Hollyoaks' Rex actor Jonny Labey reacts to Clare twist and teases soap future
We got the lowdown on Hollyoaks villain Clare Devine from two co-stars working closely with actress Gemma Bissix currently on the Channel 4 soap.
Clare made her big return months ago, as part of a dark trafficking storyline involving other characters and some of the teenagers in the village. Clare's sister Grace black and half-brother Rex Gallagher were also caught up in the drama, with us soon learning all about Rex's past and backstory.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Rex actor Jonny Labey praised the move to explore what Rex faced when he was younger, and how it shaped him - leading to him taking a criminal path. Jonny discussed how fans finally saw why he was the way he was, calling him "a product of his environment".
He added how Rex's "unexpected" romance with Ste Hay changed things, and gave Rex something to push for. That said, Jonny loves the drama his role brings, and was thrilled to get to work with co-star Gemma as she made her comeback.
He wasn't the only one as newcomer Ethaniel Davy, whose character Jacob Omari took centre stage in the sad trafficking plot, also shared how much he loved working with the soap icon. Jonny shared: "Another long-lost sister! It's honestly the best working with Gemma.
"She is such a joy, she brings such a bouncy energy to set. She gets stuck in to storylines, she holds no prisoners, she's just a ruthless and fantastic character. It really brings in that female power character to the show."
Ethaniel agreed: "Gemma is so lovely. Clare can be sympathetic as well though. She's not just pure evil, she has a soft side and a bit of a backstory, and she has another side to her. Sometimes she's got the wrong intentions but for the right reasons."
Actor Ethaniel was thrilled to rejoin the show recently, having first joined earlier in the year. He told us: "It's definitely a new experience for me. It's lovely, I've enjoyed it.
"It's great and I am very grateful. We've just got to see how the storyline goes!" On the fans backing his character, he went on: "It was lovely because to get the role was a big thing, and then it was brilliant to keep going after a few months of not working.
"I got called back, and so getting good feedback was great to hear." He also praised co-star Jonny for "showing him the ropes" and looking after him on set.
As for Jonny, he welcomed the changes to his character as fans have gotten to see a different side to him. He told us: "You have got this thing with Rex where he is a product of his environment and unfortunately, even since doing the storyline, the sex trafficking storyline, it's way more common than people realise.
"It seems like such a wild storyline but it's something that affects so many people in the UK, specifically the younger generation. It's that passed-on trauma. I'm glad we've got to see these sides to Rex now.
"We can understand where it all comes form because when I first joined it was six months of arguments, fights and him being a villain. It was cool but he's got a nice undertone now. The love interest with Ste has taken him by surprise.
"But it has shown him there is a way out from that life. I think that roundedness now is really beautiful to play. He still doesn't back down easy and he's not a push-around though. It is just a dream role honestly, to play a character like that. I have always wanted to play a troubled character with depth."
His comments about Ste, and Rex turning his life around could be a hint at what's ahead with a happy future. But with Rex currently in prison, will he find a way back to the village?
Get the latest drama from the Dales by joining our Emmerdale WhatsApp group
As drama continues to unfold in the Yorkshire Dales, the Mirror has launched its very own Emmerdale WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest breaking news, secrets, and spoilers delivered straight to your phone.
Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.
