hits Ste. Brendan kills Walker by pushing in front of a train. Brendan tells Ste that his father sexually abused him when he was a kid. Ste tells Brendan that he loves him and tells Cheryl he thinks they will get their happily ever after. When Brendan's father attacks Brendan, Cheryl shoots him. After a stand-off with the police, Brendan confesses to killing his father and four other murders. He is sent to prison, leaving Ste devastated. Ste starts dealing drugs with Trevor Royle and befriends Sinead O'Connor. He discovers his mother has cancer and decides to look after her and agrees to help her die. Tony discovers this and tries to change his mind but Ste does it anyway. Ste is arrested and charged but he gets a suspended sentence. He reconciles with Doug and they decide to move to America after Ste is threatened by Trevor. At their leaving party, Sinead accidentally brings a bomb after she brings the wrong bag and the bomb explodes. Doug saves Sinead and goes back in to save Ste. The roof collapses on top of them, trapping them. They have a heart to heart and Ste is eventually rescued. He waits for Doug to come out but is horrified when Doug is bought out in a bodybag. Ste contemplates suicide but is stopped by Danny Lomax who reveals himself to be his father. Ste then discovers that he has three sisters Leela, Tegan and Peri.
Ste begins working in Tony's restaurant but it suffers a financial crisis so he starts dealing drugs again to save the restaurant. He grows closer to John Paul but John Paul is sent to prison. After Sinead's daughter dies, Ste helps her after her family disown her. Ste becomes addicted to drugs and when John Paul is released from prison, they begin a relationship. Ste is devastated when his dad dies in a car accident along with his wife. Ste finds out who raped John Paul and they have a fight and Ste sleeps with Sinead. Ste supports John Paul during the trial but can't stop taking drugs. Ste robs from The Hutch and accidentally pushes Diane Hutchinson against a table, knocking her unconscious. Sinead and John Paul discover this but agree to keep quiet. Ste is devastated when he discovers Tegan has cancer and has a one-night stand with a man he doesn't remember. Ste goes to rehab and comes face to face with his abusive stepfather Terry. Ste proposes to John Paul and they have a Christmas wedding but it is ruined when Sinead announces she is pregnant with Ste's baby. John Paul eventually forgives Ste and agrees to look after the baby with him. Ste discovers he may have HIV and him and John Paul get tested and John Paul comes back negative but Ste comes back positive. John Paul promises to stick by him but becomes jealous of his friendship with Sinead. Sinead falls in love with Ste and plans on breaking him and John Paul up. Ste kisses Harry Thompson, Tony's son, at a nightclub but is attacked by two thugs in a hate crime. Ste and John Paul split up and Sinead gives birth to their daughter Hannah. Ste moves in with Sinead but is shocked when he discovers that she is in love with him. After they argue, Ste takes drugs but later pleads with Sinead to stay with him. Ste and Sinead get engaged but he begins an affair with Harry behind her back. When Sinead finds out she leaves the village with Hannah. Tony discovers their relationship at the village pride and doesn't approve of their relationship. Ste and Harry start a relationship but Tony makes him see that he is ruining Harry's life. Ste breaks up with Harry on his 18th birthday and gets back together with John Paul. On Christmas Day, John Paul realises that Ste still loves Harry and they break up and Ste reconciles with Harry. They move in with Leela but her boyfriend Cameron Campbell doesn't want them living with him and makes up false accusations about Ste so they out and end up homeless. When Ste thinks about dealing drugs again, Harry sleeps with another man for money and when Ste finds out, they break up. Cameron gives Ste crystal meth and he later becomes addicted. Ste joins Cameron on a boat trip so Cameron can scatter his fathers ashes. A fight ensues and Cameron knocks Ste off the boat. Ste struggles because he can't swim and Cameron considers leaving him to die but saves him at the last second.
In a special three hander episode, Ste carries on with his drug addiction and Harry tells him that Tony is looking into a rehabilitation center for Ste. When Harry refuses to give Ste money for drugs, Ste storms off and Harry follows him but Ste punches Harry. Harry overhears Ste tell Tony that he isn't a domestic abuser anymore. Harry quizzes Tony on this and Tony tells him about Ste and Amy. The next day, Harry returns to Ste and he agrees to go to the rehabilitation center.
