Hollyoaks launches a big new storyline for Harry Thompson in tonight's Channel 4 episode (August 17) as he makes a move on Ste Hay for the first time.

Although Ste (Kieron Richardson) does the sensible thing and rejects the teenager's advances, his resolve won't last for long as the unlikely pair will develop a full-blown relationship over the next few weeks.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Parry Glasspool, who plays Harry, to hear all the gossip on his surprising new on-screen romance.

Harry and Ste's relationship is probably your biggest storyline so far. How do you feel about taking it on?
"I'm excited about it. It's a meatier storyline and it gives me more to do, so I get to show my acting chops. Obviously I get to work with Kieron and he's really good to share scenes with. He's a bit of a dude and makes it all very easy - he knows exactly what he's doing because he's been with the show for so long.

"If you get to work with someone who's a good actor and who you get along with, it's the easiest job in the world. When they give you good writing to play off it's even easier. I'm really enjoying it and I'm excited to see what happens."

How long ago did you find out that the story was coming up? Was it always the plan?
"When I first started on the show, they told me about Harry's sexuality but I didn't know exactly what would happen. I was never sure whether Harry's connection to John Paul would crop up again or whether he'd end up with someone else.

"I found out about Harry and Ste a few months back now, when me and Kieron had the scene where they shared a moment for the first time at Tony's flat. That was a while back and nothing else has happened between them until now."

Do you think Harry and Ste could be a good match, or does the age difference make the relationship a bad idea?
"I'm not sure yet. I think they seem to be quite a good match at the moment, but I'm not sure if that's more lust over love. I have mates who are gay and they've had relationships with bigger age gaps and they seem perfectly fine.

"Harry's supposed to be quite mature, but at the same time he is only 17 and he does have moments where he acts like a childish idiot! I'm not sure how many of those moments Ste will be able to put up with, but at the moment they're not really thinking about that stuff - they're just more interested in having fun and they'll think about the rest later."

Do you think the fans will get behind Ste and Harry?
"I think from what I've seen - which isn't a huge amount yet as the story is only just starting - it's about 50/50. Ste's had popular relationships in the past and sometimes the fans don't really like change, but I'm hoping we can change their minds about that. We've just got to make sure we do a good enough job and hopefully they'll like it."

Ste is with Sinead at the moment, so does Harry feel any guilt about pursuing someone who's unavailable?
"I think uncharacteristically Harry is just being a bit selfish, so he doesn't really care at all. He definitely feels that Sinead is trapping Ste in their relationship. Harry starts saying to Ste: 'I know you're gay, you know you're gay, this whole thing with Sinead is a complete farce.'

"It's slightly hypocritical because John Paul was also saying the same thing to Harry a while ago and he kept denying it! But I think Harry is far too into Ste to be bothered about anything else, so I don't think he really cares about Sinead at all to be honest."

How do you think Tony will feel about the relationship?
"Obviously Tony is good mates with Ste, but I think it'll be like stories I've heard from some of my mates who came out. Their parents were all fine about it, but then suddenly it was on their front door and they felt a bit uncomfortable dealing with something they hadn't before. I think it'll be hard for Tony because he's been talking about Harry having a wife and kids in the future."

Do Harry and Ste talk much about Ste's HIV?
"Ste does bring it up a couple of times, but Harry is mature enough to see past that. Some people would react badly to it because they're quite ignorant about what HIV is, but Harry sees past all that and it doesn't really faze him."

We've heard there's a scene coming up where Ste rips off Harry's shirt and throws him on a table! Have those type of scenes been funny to film?
"Funny's one word! (Laughs.) They're interesting and entertaining I guess. It'll be interesting to see how much they keep for 6.30pm viewing! If we're going to do it, we might as well do it properly and go balls to the wall, pardon the pun. I think you've got to be quite brave about it.

"I always find that after doing your first kiss with another actor, it always just comes naturally after that. If you're going to go half-way with those scenes then it's just going to look stupid - you might as well do it properly."

You've said on Twitter that Harry could be bisexual. Is that just your view, or is that the way the writers are going?
"That was just me venting, to be honest. People on Twitter were coming out with this silly black and white point of view of, 'Is Harry gay or is he straight?' I was like, 'Well guys, there are some people out there who like a bit of both'. It just annoyed me that it didn't even come into their heads.

"It's worth thinking about. If Harry really did have feelings for Cleo like he said he did, it's not too far out of the realms of reality. As to whether he actually is bisexual, I'm not too sure yet and I'm not sure if Harry really knows yet either. I'm not sure if there is a point where someone makes a 'final decision', I think a person's sexuality just is what it is. If someone manages to find someone they're attracted to, that's just who they are and they like what they see."

Would you like Harry to confide in Zack at some point?
"Yeah, I would. Me and Duayne [Boachie, who plays Zack] live together and we always talk about all these possibilities. Duayne is always coming up to me saying, 'Is Zack going to find out about this thing or what? Is he going to talk to me about this?!' I think it'd be good. I have no idea how Zack would react, but he's a nice kid and he's been brought up well so I'm sure he'll be fine about it.

"I think it'd be healthy to show that a lad can confide in another lad about his sexuality and for the reaction not to be bad. Harry has already experienced Kyle and Aiden being homophobic, so it'd be nice to see how Zack reacts. I do hope we do something because they've already shown our friendship quite a bit."

Would you like to be involved in Cleo's abuse story more?
"I really would. It'd be another good story for me to get involved with and I think it'd also be nice for Cleo to have someone to confide in. If it's not Harry, then hopefully she can talk to Celine, Lockie or another third party who can do something about it. Cleo's in far too deep and her story with Pete is only going to get bigger and bigger. It'd be nice to be involved in that."

Are you pleased with the reaction to Harry so far?
"Yeah, I think the reception has been mostly good. I know I had the scenes when the homophobic lads Kyle and Aiden came in, but I haven't had a proper big story for people to react to yet. All in all it's been pretty positive. There'll always be some people who aren't that positive, but that's life and what happens. I've been happy with the reaction so far."

We have to ask - how do you feel about all of the half-naked scenes they're suddenly writing in for you?!
"It's Hollyoaks, isn't it? It's what you have to do. Danny Mac had to do it pretty much every day, so now he's left we're all picking up the slack. It just gives you the initiative to go to the gym and eat less crap!

"I don't mind it hugely, it's just sometimes they spring it on you and you feel like you're having a fat day so you don't want to do it. You just squeeze out a few press-ups and hope for the best! I don't mind it, it's just part of the job."


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