Ste Hay (also McQueen) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kieron Richardson.

In April 2017, Richardson began taking hiatus from the show due to paternity leave, and made a full-time return on 18 December 2017.

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.

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 (Alice Barlow) and Noah Baxter (Law Thompson) which become subject to love "triangle" storylines involving Brendan.

[1] 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 (Ashley Slanina-Davies).

Following positive viewer feedback after this second stint, Kirkwood asked Richardson to reprise the role on a permanent basis, beginning 26 September 2007.

He added his participation in the reality television series was for "fun",[2] 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.

He bullied several of his peers, including Josh Ashworth (Sonny Flood), Jamie "Fletch" Fletcher (Sam Darbyshire) and Nicole Owen (Ciara Janson).

During 2009 Ste's persona improved when he became a single father to Lucas Hay (Jude) and Amy's daughter to a previous relationship, Leah (Jessica Croft-Lane) 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.

[11] Whilst the storyline aired, Richardson and Slanina-Davies fronted a charity campaign called "Expect Respect" in order to combat domestic violence.

[12] At the time Richardson released a statement opining domestic violence affects many young people in any form of life.

Richardson reported that he enjoyed working with Jude and Jessica Croft-Lane, the young actors who played Lucas and Leah.

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.

[17][18] 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."

But I think the nice thing is that Danny Miller has portrayed a scally-type character who's gay in Emmerdale, so I think people have accepted it a lot more.

[21] 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.

[29] Brennan told Alison Slade from TVTimes that Doug wants to "regain control of his life" after seeing Ste and Adam on their date.

[31] Richardson told a writer from TV Buzz that Doug and Ste would not solely be "another love story" because Brendan will be involved.

[35] He explained that Danny had attempted to make contact on many occasions but Ste's mother, Pauline Hay (Jane Hogarth) prevented it.

"[35] 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.

The character is later reveal to be his ex-girlfriend Amy Barnes's (Ashley Slanina-Davies) fiancé following her return to the show and will be "polar opposite" to Ste.

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.

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 (Harvey Virdi) fails to save Ste's half-sister Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis) following injuries from a storm, and she dies as a result.

[42] Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood explained that he decided to tackle the issue after discovering how radicalisation groups work.

[41] The charity EXIT UK agreed that it was good to highlight the taboo topic and offered support and guidance to the cast and crew.

[56] 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.

[57] Anthony D. Langford, also writing for AfterElton, who avidly followed the plot, felt shocked when he witnessed Brendan attacking Ste.

[59] 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!