We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
9 minutes ago
- Times
The Couple Next Door finale review — the swingers go ludicrous
When I reviewed the first episode of The Couple Next Door (Channel 4) I wrote approvingly that it seemed as if it might be a little less crazed than series one and its swinger neighbours. That'll teach me. The finale was completely, utterly off its head. Watching it was like fever-dreaming after a night on the cheese and port plus a tab of LSD. Were we really expected to believe that Jacob (Sam Palladio), the mild-mannered, slightly dull anaesthetist, would turn overnight into a mad, conniving wife-killer because he feared being exposed for making a clinical error in not giving a patient potassium, which caused his death? Or something. Yes, Jacob probably would go to prison for framing the hot nurse Mia (Aggy K Adams) for it, but please. Would he really try to murder the love of his life just because she said she'd sussed him? He took her to the partly built new hospital wing and gave her coffee laced with morphine … in the middle of a busy day at work! Hello? What about cameras? And why were there conveniently no workmen there, even though the building was still being finished? 'It'll be over soon,' he said like a true baddie as Charlotte (Annabel Scholey) staggered like a shot stag and he used her phone to write a fake suicide note. • The Couple Next Door review — C4's hottest drama is still shameless 'You're having a breakdown!' she managed to say before passing out, a ludicrous bit of exposition. These four words supposedly explained his complete character change to instant psychopath. If this is what real hospitals are like — medics popping illegal pills and altering patient records, senior doctors having threesomes with the sexy new nurse from Norway — no wonder you can't get your hip replacement. This scene was even more preposterous than the one earlier in the series when Charlotte passed out on the sofa after too much wine and Jacob and Mia had sex on a chair 2ft away when his wife could have woken at any second. What a pity Alan the pervert (Hugh Dennis) didn't have his telescope out that night. The content would have sustained him for weeks. Actually I'll say this for The Couple Next Door, which is based on the Dutch series Nieuwe Buren: there aren't many series that would make the local peeping Tom the hero and have his voyeurism save the day. If he hadn't been training his big instrument on Mia in her house, he wouldn't have seen that she was being terrorised by her former therapist, with his terrible man bun and who had abused her as a traumatised teenager, and managed to save her. Dirty old man in woolly hat comes good! Actually, Alan was the best character in it, having been in the first series a completely unlikeable perv who treated his wife selfishly. In this series he found his redemption by showing shame, contrition and genuine kindness to Charlotte's dementia-suffering father, Henry (Jeff Rawle). There was even a sniff of romance with Yvonne (Tanya Moodie) and the possibility that he would look after Henry while Charlotte went off to do good works in Mozambique (don't ask), presumably while Jacob rotted in jail, something she seemed to get over pretty sharpish. • Read more TV reviews, guides about what to watch and interviews Just when I thought it couldn't get any more ludicrous it ended with Mia in Antwerp working as a tour guide wearing a ridiculous wig and eyeing up the next couple she was going to seduce into a throuple. Hilarious. You're probably thinking: surely they can't wring another sex and swingers series out of Appleby Drive, Leeds? (Yes, I know it looks more like a suburb of LA.) Oh, I think they probably can. I just pray that next time it isn't the newly reformed Alan throwing his car keys in the fruit bowl.★★☆☆☆ Love TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows, the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer, the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our critics' choices to what to watch this week, and browse our comprehensive TV guide
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Sharon Osbourne breaks silence as she responds to touching Ozzy tributes after her beloved husband's death aged 76
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHARON Osbourne has broken her silence by responding to touching tributes paid to her beloved late husband Ozzy. The iconic singer - dubbed the Prince of Darkness - passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, it was confirmed yesterday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 10 Ozzy with his wife Sharon Credit: Rex 10 Sharon responded to Jack Saunders' tribute Credit: Instagram 10 The pair married in 1982 Credit: Corbis 10 Ozzy and Sharon in 1986 with their three kids Jack, Kelly & Aimee Credit: Getty - Contributor Now, his loving wife Sharon has responded to fans sending their condolences on social media. She replied to one message shared by musician Gavin Rossdale. The Bush singer posted a picture of himself with Ozzy on Instagram, with the caption: "RIP OZZY - a great man - a true legend - I met Ozzy through Jack just a few times, but he was so warm and kind and funny and I love that