Alternative answer - I can't see it stopping unless C4 decide to give Birkwood an OBE (that's the Order of the Big Elbow, BTW)

Sadly i can't see that happening. I suspect he will be there for years more unfortunately.

More importantly, the rat says to Leah "before you and Lucas came along., a lot of stuff hapened between me and your mother". Does Leah even KNOW that ratboy isn't her father, or are we looking at another convenient retcon?

All the twitter teens seem to love him. I have no idea why?

They are gullible i guess

I don't know whether she knows, but he's at least right in what he says (part of the lead-up to the later abuse was that Amy blamed Ste for her almost losing the baby when they crashed whilst joyriding. He in turn was angry that she dumped him for Josh after.) For that matter, does Leah know that Amy gave her up for a while and Kathy took over - then tried to kidnap her when Amy wanted her back?

They had Ste trying to explain and then Amy said he didn't which was a bit stupid, what is Leah supposed to think. Although I think she was quite pleased that RyRy (bleurgh) had gone lol
Got to say I agree with a lot of what's been posted here about Ste. To me, they are only keeping him at the forefront of Hollyoaks because of Stendan that's why they keep giving him big storylines and then never follow through with them.
Just bring back Brendan ffs

I don't know, or care. However, he is still in Hollyoaks, and that's the problem.

Most probably, since Jack wasn't even living in Hollyoaks when the series started.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kirkwood thinks the sun shines out of his arse. Recent rumours have implied that Mr. Richardson's rectum has been employed in an effort to reduce the lighting budget.

Cameron, Goldie and her brats and Ste all need to go.

And maybe in line for a big promotion - (Imagine some music of your own choice) Yes, right here at the Hollyoaks store, we are currently doing a major promotion on Brian Kirkwoods, buy two, get one free (And don't forget to claim your complimentary Kieron Richardson at the checkout).

I suspect that the giveaway in this case, is the word "Twit" - I don't have a Twitter account, because I'm not arrogant enough to inflict my thoughts on the rest of the world.

If Amy chucked Ryan out and told him to not come back, so he was single then , when he slept with Mercedes. So what's the point recording him?

Except here?

And doubtless the issue will come up again as the seed has been sown in Leah's mind. She is a sharp one is that one and will dig out the truth.

I think Amy's response wasn't just over the particular issue but because it really wasn't Ryry's place to bring it up. We've had clues that Ryry is actually quite controlling and sometimes dismissive of Amy, maybe she is cottoning on that all in that garden isn't particularly rosy.

Didn't take long for Mercedes to revert back to type did it. Yawn.

I don't have any personal experience with this so don't want to speak over anyone who does - but wouldn't it be a good opportunity to begin talking with Leah about abusive relationships? Not in an age-inappropriate way, but in 2-3 years' time she'll be at the stage where she will be starting to date. It would help her to recognise signs of abuse (either from someone else, or in herself); Lucas too, when he's a little older. Especially since they've already witnessed Ste in a relationship with another abuser

Great point. But it requires great effort and it doesn't look like Hollyoaks wants to take on it.

Cause in HO when someone says to leave and never come back they really mean they want you to stay.

It also means go off and have sex with somebody else within 24hrs (invariably with future consequences) before getting back with said partner.

Currently we have the consequences of this running in

Ellie's non consensual sl
Leela's and Louis' baby sl

and now however Ryry and Mercedes will play out.

It seems to me that Ste is part of an Amy and Ryry sl as much as the reverse. We've seen how controlling and sly Ryry can actually be.

Sorry if already mentioned previously but has the whole Leela baby storyline with the whole birthmark identifying the baby to likely be mixed race been done previously in another soap.

Yes was done in Emmerdale.