Hayli Squinteye

Hayli Squinteye (nee Cooke) is the wife of Jon Squinteye. She made her first appearance in May 2018. She is currently one of the lead characters.

## Storylines

### 2018-

Hayli first appears in May 2018, along with her husband, Jon, and children Jade and Oliver. They turn up at a family gathering, along with Wallace, Stella, Ilfracwm, Fuchsia, Nita, Nick, Nicky, Karen and Gliggle. The family later move into 7 Hole Street. In May 2018, Hayli gets a job at The Tumpetty. Hayli is confused in November 2019 when Jon suddenly leaves, saying he's going to France to look at trains for Wallace. Hayli asks Wallace who tells her he knows nothing about it, and then realises that Swibber is behind it. In June 2020, Hayli feels unwell, and goes to see the doctor Anthony Cole. It turns out that she has stage 2 cancer, with 60% survival rate. Hayli feels alone as Jon has left, and calls her nan, Joan Cooke, who comes to stay with her in August 2020. Hayli tells her friends in the Tumpetty, and takes time off because of this. She starts her treatment in September 2020. She meets a man named William Lane, who is also undergoing cancer treatment. The pair start a relationship. In November 2020, William reveals he is dying. Hayli and William decide to stick together. In February 2021, Hayli is pleased when she is given the all clear from Dr. Cole. Hayli and William are lying on the bed a few weeks later, and William tells Hayli to get drinks. When she returns, she finds William has quietly died. In July 2021, Hayli is surprised when Jon returns. In October 2021, Hayli goes to the doctor, and is told that she is 8 months pregnant, and she didn't realise. Hayli tells Jon the news, her relationship with William, and her cancer battle. Jon walks out, and behind her back kisses Kellie Jackson. In November 2021, Hayli is not happy when Joan invites Victor Johnson around for dinner at short notice. While cooking, Hayli goes into labour. Joan and Jade help her into the lounge, and she gives birth to a baby boy, which she names William Squinteye. Joan, Victor, Jade and Ollie are all present. In December 2021, Jon tells Hayli about the kiss. Hayli is devastated, and paints "homewrecker" on the front door of No.10. Kellie comes around and confronts her, and the two women end up fighting, throwing an umbrella, toy train and clothes at each other, before Kellie threatens to take Hayli's children off her. Later, Hayli falls downstairs, tripping over the toy train at the top of the stairs. She is found by Joan and Jade. When Hayli comes around in hospital, she mentions Kellie. In February 2022, Hayli meets Simon Jackson and goes to the The Tumpetty with him. Hayli tells him about Kellie, to which he says sounds like his sister. Kellie then walks in, revealing herself as Simon's sister. Later, Simon asks Hayli out. In April 2022, Kellie chased Hayli into her house, and Kellie trips and falls down the stairs, getting knocked unconscious. On the day of Julie McAlddon's retirement party, Hayli is arrested for attempted murder. She is later released. In June 2022, Hayli crashes Shive and Tammie's wedding party and starts shouting at Kellie. Kellie's mother Julia tries to intervene, and Hayli pushes her onto a table, causing a fight. In July 2022, Hayli is devastated when Jon dies in a train crash. In August 2022, Hayli is kidnapped by her half brother Rob Anderson and his accomplice Big Rick, but survives. In September 2022, Hayli is surprised when a man arrives, who turns out to be her father, Tom Anderson. In July 2023, Hayli is devastated when Simon dies when the roof of The Cloud collapses.

## Background Info

In February 2018, it was announced that James Bye and Lacey Turner were joining N&F as a couple, due to the temporary split between their characters, Martin and Stacey Fowler in EastEnders. NJE said, "we need a normal family in N&F, there's been a hole that was left by the departure of the Mills family." It was then announced that they were going to be Jon and Hayli Squinteye, the brother and sister-in-law of long established character Wallace Squinteye. The couple made their first appearance in May 2018. Turner had previously played a character names Tiffany Varlena for one episode in 2012. Fans have praised scenes between her and Jon, one saying "Jon seems to want to live a quiet, straightforward life, whereas Hayli seems to want to have fun!"

In 2020, it was announced that Hayli would be involved in a "devastating" cancer storyline , which will run until 2021.