| Tony Hutchinson | |||||||||||||||
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| Nick Pickard as Tony in 2010. | |||||||||||||||
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Nick Pickard | ||||||||||||||
| Created by | Phil Redmond | ||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1995— | ||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 23 October 1995 | ||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | Hollyoaks: Movin' On (2001) Hollyoaks Later |
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| Profile | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 30 October 1977 | ||||||||||||||
| Home | 1 Oakdale Drive | ||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Businessman (1995-2010) Chef (1995–2010, 2011) Spa manager (2011) Café manager (2011—) |
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Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day. The character was created by Phil Redmond as one of several main characters for the soap opera and since then has been part of various storylines including an affair with Helen Cunningham (Kathryn George), the death of his daughter to sudden infant death syndrome and sleeping with underage Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter).
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Tony is one of the original Hollyoaks characters introduced by Phil Redmond during 1995 after the creation of the soap opera. As of 2010, Pickard is the longest serving cast member in the serial's history and the only original character left.[1] In 2009, tabloid newspaper Daily Star reported that Pickard had quit the role and was "disgusted" with series producer Paul Marquess following the axing of his real life brother John Pickard as Dominic Reilly.[2] Pickard later announced that he had no plans to leave the serial.[1][3]
Virgin Media profiled Tony, of his persona they state: "Pompous and irritating at times, Tony has also provided plenty of slapstick." They also comment on his relationships, writing: "After inexplicably romancing some of the numerous blondes in the series, Tony's suffered enough personal tragedy to garner some sympathy."[4]
Tony's relationship with Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper) was often strained by Jacqui's desire for children. In one storyline Jacqui's sister Tina McQueen (Leah Hackett) agrees to be a surrogate mother for her child.[5] The storyline was included to help house many lies and secrets that had previously been built up prior, including Tony's affair with Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) and Tina's affair with Russ Owen (Stuart Manning), of which Kirkwood stated there was "there's so much ammunition in store", which would eventually devastate Jacqui and Tony.[5] Kirkwood also devised the plot to show of Pickard's skills in playing tragedy, of this he commented: "It'll also give Claire Cooper and Nick Pickard another opportunity to show off their acting talents. Tony and Jacqui are one of those couples that we can have fun with - but also will blow the audience away when dealing with tragedy."[5]
In a later storyline Tony announces his intentions to marry Cindy Hutchinson (Stephanie Waring), prompting Jacqui to try and talk Tony out of it.[6] Cooper has stated that she believes that her character is meant to be with Tony because "he is the love of Jacqui's life" and that hearing their engagement makes Jacqui feel like she "has a knife in her back."[6] Cooper also hopes one day that the pair will reunite stating: "Jacqui needs to move on right now, but ultimately I'd prefer the story to come full circle and lead back to Tony."[6] Cooper also revealed that at the time she was often approached by fans asking her when the couple would reconcile.[6] Pickard has also stated he didn't think Cindy was right for him stating: "I don't think she's the one for him, to be honest.[7] He also adds he believed Jacqui to be the love of Tony's life.[7]
Tony's main backstory was never originally established. He comes from a British-German background, this was discovered in 2009 that his great-grandfather was German, who fought against the Britain in the First World War. Pickard's real-life brother John Pickard joined the soap in 2005 as Tony's cousin Dom Reilly. It was later revealed that they were both half-brothers.
Tony comes up with a new scheme to save money, as he implements a recycling system in his house for the student tenants. He encourages them to eat a high fibre diet after learning that the more waste his new system collects, the more money he receives. He discovers that as a result of the system, he is drinking his own urine. Tony runs for council, but is defeated by Gordon Cunningham. Finn and Ruth tell Tony to buy out Lewis's share of The Loft because of his financial problems. Tony agrees and Finn repays the favour by investing into Tony’s new restaurant. Moving away from Hollyoaks Village with Ruth and Finn, Tony focuses on his new business venture Gnosh, in Hollyoaks: Movin' On. He receives bad news that Ruth has been beaten up by Lewis, who then commits suicide due to guilt over his actions. Tony is asked by Lewis's mum, Helen, to perform the eulogy at Lewis's funeral.
After Lewis's death, Tony decides to make the most of life, and moves back to Hollyoaks Village to concentrate on running his businesses. Finn had decides to leave Hollyoaks, as does Ruth, leaving Tony lonely. Tony starts dating Izzy Cornwell. Tony then buys Deva from Andy Morgan. He ends up renaming it to Gnosh Village. Tony then receives a shock when ex-fiancée, Julie Matthews, returns to Hollyoaks. Tony is delighted to see her and offers her a job at Gnosh. Izzy gets suspicious and does not like the idea of Tony and Julie working together. Izzy suggests to Tony that they get married, which Tony agrees. However, he has a one-night stand with Julie and asks her to marry him, which she accepts. Tony makes Julie and Izzy promise to keep their engagement a secret. During filming for a cookery show, Julie and Izzy fight and discover Tony is engaged to both of them. Izzy and Julie both dump Tony. Tony realises he loves Julie and asks her to stay, however she reveals she wanted him so she could steal his money as she has a boyfriend in prison.
