Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (July 9) episode that is now available

to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in

question will air on E4 on Wednesday July 10 at 7pm.

Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) was left baffled beyond belief after his

conviction was deemed unsafe, with the judge declaring him a free man.

The cleaner, as fans know, was due to be sentenced for his role in the

death of Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer), who he accidentally

knocked down in January while racing to the hospital.

Ste had made peace with the fact that he was going away for a long time, ready to accept his punishment for what he did – so much so that he broke up with husband James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan).

Things, however, took an intriguing turn when, in the courtroom toilets, Rex (Jonny Labey) approached him and offered him support.

Soon enough, Ste realised that the newcomer was flirting with him, with Rex branding the person who would end up sharing a cell with Ste ‘lucky’.

The gangster told Ste that he wanted to put a smile on his face and, as he closed the gap between them, Ste found himself unable to resist as he locked lips with Rex.

The two men took their passion to the cubicle and, after locking the door, they proceeded to have sex.

James, meanwhile, was encouraged by Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) to make things right with Ste and thus he resolved to do just that, arriving at the courthouse to find Ste in Rex’s company.

Luckily for Ste, however, they were fully clothed at this stage, with James therefore unaware that the two had had sex.

But more shocks ensued, with Ste declared a free man, much to the disdain of Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring).

Determined to find out who was responsible for his newfound freedom, Ste relayed what happened at court to Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who was adamant that whoever intervened to get Ste off is clearly out of get him.

In fact, he reckoned that it’s the very same person who shot him earlier this month.

After exiting The Loft, Ste was confronted by one of Rex’s heavies, who provided him with a burner phone, which had a message from a gangster named Blue.

‘I got you off’, read the message. ‘I own you now’.

Warren, meanwhile, received a visit from Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown), who notified him that the bullet used in the shooting was covered in blue paint – a trademark of a notorious gangster named Blue, who vanished without a trace in 2017.

The question is: just who is Blue? And is Warren’s theory correct? Is Blue out to take him down? And if so, will he succeed?

And will Ste be forced to prove his loyalty to Blue? If so, will he double cross Warren?

So many questions!

Hollyoaks streams weeknights at 7:30pm on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4. 

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