Exclusive: Hollyoaks films shocking last-minute scene for Ste's disappearance story

Hollyoaks has filmed a special scene in Chester today – with cast and crew working on location just days before broadcast.

Digital Spy joined fans in the city, as they gathered to finally get some answers about what has happened to Ste Hay, who has been missing for weeks.

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The show's bosses have turned Ste's baffling disappearance storyline into a real-life treasure hunt over the past two days.

In a series of online social posts, they've encouraged viewers to find an official Hollyoaks van which has been travelling around various locations in the North West, offering clues to Ste's whereabouts.

The climax of the campaign took place in Chester city centre today as a crowd of eager Hollyoaks fans gathered.

Some of the show's cast, including Jorgie Porter (Theresa), Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra), Sam Meyer (Maddox) and Naledi Rapotu (Kathleen-Angel) kicked off the action, performing a dramatic scene involving two other characters playing a bride and groom.

This was followed by a big surprise, as missing Ste burst out of the van for a scene which will feature in the main show.

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Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste, brought his A-game to the big moment as he performed live in front of some of the show's biggest fans.

Looking visibly distressed, Ste walked through the busy street and handed someone a piece of paper that had 'help me' written on it – but he was then bundled back into the van by men wearing hi-vis jackets.

Digital Spy was invited along to see the action unfold and to interview cast in Chester – stay tuned for more of our videos and exclusive coverage.

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Regular viewers will see the results on screen in Hollyoaks next week, as a video begins to circulate showing Ste in Chester.

A Hollyoaks insider exclusively told Digital Spy: "Bosses at the soap love to find new ways to tell stories, so the opportunity to film a truly immersive live theatre-style scene – with fans closely involved – proved impossible to resist.

"The fun moment ticked several boxes, allowing fans to play a role in the drama like never before. It also made sense to feature a popular character like Ste and treat viewers to an on-location moment in Chester, which honours the show's history."

While Hollyoaks has always been set in Chester, most of its day-to-day scenes are filmed at the Lime Pictures studios in Liverpool.

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Gregory Finnegan, who plays James Nightingale, previously teased today's events by telling us: "There's a really exciting – I don't know if I can call it a stunt – coming up, which hopefully should really excite all the fans.

"It's something that we've never done before, so that's awesome. All I'll say is that it's back to the roots of the show. It's super exciting."

Ste disappeared a few weeks ago after popping into a shopping centre while on his way to a spa day with his sister Leela Lomax and friend Mercedes McQueen.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

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