I watched HO for over a decade now, though it's many ups and downs. Ste used to be one of my favourites, long before Brendan came to town.

But i just can't watch this character anymore and it has everything to do with Harry.

I've been completely indifferent to Harry and at least to me Harry has never been the most exciting or well drawn out of characters but he just doesn't exist as a character himself anymore. It's all about fixing Ste's problems, looking after Ste, looking after Ste's kids etc. He gets nothing in return. It's all about Ste.

The relationship (if you wanna call it that) is completely toxic and unhealthy and nobody with even half a functioning brain cell would want Harry anywhere near a complete and utter trainwreck like Ste.

It's come to the point of me hitting fast forward every time i see them. I wish they would focus more time on JP and James instead of having to sit through Ste doing dumb and selfish things and Harry supporting him no matter what.

Sorry for the rant but i had to get this off my chest

BIB - They are. They're pretty awful too, though.

Yes. But they are their own characters. No a cypher of one like Harry is.

Yes. I don't find them likable or interesting enough to want to see more of them, all the same.

This has nothing to do with ste more hollyoaks in general. If zack is leelas babys dad. Is it wise to run that story at the same time as ellies. I reckon ellies story is to show the dangers of getting blind drunk and having sex/getting raped. Though from what i've seen leela has not reacted at all to zack like she remembers having sex with him so therefore she'd have been worse than ellie cos she doesn't seem to even know they hooked up. Also he's like a year older than peri I realise she had her at 12 but still.

Many people, including me, would disagree with that. I like both characters (James specifically) and at the beginning the pairing had great potential, and I still root for them. Unfortunately, the writing for them soon became abysmal, but that's HO for you. Most things are abysmal.

As for Ste, I agree with OP. I used to love him, now I get irritated by seeing him pop up in a scene, even the way he speaks and his mannerism irritate me, so I often fast forward his scenes.

It's a pity. I blame the writers (and Kieron, cos he is of the same opinion) wanting Ste on a continuous and perpetual downward spiral, never letting him grow up and get his shite together. It burnt out the character.

I know, Francy. I realize there are a few people around these parts who like John Paul and/or James. I myself used to like John Paul back in the day, but I can't be bothered with him now. James I haven't warmed to at all, despite Bad Boys being my favourite characters as a rule (though not all Bad Boys). I have to say I was very surprised to see that some FMs are keen on him, but we can't all like the same people, and I'm certainly not here to try to persuade people to change their views just because they differ from mine.

Of course!! I'm feeling dumb... what is FMs? Females?

Sorry - forum members.

Ste used to be one of my favourite characters but I absolutely LOATHE him now.

Gone from one of my favourites to one of my least!!! (In any Soap)

He is an annoying, self-entitled prat who isnt a good Father to his kids either. An unlikeable character.

I'm glad the majority of the HO viewers on the forum agree on Ste being a burnt out character. From what I've seen on social media, Ste can do no wrong!

I also agree about Harry. He's had no development, he's just there in Ste's shadow. There's no chemistry between them, and I've already refused to believe someone like Harry, young and having good career prospects, would settle for someone like Ste and defend him no matter what he messes up.

I agree about Ste. For me, the character is completely exhausted and only exists for the sake of existing. His character has one issue led story after the only and clearly done to keep him relevant. In the space of two years he's had HIV, a drug addiction, an affair with Harry and a custody battle. Let's not forget the sub plots like his black outs and trying to expose cameron. I'm tired of him and I can't care for him. He's a self-pitying moaner who should either be written out or rested for a while. What irks me is that everything is about him and that we are MEANT to root for him. We are also meant to enjoy him and harry together. I just find them a waste of valuable screen time. Neither are interesting characters but I do find harry more watchable with his peers. Ste drags him down. However I get the impression that Ste/Kieron is a favourite of the writers. Never have I seen a character shoved down our throats as much as he's been. Kirkwood even bought in the lomaxes for him!