When Ste returns from rehab, he goes to see Leah and Lucas but instead meets Ryan Knight, Amy's new fiancé. Ste is hurt when Leah doesn't want to see him. Amy and Ryan move to Hollyoaks with the kids when Ryan becomes the new police officer at the local police station. Leah grows closer to Ste but Amy decides to take full custody of the kids due to Ste's drug addiction. Ste has a blackout and nearly attacks Amy which Leah witnesses and refuses to see Ste. However, Leah later forgives him. Ste later discovers that Ryan cheated on Amy with Mercedes McQueen and she throws Ryan out. Ryan returns from America and asks Amy to marry him and she accepts. At their wedding, Ryan asks Amy to move to America with him and she agrees but after seeing a tender moment between Ste and the kids, she declines. Harry discovers that Ste slept with John Paul and they fight, kncking a glass of wine over Amy's dress. Furious, she decides to move to America. However, Leah accidentally tells Ste about them moving and he quickly organises a custody meeting but Amy and Ryan are granted to move to America. That night, Amy is found dead in her flat and Ste is the prime suspect because they argued before her death and he suffered a blackout so he is unable to remember anything. The police arrest Ste when they find out that Harry gave him a false alibi. Ste confesses to killing Amy even though he doesn't recall what happened that night. Tony visits Ste and proposes to him on Harry's behalf. The next day Harry visits and proposes to Ste and he happily accepts. James Nightingale is hired as Ste's lawyer. He is later found not guilty, but this not accept by Amy mother Kathy since she blames him for abusing her leading herself to shoot him and then being arrested for attempted murder. He late break up with Harry & after Ryan has an outburst at Tegan, Ste goes round to Ryan's house to give him a piece. They argue for a while then kiss out of the blue and sleep together. The next morning, Ryan kicks him out and asks Ste not to tell Tegan anything. Ste tells Ryan he is going to tell Tegan but when she explains to Ste that Ryan is the best thing in her life, he can't bring himself to tell Tegan.
After Harry dumps Ste, he has a drink in The Loft when Ryan arrives. They talk and Ste ends the conversation with "I want to do something I know I really shouldn't do". Later, it shows a scene of Tegan walking in on Ste and Ryan yet again kissing and heading to the bedroom. The secret affair continues even after Tegan gets sent into a coma. They eventually come out as a couple after Leah prints out pictures of their text conversations when Ryan was AWOL and Leela finds them. She presents them at Amy's remembrance day and Ste and Ryan take a short break while Ryan thinks about his feelings. Even at Leela's disapproval, Ryan and Ste get back together. After job hunting for a while, Ryan tells Ste he got a great job in Brazil and Ste reluctantly agrees. As Ste gets more suspicious of Ryan, Ryan gets more desperate to leave the country before he can be arrested for the murder of Amy Barnes, Geoffrey Thorpe and the attempted murder of Tegan Lomax. When Ste finds out, he locks Ryan in Luke and Mandy's flat and tortures Ryan. Ryan escapes but is caught by the police.
After Ste finds out that Ryan was the killer of one of the most important person in his life, He is so devastated that he fall in the drugs again. Harry finds him and convinces him to stop using the drugs and Ste kisses him. Harry suggests they go camping and that they still love each other, though Ste is not sure if he loves Harry. To please the kids they go camping and Ryan finds them. Ste later learns that Ryan is dead. Harry tells Ste that he left Ryan to drown and Ste doubts about their relationship. However, Ste quickly forgives him, because Harry is still the man he fell in love with, and accepts the earlier made proposal from him. Ste warns Harry multiple times to stay away from James as he tries to get his own business running, but finds out Harry hasn't been doing that when Harry gets arrested for smuggling in a phone. To explain himself Harry tells Ste he's been sleeping with random men for months and knows James didn't kill Kyle because Kyle was going to pay him for sex. Ste and Harry find Kyle and James gets released from jail. Tegan tells Ste that he should forgive Harry because of all the mistakes Ste has made in the last two years. Ste does this and the two get back together. When Tony goes missing Ste is the only person that continues to look for him and eventually finds him and brings him home. In October Ste and Harry gets married, but a few hours later Ste overhears a phone call between James and Harry and finds out that Harry has been having an affair with James for three months. The wedding day is targeted by Storm Belinda and Tegan is severely injured when a branch fall on her. In the hospital Ste asks Harry to stay with him but Harry tells Ste he is in love with James and cannot be there for him anymore. Later Tegan dies in the hospital due to complication from a surgery Misbah performed in the pawn shop. The next day Ste tells Harry to leave town and he starts his mission to destroy Misbah's career. To brighten up the day, however, Sinead has returned and Ste is soon enough reunited with his daughter Hannah. Though Laurie, was informed that Hannah dad was dead.
