Kieron Richardson

Kieron Mark Richardson (born 12 January 1986) is an English actor and television presenter. He plays the role of Ste Hay in Hollyoaks, having previously appeared in Heartbeat as Ricky Smith. He won the British Soap Award for Best Onscreen Partnership with Hollyoaks co-star Emmett J. Scanlan in 2013.

Life and career Richardson with David Cameron and Victoria Atkin at 10 Downing Street launching a campaign to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in sport. Richardson was born in Eccles, Greater Manchester. After appearing briefly in Hollyoaks: In the City, he was offered the role of Ste Hay in the main series, Hollyoaks, where he initially appeared for 19 episodes. The character was written out of the show after stealing a car, which resulted in a crash and his character getting sent to prison. He returned to Hollyoaks on 25 September 2007, and has been a regular cast member since. Richardson has also made appearances in Holby City, Heartbeat and the feature film Fragments, as well as the pantomime Cinderella as Prince Charming at The Embassy Theatre, Skegness, in 2006.

Richardson took part in 2010 series of ITV's Dancing on Ice and was paired with Brianne Delcourt. He reached the final, finishing in third place. + Dancing on Ice performances and results Week Song Artist Score Leaderboard Result 2 "Beat Again" JLS 17.5 =2nd Safe 3 "Evergreen" Westlife 16.0 =6th Safe 4 "Play That Funky Music" Wild Cherry 15.0 =6th Safe 5 "Pencil Full of Lead" Paolo Nutini 16.0 6th Bottom two 6 "Don't Know Much" Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville 19.5 4th Safe 7 "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" Buzzcocks 19.5 4th Safe 8 "Careless Whisper" George Michael 18.5 =5th Safe 9 "Pink Panther Theme" Cast of Pink Panther 21.0 3rd Safe 10 "The Great Pretender" The Platters 23.0 4th Bottom two Semi-final "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" Green Day 23.0 =3rd Safe Final "One Day Like This" Elbow 24.0 3rd Third place "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" Buzzcocks 24.5

In 2011, Richardson and his Hollyoaks ex co-star Bronagh Waugh began presenting on radio station Gaydio.

In July 2025, it was reported that Richardson would also portray Ste in the Hollyoaks late-night special Hollyoaks Later for the soap's 30th anniversary, which was broadcast on 22 October of that year.

In 2026, Richardson voiced Jake in the CBeebies fantasy animated series Rafi the Wishing Wizard.

Personal life On 15 September 2010, Richardson stated on television programme This Morning that he is gay, and had accepted that at the age of 20. He was inspired to come out by Joe McElderry. In July 2014, Richardson received homophobic abuse via Twitter.

In April 2015, Richardson married his long-term partner Carl Hyland in a ceremony in the Peak District. In December 2016, Richardson announced they were expecting twins via surrogacy. They have twins born in 2017, a boy and a girl.

Filmography Year Show Episode(s) Role 2006–present Hollyoaks Regular role Ste Hay 2006 Heartbeat Recurring role Ricky Smith 2007 It's Adam and Shelley 1 episode Uncredited 2010 Dancing on Ice Contestant Himself 2010 Dancing on Ice Friday Contestant Himself 2010–2012 The Wright Stuff Guest panellist Himself 2011 Fragments completed Jay-Jay 2014 Challenge Live Presenter 2014–2015 Christmas Live Presenter Himself 2015 Halloween Live Presenter Himself 2016–2018 Big Brother's Bit on the Side Panellist Himself 2016 No Exit Live Presenter Himself 2017 Raised By Queers Presenter Himself 2025 Hollyoaks Later Late night special Ste Hay2026 Rafi the Wishing Wizard Regular role Jake (voice)