James (Leah's son)

James is the son of Leah Barnes and Dillon Ray. James is currently being raised by Leah's dad Ste Hay and is named as a tribute to Leah's stepfather (and Ste's husband) James Nightingale who died one year prior.
Leah went into labour at an engagement party at Casa McQueen. Her aunt, Leela, accompanied her to hospital where she queried if anyone had contacted the assumed father, Charlie Dean. Leela stayed with Leah as she birthed a baby boy. Moments later, Leah's dad, Ste Hay, came round from a year-long coma, which followed his injury in a September 2024 car explosion. Ste learned that the same explosion killed his husband James, and also discovered he was now a grandfather. He visited Leah not long after coming round, and she was delighted to finally see him awake. Ste asked to meet his new grandson, and Leah broke the news that she is giving the baby up for adoption. Ste wouldn't allow this, as he believed the baby needed to be kept in the family. Leah asked Ste to care for the baby, but Ste refused as he was still grieving for James and was secretly plotting revenge against Rex Gallagher for causing James' death on Dave Williams' orders. However, after a talk with close friend, Tony Hutchinson, Ste changed his mind and made it to Leah in time before she gave the baby to social services. Leah is relieved that Ste wanted to look after the baby and handed her son over to him. It was later revealed that Dillon Ray is the biological father of Leah's son, and he threatened to never forgive Leah if his boyfriend, Leah's brother Lucas Hay, found out about their betrayal.
On the day that Leah left Hollyoaks to study legal studies at university in San Diego, California, she shared a close goodbye with Ste, Leela and the baby, and asked to name him James in memory of her stepfather. Leela and Ste found this to be a lovely gesture.
==List of appearances==
===2024===
No. of episodes: 14
*16th September 2024
*17th September 2024
*23rd September 2024
*24th September 2024
*30th September 2024 (Voice)
*15th October 2024
*16th October 2024
*21st October 2024
*19th November 2024
*20th November 2024
*25th November 2024
*26th November 2024
*27th November 2024
*31st December 2024 (Voice)
===2025===
No. of episodes: 2
*6th January 2025
*7th January 2025 (Voice)
Category:Hollyoaks characters
Category:2024 minor characters
Category:2025 births
Category:Barnes family
Category:Hay family
Category:Lomax family
Category:Maalik family
Category:Residents of 2 Oakdale Drive