After the death of Tegan and his failed marriage, Ste meet Jonny Baxter, who pretends to be a son of Pauline that she gave up shortly after giving birth. Where Ste's family questions this, Ste decides to believe Jonny's word and Jonny moves into the Lomax home. When Terry returns Jonny is there to support Ste through it and has Terry beaten up. Showing Ste that Jonny is a support that he can count on. Someone that has his back. Later Jonny introduces Ste to his friend Stuart Sumner, who is the head of a far right extremist group and it becomes clear that they have their eyes set on making Ste a part of their group. After manipulating the situation and feeding into Ste's anger over the Maaliks. Ste commits his first hate crime by smashing apart a bike belonging to Amir. Who he believes attacked Jonny. Peri has already caught on to Jonny racist opinions but Ste doesn't think they are that bad. When Leela comes back home from her trip away, she is informed about the memes Ste has made and the violence. Ste tries to convince her it was all justified but Leela point out she's not even sure who is talking any more at this point, but it's not Ste. She tells Ste it's either them or Jonny and Ste picks Jonny. Stuart buys Cindy's house and Jonny, Ste and the kids move in there. Tony is desperate to make Ste open his eyes and continues to reach out to him, he ends up discovering who Jonny and Stuart really are, pushing Jonny and Stuart to tell Ste about their movement. Once informed, Ste decides he wants to join them. After making a mistake costing them a legal protest march against the islamification of Britain, Ste organizes a new one, angry with Tony for ratting him out to the police after a violent outburst a day earlier. The illegal protest becomes violent and Ste is arrested. Afterwards both his family and friends along with Stuart and Jonny turn against him and Ste falls back on the booze. Peri tries to convince Ste to just apologize and come back home, but Ste decides to ask Stuart and Jonny for another chance. When he passes their test of loyalty, he gets the matching tattoo of the brotherhood and he has now officially joined. A week later Peri and Leela inform Ste that Jonny is not his brother. Despite being initially shocked at this reveal, Ste still decides that Jonny and Stuart are the ones he needs to be with and picks the brotherhood over his family. But there's more bad news for Ste as he discovers that Harry has been murdered, but doesn't know that Breda actually murdered him. He later feels guilty and tries to attempt to rebuild his relationship with him. A week after Harry's death, he discovers that Jonny and Stuart were actually far right extremists that ruined Sami's family including Yasmine who becomes deaf, he attempts to escaped which is a success after Stuart's son Sid Sumner, pushes his father to his death and Jonny gets arrested. After Stuart's death, the entire village turn against him including Yasmine because she blames him for ruining her family including her younger brother Irman being expelled from school and her mother nearly losing her job. He later sleeps with Sami's brother Azim Desai, but he doesn't know if he is going to trust him or not. Ste later departs to visit Doug's relatives.

Reception

Richardson has been nominated for several awards for his portrayal of Ste. During the 2009 British Soap Awards, he was nominated for "Villain of the Year". He was nominated for the same award in 2008 and at the 2011 awards he was nominated for "Best Actor". Richardson was a nominee for the "Best Actor" award at the Inside Soap Awards during 2010, and was nominated for 'Best Serial Drama Performance' in the 2011 National Television Awards. At the 2011 All About Soap Bubble Awards Ste, Brendan and Rae won the award for "Best Love Triangle". At the 2011 Inside Soap Awards he was nominated for "Best Actor" and "Best Dramatic Performance". He was again nominated in the category of "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2012 National Television Awards. At the 2012 Inside Soap Awards Richardson was nominated for "Best Actor". In August 2017, Richardson was longlisted for Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards. He did not progress to the viewer-voted shortlist.
Holy Soap opined Ste's most memorable moment stating: "Sadly, it's beating up girlfriend Amy." The fatherhood and baby snatch storyline received mixed reviews from viewers. Digital Spy posted a poll asking readers whether they thought the plot was anti-climactic. 76.6% of voters thought it was truly anti-climactic, whilst the rest thought otherwise.
After Richardson came out on This Morning, Dennis Ayers, writing for gay men's news website AfterElton.com, criticised the revelation, believing it to be for promotional purposes only. Whilst acknowledging Ste as being a "violent bully, a domestic abuser, and a single father", Ayers could see nothing in Ste's "dark past hinted that he might be gay." In spite of his criticism, he praised Richardson for coming out as gay. Anthony D. Langford, also writing for AfterElton, who avidly followed the plot, felt shocked when he witnessed Brendan attacking Ste. He moped there was worse to come and found it compelling viewing. He also did not perceive it as a romantic story stating: "Ste and Brendan's scenes do have an element of sexual allure since the actors have chemistry, but there's too much darkness and manipulation on the edges of every scene to make real romance even possible". He also gave credit to the show for its slow build up over a few months. After Rae became pregnant All About Soap said: "Crikey, at this rate Mr Hay will soon be giving Walford's Jack Branning a run for his money for the Most fertile Man in Soapland award!"
The Liverpool Daily Post said "You know you're not flavour of the month when even Ste Hay looks down his nose at you."