Actor’s exit closes chapter on two-year storyline
Jonny Labey’s stint on Channel 4’s soap Hollyoaks has come to an end after two years, with his character Rex Gallagher shown to have been shot and later found dead in a recent episode released on the show’s streaming platform.
The scenes, which aired on Tuesday (July 21), see a character called Darren discover a body at a garage; the corpse was subsequently confirmed as Rex. The programme did not disclose who fired the fatal shot, leaving the identity of the killer unresolved.
"I know that characters were being developed and what they’ve come up with for Rex is terrifying but also brilliant!"
Labey first joined the cast in 2024, introduced as a former gang member and the son of Fraser and Grace Black. During his tenure he featured in prominent storylines including human trafficking and a relationship with the character Ste. Prior to Hollyoaks, Labey had appeared in EastEnders.
Reaction from viewers and the narrative impact
The decision to kill the character has produced mixed responses among viewers. Discussions on social platforms show a variety of opinions: some viewers welcomed the exit on character grounds, while others argued the death felt sudden and called for further exploration of Rex’s storyline before such a decisive end.
- Some fans praised Labey’s performance but criticised the characterisation.
- Others said Rex deserved a more developed conclusion.
- Many expressed curiosity about who will be revealed as the shooter in future episodes.
The unresolved nature of the shooting creates immediate dramatic potential for the soap’s continuing episodes, offering writers multiple directions: a whodunit, revenge arcs, or deeper investigations into the character networks surrounding Rex.
Context and chronology
Below is a brief summary of key facts relating to Labey’s time on the programme:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joined Hollyoaks | 2024 |
| Final scenes aired | 21 July 2026 |
| Notable past role | EastEnders |
For local viewers in Hillingdon and across the UK who follow the soap, the exit of a central character such as Rex is likely to dominate watercooler conversation and social feeds for the coming days. The show’s writers have left the immediate mystery intact, ensuring that speculation and engagement will continue as the plot unfolds.
Further developments will be reported as Channel 4 releases more episodes and any official statements on casting or storyline directions emerge.
