JERSEY born TV star and former EastEnders actor Jonny Labey is set to tap into his villainous side as he takes up a new role on Hollyoaks from next week.
Mr Labey, who grew up in Grouville and went to Victoria College, will appear as Rex on the Channel 4 soap and come into contact with lead characters Ste Hay and Warren Fox as they venture into the criminal underworld.
Making the announcement on social media, Mr Labey said: “There we have it folks, REX is coming to your screens next week.”
In an interview with Metro, he said since turning 30 he had been excited to play “grittier characters” and teased that he had worked with stunt advisers in his scenes as Rex.
The long-running soap, which follows residents and college students in the fictional village of Hollyoaks in Chester, has recently transferred to streaming and YouTube, and Mr Labey was also enthused about its growing audience in the US.
His role marks the second time Mr Labey has starred in a role in a soap after making waves as Paul Coker on EastEnders in 2015 and 2016, appearing in 106 episodes.
His character fell in love with Ben Mitchell, but was later killed off in a homophobic attack.
Since then, he has appeared on ITV talent shows Dance Dance Dance and The X Factor: Celebrity, and he has announced plans to direct his first short film.
Son of Grouville Constable Mark Labey, Mr Labey presented the JEP’s Pride of Jersey Awards alongside Georgi Mottram in 2021.
Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day.
