Hollyoaks Star Jonny Labey Embraces Villainous Role in Soap
Jersey native and former EastEnders actor Jonny Labey is set to make his debut on Hollyoaks, diving into the criminal underworld of the popular soap opera. Labey, known for his role as Rex, will interact with lead characters Ste Hay and Warren Fox as they navigate through dangerous territory.
Labey, who hails from Grouville and attended Victoria College, expressed his excitement for the new role on social media, stating, “There we have it folks, REX is coming to your screens next week.” In an interview with Metro, the actor shared his enthusiasm for portraying “grittier characters” since turning 30, revealing that he worked closely with stunt advisers for his scenes as Rex.
Hollyoaks, which follows the lives of residents and college students in the fictional village of Hollyoaks in Chester, has recently expanded to streaming platforms and YouTube, gaining a growing audience in the US. Labey’s character marks his second appearance in a soap opera, following his impactful role as Paul Coker on EastEnders from 2015 to 2016.
Labey’s character on EastEnders, who fell in love with Ben Mitchell, was tragically killed off in a homophobic attack. Since then, Labey has showcased his talent on ITV shows like Dance Dance Dance and The X Factor: Celebrity, and he is now venturing into directing with plans for his first short film.
The son of Grouville Constable Mark Labey, Jonny Labey has also been involved in hosting the JEP’s Pride of Jersey Awards in 2021. Hollyoaks streams online via Channel 4 on weekdays at 7.30pm, with episodes airing on E4 the following day.