memory. "Sending much love to his family at this difficult time. Rest in power." Sharon wrote underneath "bless you" in acknowledgement of the tribute. The late rock star's wife also replied to BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders' message of support. "Jack thank you for your tribute to Ozzy tonight, bless you," she commented. Ozzy died at the family mansion in Buckinghamshire with his wife Sharon, 72, and four of his six children by his side. Thames Valley Air Ambulance confirmed an air ambulance was dispatched to 'provide advanced critical care'. Sharon — married for 43 years — said in a joint statement that he had been 'surrounded by love'. Ozzy Osbourne top five greatest moments Ozzy's life changed forever when Sharon Levy turned up at the door in 1970. He later said of the woman who became his second wife: 'If it weren't for her, without a shadow of a doubt, I would be dead.' Sharon, then 27, was the daughter of Black Sabbath's manager Don Arden. They'd first met when she was 18 and working as her dad's receptionist. 10 Ozzy on tour in Las Vegas in 2002 with his beloved Sharon by his side Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 10 Sharon and Ozzy as youngsters Credit: Getty - Contributor 10 Ozzy and Sharon pictured in Brazil in 1985 The singer wrote in his autobiography I Am Ozzy: 'I fell for Sharon so badly, man.' Sharon convinced the wreck that he could be a solo star, and that she should be the one to manage him. In one of his last interviews, Ozzy described the reality TV star and X Factor judge as his 'soulmate'. He said: 'Sometimes I love her, sometimes I don't love her, sometimes I'm angry with her, sometimes I'm crazy about her, sometimes I'm very jealous of her, sometimes I wanna f***ing kill her. 'But through it all, at the end of the day, I love her more than anything in the world.' As Sharon took over running Ozzy's professional life, the Brummie lad quickly realised that he had never met a woman like her before. In his 2009 biography, I Am Ozzy, he revealed: 'I'd never come across a girl who was like me. Wherever we went, we were always the drunkest and the loudest. 'I learned that when Sharon is on a mission, she'll throw herself at it, lock, stock and barrel, and not stop fighting until well after the bell's rung. 'I trusted Sharon like I'd never trusted anyone before on the business side of things.' Not only did she become mother to his three children Aimee, Kelly and Jack but she also got things back on track. Wild and hilarious Ozzy stories 1. Ozzy once told Sharon: 'Don't cremate me, whatever you do. 'I want to be put in the ground, in a nice garden somewhere, with a tree over my head. 'A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get pissed out of their heads. 'As for what they'll put on my headstone, I ain't under any illusions. 'If I close my eyes, I can already see it: 'Ozzy Osbourne, born 1948 'Died, whenever. 'He bit the head off a bat.' 2. Ozzy decided to stop using acid while recording Black Sabbath album Vol 4. He said: 'I took ten tabs of acid then went for a walk in a field. 'I ended up standing there talking to this horse for about an hour. 'In the end, the horse turned around and told me to f**k off. 'That was it for me.' 3. The rocker began tattooing himself as a teenager while growing up in Birmingham. He said: 'I even put a smiley face on each of my knees to cheer myself up when I was sitting on the bog in the morning.' Decades later he had 'thanks' tattooed on his right palm. He said: 'It seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. 'How many times do you say 'thanks' to people during your lifetime? 'Tens of thousands, probably. 'Now all I had to do was raise my right hand.' 4. The Osbournes had a donkey called Sally, who used to sit in the living room with Ozzy and watch Match Of The Day. 5. Former slaughterhouse worker Ozzy claimed to have killed his family's cats while high. He recalled: 'I was taking drugs so much I was a f***ed. 'The final straw came when I shot all our cats. 'We had about 17, and I went crazy and shot them all. 'My wife found me under the piano in a white suit – a shotgun in one hand and a knife in the other.' 6. The Prince of Darkness was interested in the Bible. He said: 'I've tried to read it several times. 'But I've only ever got as far as the bit about Moses being 720 years old, and I'm like, 'What were these people smoking back then?'' 7. Ozzy met the late Queen at the Royal Variety Performance. He recalled: 'I was standing next to Cliff Richard. 'She took one look at the two of us, and said, 'Oh, so this is what they call variety, is it?' then cracked up laughing. 'I honestly thought Sharon must have slipped some acid into my cornflakes that morning.' 