I probably wouldn't object so much if he was interesting but first and foremost characters should have a story to tell. This is why I enjoy the likes of sienna, warren, James, grace. They're not always likeable but faceted and flawed and it comes from a place that's real. Set however is constantly written around the script. There is nothing remotely interesting about him. I actually prefer Freddie over ste.

I also agree with everyone on here about ste. What annoys me the most is how the writers expect us to route for him no matter what. All those issue led storylines, in the name of doing everything to try and force us to do so. I used to really like ste. A complex yet flaud character, yet who at least tried to better himself and understood he had faults and he needed to change. Now if ste left i genuinely wouldn't care and it's a great shame actually.

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He only became popular because of Stendan so Hollyoaks/Birkwood keep giving him top stories because of that popularity. Kieron Richardson must be doing something right as he's won Digital Spy Best Actor award

Merry Christmas

Ste has become absolutely intolerable since Brendan left. I wish Birkwood would stop pushing him to the forefront of the show at every opportunity and stop trying to make us feel sorry for him all the time when he's clearly in the wrong.

I actually can't believe thst the awful "Starry" won best couple I can't believe I'm admitting this but I would have been happier with Robert and Aaron winning it and I hate that coupling with a passion.

I for one got sick of Ste long before Harry came around but yes I do agree with everything the OP said

I have disliked Ste for a long time he's just so unlikeable - selfish, self pitying, beyond tragic, I have four words I'd use to describe him "Rat in a tracksuit"

Also I have never rated the actor either in any high regard I think he's awful and the fact that he probably won't ever leave is something that really rubs up the wrong way, He's one of those very average actors who have become far too secure in their roles cause they know well if they left they would get no work elsewhere to fall back

Anyone else find his "shocked" facial expressions so awful and cringey too? or is it just me, terrible character and terrible actor but sadly I doubt he's going anywhere anytime soon

Totally agree, and it's not really Harry for me although he hardly helps. For me it's the fact that every ""storyline"" he is in is either him at "rock bottom" yet again because he popped a pill or him whining that he wants his kids back off Amy.

I agree with you, OP. I don't want to watch Harry just being an enabler for a selfish loser like Ste and I used to like Ste a lot, too. I like JP so he makes James more bearable to watch even though I don't care for James that much. I'd rather watch those two.

All you need is a few fans voting hundreds of times for them to win, Kieran wants that BSA best actor so Kirkwood will push him forward till he gives up. I think the popularity of Stendan has inflated his ego. He seriously is not a strong actor. The best actors are subtle. You can see him working overtime on his expressions; 'look I am emoting' give me a reward!

I'm not bothered about him either way any more. I used to really like him especially in the era where it looked like he was evolving and growing up ie with Doug and running a business. To a lesser extent I feel that way about Mercedes too.

I know some druggies never stay clean, that is real life, but this is soap land and Ste should either

stay clean and evolve into a mentor and role model (actually my preferred option)
die
leave

He can still have non drug related crises as all people do from time to time.

Granted I've only watched HO since post-Stendan so I don't really know what his character was like before, but from what if seen he's just horrible. I seriously can't see any redeeming qualities in his character whatsoever. He's selfish, immature, rude, self-entitled and all around just a horrible character. I also don't the actor that much at all, he's average at best and Kirkwood trys to act like he's Leonard D'Caprio or something and don't even get me started on Starry. Definitley one of the worst couples on this show in years, and there has been a lot of bad couples. No chemistry, and not to mention Ste just drags him down. Harry isn't a great character but he would improve if he was away from Ste. Basically he's a terrible character and HO should get rid!

It's easy to see why Starry won, it's nothing to do with quality (because there isn't any...). As a pairing consisting of two young goodlooking lads who are shirtless 80% of the time and eating each other's faces off all the time, they would naturally appeal to a certain group of fans, the teenagers who hang out on tumblr and are more likely to rally behind them to vote for them and make them win. Most people don't have the time or inclination to spend hours on the internet to vote on soap awards, so even if in general I haven't seen too much positivity about this couple, Starry won because they have a dedicated fandom. To be honest, I expected it.