Hollyoaks’ Kieron Richardson refused to take on the far right radicalisation plot at first fearing attacks

HOLLYOAKS' Kieron Richardson refused to take on Ste Hay's far right radicalisation

The actor - who plays Ste in the Channel 4 soap - was terrified to tackle the subject fearing attacks on him and his family by far right thugs.

Speaking at a screening of the dramatic episodes, Kieron admitted his doubts about the storyline.

He said: "When the guys sat me down originally, I hadn’t heard of radicalisation before and I didn’t know what it was.

"Then we had a meeting with the guys from Exit UK. Basically, most of our story has been based on their work.

"I came out of that meeting and said to (Hollyoaks boss) Bryan Kirkwood, 'I don’t want to do it. I’m too scared, I can’t do it'.

"I’m so glad now though, over a year later, that I did. Watching this week’s episodes, I’m so proud of it as a body of work."

In tonight's E4 episode of the soap, Ste was trapped with the gang after Johnny accidentally set the bomb off in the garden of their house.

He had planned to blow up The Loft, killing the Maalik family and their guests for Sami and Sinead's engagement party but Ste tried to stop him.

It emerged the explosion had left Yaz deaf, and when Ste tried to help her Johnny forced him back inside.

When the Maaliks arrived back, doctor Misbah jumped straight in to treat both Yaz and Johnny - despite his vile comments to her because she is Muslim.

Later Stuart summoned the gang to the garage to make sure they all kept their mouth shut while he works out a plan to get them out of it.

The explosive week of episodes continues this week as Ste begins to see the thugs for what they are.

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