Hollyoaks airs shock arrest for Ste Hay kidnapping amid new evidence

Hollyoaks spoilers follow for the latest episode to air on E4 and stream on the Channel 4 service.

Hollyoaks has aired a shocking arrest as the Ste Hay kidnapping storyline rumbles on, but is the new evidence that's come to light as clear cut as it seems? Previously, James Nightingale found a form for a van rental from around the time that Ste went missing — although he doesn't remember ordering it.

In tonight's episode, he tracked down the van's whereabouts to an industrial estate.

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However, at the same time, Lucas was telling Gemma Johnson that her gang of criminal thugs had started working for him. But thanks to recent developments, he now needs her to move that exact same van.

He told her that Ste was in this van, but stopped short of telling her why he wanted it moved so badly. Instead, he listed off all the dirt he had on Gemma from his contacts — dirt that could get her sent down for a very long time.

With no other choice, Gemma had to agree.

Although he was staggering and struggling to keep his vision focused, James got in a taxi and headed to the industrial estate. Once there, he heard banging coming from inside the van. He tried to get Ste out, but the van had a driver in it and they scarpered off, leaving him devastated.

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Elsewhere, Sienna and Sophie Blake were enjoying a night on the sofa when she discovered a piece of Ste's clothing. Clothing with blood on it.

When James tried to return to the flat, the police were waiting and arrested him for kidnapping. As he was being led away, he screamed to Sienna that he was being framed and that the van was real.

Is James right about being framed, and if he is, who's framing him? Lucas seemed pretty emotionally conflicted in scene near the end of episode, but is someone else responsible for James' arrest?

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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