Yahoo Finance Exclusive: Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson speaks out on body double scenes
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson has spoken to Digital Spy about the mystery scenes coming up for his character Ste Hay and John Paul McQueen.
Show bosses recently announced that Kieron's real-life husband Carl Hyland had been brought onto set as a body double for James Sutton, who plays John Paul.
Carl's involvement will help Hollyoaks to show Ste and John Paul in close physical proximity as part of a future storyline, amid ongoing COVID-19 regulations on set.
Some fans have speculated that Ste and John Paul's scenes could be of a romantic nature again, although this hasn't been confirmed.
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Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Kieron explained: "To be fair, Carl has been in a few times now playing different characters but this is the only character so far that has been picked up – that he's going to be playing John Paul.
"I can't really give anything away, but it was nice to work with James again. We've literally not worked together since he left the last time, which was probably about three or four years ago.
"It was nice to have a catch-up, even just discussing what we've both been up to – and getting back to how Ste and John Paul talk to each other and their experiences that they've had.
"They've definitely got history, but it's one for the audience to be like: 'What's going to happen?'"
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John Paul is currently in an abusive relationship with policeman George Kiss. Ste has his own experience of abuse in a relationship, as Brendan Brady was violent towards him when they were together.
Asked whether Ste could start supporting John Paul, Kieron replied: "That's another thing – is that the conversation that they're having? Ste has gone through this many years ago, so can definitely relate to what John Paul is going through.
"The audience are automatically jumping to the conclusion that they're going to get together, just because they're having scenes together. There's a lot of history between the two characters so it might just be a shoulder to cry on, it could be them getting back together.
"It could be numerous things right now. There are a few possibilities, you'll just have to wait and see."
Kieron also praised Ste's current romantic connection with James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan).
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He said: "I kind of expected it, even before I knew. I was just like: 'Well, I've been with everybody else!' So I kind of expected to go back to the show and possibly get with James.
"But it's been really nice. I feel so lucky and really happy because he's still the reigning Best Actor, because we haven't had a Soap Awards since. So to get to work with him is amazing.
"In the past, the characters have always had tension and friction with each other. They've been frosty and never had to do lovey-dovey smoochy scenes, which again is now even harder because we're not allowed anywhere near each other.
"To try and sell this love story at a distance is another added layer of a challenge."
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
Organisations including The Mankind Initiative (www.mankind.org.uk) provide support and advice to male victims and survivors of domestic abuse, domestic violence and coercive control. Its confidential helpline, open weekdays between 10am and 4pm, is 01823 334244.
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