Jon Squinteye

Matthew Goode as Jon (2021-)

3 Hole Street (2021-)

James Bye as Jon (2018-19)

Jon Squinteye is the younger brother of Wallace Squinteye and the husband of Hayli Squinteye. He made his debut in May 2018. He left in November 2019. He will return in Summer 2021. He left in July 2022, when the character was killed off. He was played by James Bye from 2018-19, and Matthew Goode from 2021-22.

## Storylines

### 2018-19

Jon first appears in May 2018, along with his wife, Hayli, 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 April 2019, Hayli signs Jon up for the Easter Fun Run. He ends up winning, due to Nick & Emma holding back. In August 2019, he gets a job with Wallace, at the Sunny Railway. In November 2019, Swibber blackmails Jon, telling him to move away, without his family. Jon tells him no, to which Swibber tells him he'll be sorry. Swibber then takes Jon's daughter Jade, and attempts to bury her alive in a pile of earth. Jon hears Jade screaming and manages to save her. Swibber then tells him to leave for France and change his name or he will kill Jade, Olly & Hayli. Jon goes back home and tells Hayli that he had to leave for France because Wallace told him to look at some French locomotives. He phones Swibber when he reaches the airport, who tells him that it's the last time he's seen his family.

### 2021-

In July 2021, Jon contacts Wallace on an anonymous number, and asks if Swibber is still around. Wallace tells him that he isn't. Two days later, Jon arrives on Hayli's doorstep, shocking Hayli. In October 2021, Jon finds out that in his absence, Hayli was diagnosed with cancer and had a relationship with William Lane, who died, and was pregnant with his baby. In disgust, Jon walks out, meeting with Kellie Jackson in the process. The two go to the Tumpetty, and the pair end up kissing passionately in Kellie's house. In November 2021, Jon tells Hayli Squinteye 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 Cooke and Jade Squinteye. When Hayli comes around in hospital, she mentions Kellie. She also tells Jon to leave. In July 2022, Jon is involved in the train crash, along with Kellie. Kellie is freed, however, Jon is trapped. Kellie phones Hayli, and tells her to come. As Hayli arrives, Jon phones both Hayli and Kellie, and tells them he loves them, just as the second carriage falls on him, instantly killing him.

## 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. Fans have praised scenes between him and Hayli, one saying "Jon seems to want to live a quiet, straightforward life, whereas Hayli seems to want to have fun!" In October 2019, James Bye was axed due to behaviour in EastEnders (explained as an episode where his character Martin Fowler mentioned wanting to kill a child), & will leave in November 2019. However, the character may return in the future as NJE later explained his departure as "a six month suspension". In April 2021, it was announced that Jon would return, now played by A Discovery of Witches actor Matthew Goode. He returned in July 2021. Scenes showing Jon and Kellie Jackson (Jorgie Porter) caused controversy, especially Jon's actions leaving Hayli. The character made an unannounced departure in July 2022, when the character was killed off in the Train Crash.