Brent Taylor

Brent Taylor is the ex-boyfriend of Rayne Royce. In April 2023, Rayne's boyfriend Romeo Nightingale spotted mentions of Brent in the comments on a video Rayne posted, and Rayne told him that Brent was her boyfriend who had died by suicide. During a discussion over his death, Lacey Lloyd told Romeo that she herself was to blame for Brent's death as she prevented Brent from seeing Rayne on the night of his death. On 26th July 2023, Rayne told Romeo that Brent had died five years ago.
Rayne later confessed to Romeo that she had texted Brent before his death, daring him to kill himself unaware he'd actually go through with it. Meanwhile, Brent's mother Cheryl Taylor began sending hate to Rayne, blaming her for Brent's death. The comments took the interest of Romeo's father James Nightingale and Rayne's rival Peri Lomax, and Peri tracked Cheryl down to Plymouth. Cheryl told Peri that Brent was still alive and arranged for him to meet with her.
Brent revealed to Peri that he had survived a suicide attempt after splitting with Rayne, but noticed the immense support and popularity Rayne received and suggested that he faked his death as he was no longer needed for her "brand". Throughout the conversation, Peri realised that Brent had been coercively controlled by Rayne throughout the relationship and attempted to bring him to Hollyoaks. Rayne warned Brent to stop her so Brent beat Peri unconscious and held her captive in the basement, sending Cheryl on holiday.
After being held hostage by Brent for several days, Peri managed to get through to Brent by mentioning her daughter Steph, and telling him about Rayne and Romeo's relationship. The pair visited Rayne at her party venue, ultimately exposing her suicide lie to everyone - including a horrified Lacey! Rayne's plans began to unravel and she was later discovered drowned in the swimming pool, whilst Brent went missing as the police arrived. Upon capture, Brent was arrested on suspicion of Rayne's murder, but instead charged with Peri's kidnapping. After being attacked on James's orders, Brent gave in and made a confession.
Later, Phoenix Hathaway - who had been mute since seeing Rayne's body - revealed that Brent had been with him at the time of Rayne's death, all proven through Brent being overheard on a voicemail Phoenix sent to late friend Juliet Nightingale. Now cleared, Brent was released on bail and realised that Romeo's father James had had him attacked in prison.
==Background Information==
*Brent was named after Neighbours character Brent Colefax. Jemma Donovan - who portrayed Rayne - appeared in Neighbours as Harlow Robinson, who had a relationship with Colefax in the serial.
== List of appearances ==
=== 2023 ===
*13th September 2023
*14th September 2023
*22nd September 2023 (II)
*25th September 2023 (I)
*25th September 2023 (II) (6208 & 6208A)
*26th September 2023
*6th October 2023
*16th October 2023
*17th October 2023
*18th October 2023
Category:Hollyoaks characters
Category:2023 minor characters