8. Ozzy loved putting hidden messages in songs. He said: 'On No Rest For The Wicked, if you play Bloodbath In Paradise backwards, you can clearly hear me saying, 'Your mother sells whelks in Hull'.' Debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz, with big numbers like Crazy Train, Suicide Solution and Mr Crowley, appeared in September 1980, and eventually sold more than five million copies. Sharon also amped up his satanic image, encouraging stage antics such as flinging animal entrails into the audience. Sharon and Ozzy wed in Hawaii on July 4, 1982. However, in 1989 Ozzy's hardcore partying lifestyle took a sinister turn when he tried to strangle Sharon. Although the couple have famously spoken about how they both gave as good as they got, the incident saw Ozzy seek help for his drug use. She agreed not to press charges if he went to rehab - a decision that allowed the artist to continue performing and become the icon he is remembered as today. Along with Sharon and his kids, they became global TV sensations through their groundbreaking fly-on-the-wall documentary The Osbournes. It was such a smash hit that it paved the way for similar reality shows featuring Paris Hilton and later The Kardashians. Sharon was also by Ozzy's side throughout his health battles over the years, The rockstar suffered a spinal injury after an accident at his LA home in 2019 that required him to undergo surgery on his neck. He was sadly diagnosed with Parkinson's the same year and revealed the sad news a year later in an emotional joint interview with Sharon. The singer told Good Morning America at the time that he couldn't hide his health struggles any longer. Explaining the condition, Sharon said: "It's Parkin 2 which is a form of Parkinson's. There are so many different types of Parkinson's. "It's not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination but it does affect the nerves in your body. "It's like you'll have a good day, then a good day and then a really bad day." Ozzy added: "A year ago I was in a terrible state. I'm on a host of medication, mainly for the surgery. "I've got numbness down this arm and my legs are going cold. I don't know if it's the Parkinson's or what. That's the problem." Following a spate of nasty injuries in 2022 Ozzy was also forced to cancel an upcoming tour after revealing he was "not physically capable" of the travel required. But the Black Sabbath star still took to the stage one final time with his band mates at Villa Park in Birmingham earlier this month. Only three weeks ago, the Prince of Darkness who brought light into so many lives gave us one last hurrah when heavy metal royalty descended on Villa Park, to pay their respects. The Back to the Beginning gig ended with him - seated on a giant black throne because he could not stand - joining his Black Sabbath muckers on the songs that took him to the world stage. The icon vowed, however, that it would be his final performance due to his deteriorating health. 'HE SECURED HIS PLACE IN THE PANTHEON OF ROCK GODS' Ozzy's death on Tuesday drew condolences from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John. And yesterday friends said many big names wanted to salute the bat-munching, self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, who became a national treasure. Such a service would be held ahead of a smaller private funeral. A source told The Sun: 'There are conversations about a celebration of his life in Birmingham, the city that meant so much to him. 'Artists like Yungblud, who was seen by Ozzy as a musician who could carry on the mantle of what he started all those years ago, is expected to have a role in it. 'There are hundreds of big names who will want to pay their respects and celebrate his life and legacy, as well as thousands of fans who would line the streets to say goodbye.' A new documentary, No Escape From Now, is set to air on Paramount+ later this year, following his life since a fall in 2019 — before his Parkinson's diagnosis — left him needing a series of ops on his back and neck. Tributes poured in for the legendary singer from across the music world. Sir Elton John shared a photo of himself alongside Ozzy with the message: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. "To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx" Singer-songwriter Yungblud wrote on X: "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. "But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don't. "I will never forget you - you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. "Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. "You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. "You took us on your adventure - an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time." Ozzy Osbourne's iconic career The singer then pursued his love of music after hearing The Beatles hit She Loves You in 1963, aged 15. After appearing in a handful of school plays, Ozzy joined Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler in their first group Rare Breed in 1967. When that band split, the pair reunited in Polka Tulk Blues alongside Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. The group later became known as Black Sabbath and went onto shatter the music world with their whining guitar solos, Occult-based lyrics and Ozzy's screeching vocals. In 1970, the group gained a cult following in both the US and UK after releasing their eponymous first album. Black Sabbath saw incredible success with hit tracks such as Paranoid but discord in the group saw most of the original line-up leave. Ozzy himself quit the band in 1978, with a spiral into drug abuse leading to a divorce from first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with. It was then he first