Danger for Ste!
HIS PAL JONNY HAS SINISTER INTENTIONS…
Lonely Ste thinks romance is on the cards for him this festive season, as he moves in for a kiss with new friend Jonny!
The pair have been spending more and more time together recently, and with Ste at a low point in his life, he can’t help but lap up the attention that Jonny’s been lavishing on him. However, what the poor fella doesn’t realise is that Jonny has menacing reasons for befriending him…
“Jonny has been telling Ste that he’s amazing, and giving him the self-confidence that he really needs right now,” explains
Ray Quinn, who plays newcomer Jonny. “He’s doing more for Ste than anybody else has ever done, and Ste is really starting to fall for his charm. Unfortunately, Ste doesn’t understand that Jonny actually has ulterior motives for his behaviour.” Hollyoaks recently announced that Jonny’s arrival in the village would kick off a radicalisation storyline, in which
Ste would become involved in a far-right extremist group. This is the start of his journey into being
groomed by the organisation – but Ray tells us that Jonny is just as much a victim as Ste’s set to be.
“Jonny was abandoned as a child, and he’s experienced a lot of pain in his life,” reveals Ray. “He never really had a foundation, until he met a particular individual who has groomed him. This person gave Jonny love and support, almost like a family, and looked after him. He clung to this guy like a father figure, and now Jonny would go to the ends of the earth for him.”
In his bid to repay the ‘family’ who took in Jonny when everyone else had turned their backs on him, he is looking for new recruits for the group. So when he spotted Ste protesting about Misbah outside the hospital a few weeks ago, he identified the perfect target.
Jonny sees that Ste is vulnerable and easy to manipulate…”
“Jonny sees that Ste is vulnerable, and easy to manipulate,” reckons Ray. “Not only that, but the fact that Ste is gay will look good for the group, because it shows that they aren’t against people who are part of the LGBT community.”
Ray admits that Jonny is a complex character, and he’s finding it tough to get his head around the fella’s motivations. Even so, he’s relishing the challenge.
“I’m jumping into the deep end with
Hollyoaks, but it’s a huge opportunity,” he grins. “This plot will be quite controversial, but it’ll be a real education. I’m enjoying every moment so far – so roll on, 2019!”