'Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood insists Ste Hay's radicalisation storyline won't have a clear cut ending.
Kieron Richardson
The Channel 4 soap's executive producer has opened up on the future of the controversial plot which has seen Kieron Richardson's character targeted and won over by a far-right extremist group.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Bryan said: "The story isn't going in one direction until the end. It will change direction and hopefully take the audience with it.
"There's a very clear point in the story where Ste is confronted by what Stuart and Jonny represent - and we get our boy back. It's not going to be easy.
"We're not going to tie it up with a bow and say 'all's well that ends well'. There's a change of gear in the storyline and where it leads Ste will take a respectful amount of time."
The producer explained how the team have been conscious of working with "charities and government advisers" to ensure the story being told is an authentic one, and Bryan offered a glimmer of hope to viewers hoping Ste can be saved.
He added: "We've also worked really hard with the Channel 4 compliance team to make sure that the story we're telling is suitable for the 6.30pm timeslot.
"I believe the journey we're taking Ste on is plausible and I hope he's redeemable. There's a significant chapter of the story that sees Ste trying to de-radicalise himself, but that's much later on in the year."
Earlier this month, actor Kieron revealed he had quit social media after backlash over the plot, and he admitted the criticisms even had an impact on his performances as he took the comments to heart.
He previously said: "It is so hard to watch and it is very controversial but it has to be like that as that is real life.
"I deleted my Twitter because people were hating on me and I was then trying to water down my performance as I didn't want to offend people, but that is the wrong way to do it."
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