met a young Sharon Arden, who Ozzy at first wrote off as he believed she would think he was a "lunatic". But the singer could not be more wrong and the pair married in Hawaii in July 1982 before going on to have three children together, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. With Sharon's encouragement and help from her music manager dad Don, he began to carve out a successful solo career. His seminal first album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 became a multi-platinum success thanks to Ozzy's howling vocals and macabre laugh on hit Crazy Train. Coupled with the Prince of Darkness' insane tour that saw him bite the head off a live bat, a string of successful tracks followed - cementing Ozzy as a rock legend around the world. In 1992, the singer announced his retirement but four years later created the beloved annual music festival Ozzfest with Sharon, which featured heavy metal acts touring the US and some of Europe. Ozzy returned to Black Sabbath in 1999, with the band winning a Grammy for best metal performance for the song Iron Man. They later earned the same award in 2013 after releasing single God Is Dead? from album 13. Queen icon Sir Brian May also paid tribute, saying Ozzy's final concert earlier in the month "was a glorious way to say goodbye" to the heavy metal vocalist. The guitarist said on social media: "So sad to hear of Ozzie's passing. "His last appearance at Villa Park was a glorious way to say goodbye - the love in that place for him was gigantic. "I'm grateful I was able to have a few quiet words with him after the show. And happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by." He added: "But the world will miss Ozzie's unique presence and fearless talent. My heartfelt consolations to Sharon and their great family. "And to Bill (Ward) and Geezer (Butler) and my dear friend Tony (Iommi) - for this is family - I know only too well. REST IN PEACE dear Ozzie. Bri." 10 The Osbourne Clan remained a solid unit throughout the decades Credit: PA 10 Ozzy credited Sharon with saving his life in interviews over the years Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
39 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Home and Away star, Olympians and MAFS groom's ex sign up for revamped Celeb SAS as show shake up is revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELEBRITY SAS have signed up THREE major stars for the next series of the show after a ground-breaking show twist was confirmed. The hit Channel 4 programme has been busy selecting its celebrity recruits for the seventh series of the show - with filming taking place in Morocco. 4 Celeb SAS have signed up three new Aussies as part of the revamped format Credit: Pete Dadds / Channel 4 4 Actor Axel Whitehead will be on the line-up Credit: Getty 4 Top Olympian Emily Seebohm is also among the stars who have signed up Credit: Getty Earlier this week, The Sun told how in a huge new move the UK and Aussie editions would be merged with major stars from both countries coming together for the series which will be aired simultaneously on Channel 4 in the UK and the Seven Network in Australia. Now, we can exclusively reveal three of the stars who will be appearing on the next run. Home and Away hunk Axel Whitehead will be appearing on the show after rising to international fame for playing Liam Murphy on the show between 2009 and 2013. The actor also appeared briefly in fellow Aussie soap Neighbours in 2020. He will be joined by two Olympic swimmers - including one with a famous reality star ex. 29-year-old Swimming champ Mack Horton and fellow Olympian, Emily Seebohm will also be on the cast. Emily shares a child with MAFS heartthrob Ryan Gallagher although the pair are no longer together. Ryan is best known for his time on the hit reality show as well as his brief romance with Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby during their time on the Aussie version of I'm A Celebrity. A source told The Sun of the three latest recruits: 'Bosses are working hard to make sure they sign an exciting variety of Aussie talent for the new series because of the format change. 'Soap fans will be no stranger to Axel after his time in both Home and Away and Neighbours, so he's a great coup for the show. Watch as Celeb SAS Who Dares wins star Bianca Gascoigne QUITS show right at the very end of series 'And Olympic champions Emily and Mack are both extremely fit and strong after years of professional swimming. They're going to take the challenge very seriously.' Two other Aussies have so far been revealed for the programme including soap star and singer Natalie Bassingthwaite and Jessika Power, who rose to fame on Married At First Sight Australia. Jess has since relocated to England appearing on British shows including Celebs Go Dating and Celebrity Ex On The Beach. Other UK stars who are understood to have signed up for the next series include Love Island winner Dani Dyer and Strictly hunk and rugby player, Ben Cohen. Gladiators star Phantom AKA Toby Olubi will also be proving his stuff on the show alongside TikTok star Jack Joseph, 25. England cricketer Graeme Swann, Love Island champ Gabby Allen and TikTok star Cole Anderson James are also understood to be on the line-up.