Tony becomes a supportive friend of Helen Cunningham, who is having a marriage crisis. He helps her with her new laundrette shop, Washed Up. The pair end up falling for each other and they start an affair. Sam "O.B." O'Brien catches them together. Tony tries to persuade OB not to tell anyone from the Cunningham family, but OB tells Max Cunningham. Tony promises Max that he has finished with Helen, Max agrees to keep their affair a secret. Tony continues his affair with Helen. Tony is then made homeless so Gordon insists he stays with the Cunningham family. The situation is uncomfortable for Tony, as Max puts pressure on him to find another home. Max has enough of Tony and Helen's lies and tells Gordon about the affair. Tony moves out, and moves onto the barge, but is shocked when Helen decides to move in with him. Tony does not want to cause any trouble and he tells Helen she belongs with Gordon. Eventually, he is persuaded to take Helen in with him. The whole village finds out about their affair and Tony tries to persuade Helen to move back in with Gordon for Tom and Mandy's sake, which she does
Tony then starts dating Mandy. The couple leave for Rome, where they marry on February 10, 2005. After a miscarriage, Mandy gives birth to Grace Hutchinson. However, Grace sadly dies from suspected SIDS on a night where Hannah Ashworth and Nancy Hayton are babysitting. Tony struggles to accept Grace's death and places blame on many people, including Hannah and Nancy. Tony turns to alcohol, which turns Mandy into the arms of his half-brother, Dom Reilly. Tony gets counselling, however it is too late and Mandy leaves him.
Tony begins a relationship with Jacqui McQueen. The relationship has to remain secret due to Jacqui's fake marriage to Aleksander Malota. During Mercedes and Tina McQueen's double wedding to Russ Owen and Dom Reilly, Jacqui admits to Tony that she is pregnant. Sadly, she loses the baby. Alek then leaves for Albania. Jacqui goes off the rails and is arrested for shoplifting. Tony declares his love for Jacqui to her in Il Gnosh. Jacqui and Tony decide to adopt a child, however, Jacqui's criminal record is revealed to the social services, who tell them it is unlikely they will be able to adopt.
Tony turns thirty and Jacqui plans to reward him with a stripper pole and sexy lingerie. Tina throws a surprise party and invites everyone in his address book. Tony is tipped off when old friend Jambo sends him a text saying he could not make it. Sending invites to everyone meant Tony's ex-fiancées, Julie, Izzy, and [[ells him she cannot have children either. Tessie shows up in the middle of the party and reveals she had lied about not being pregnant and has an eight year old son called Harry Thompson. Jacqui grows jealous and forces Tony to choose between her and Harry, which results in him choosing Harry. A drunken Tony ends up sleeping with, and impregnating, Jacqui's sister, Mercedes. Tony and Jacqui reconcile and Jacqui tries to convince Mercedes to let them raise the baby after Mercedes books an abortion. However, Mercedes goes through with it.
Tina volunteers to have a baby for Jacqui and Tony. Dom finds out and tells her not to as he wants her to only have their children. Tina and Dom end their relationship soon after he does not support her when she is sexually harassed at work, which led to a one-night-stand with Russ. Tina inseminates herself with Tony's sperm. Dom returns and is not happy. Tina discovers she is pregnant. Dom tries to get her to have an abortion, however she refuses and he accepts her decision.
Tina goes to hospital for her 12-week pre-natal scan, it is then revealed that the baby is in fact 15 weeks old and therefore must have been conceived when she slept with Russ. Tina gives birth after being pushed down stairs by secret brother, Niall Rafferty. She has a baby son, Max McQueen, named after deceased Max Cunningham. Tony becomes over-protective of Max, not wanting to lose him after Grace. Tina, who has to undergo an emergency hysterectomy, decides to raise Max as her own son, leaving Tony and Jacqui devastated. Tony is more devastated to discover Russ is the father. After Tina dies and she finds out about his fling with Mercedes, Jacqui ends her relationship with Tony, who planned to propose, she then changes Max's second name to McQueen.
Tony and Russ go to the Loft at a 'school disco' themed night. Russ introduces Tony to a girl named Theresa and, after a few drinks, Tony takes her back to his flat, where they sleep together. The next day, Theresa begins following Tony, not realising it was just a one-night-stand. Tony tries to tell her this but she does not listen. Theresa then reveals she is only 15. A shocked Tony tells her to leave and never to return again. Theresa runs out in tears to her cousin - Jacqui. She wants advice from Michaela, who is not there. Theresa shows Myra and Jacqui who she slept with and point to Tony. Jacqui hits Tony and calls him a paedophile. Tony is then arrested, where he tries to lie by telling them nothing happened between him and Theresa. However, a witness from The Loft tells the police that Tony kept buying Theresa drinks, they then charge Tony for having sexual activity with children. After this, Tony becomes increasingly paranoid, thinking everyone is talking about him. Cindy Cunningham even stops her daughter Holly from seeing Tony.
Tony has a one-night-stand with his former wife, Mandy. Jacqui decides to apologise to Tony after the charges are dropped and Theresa admits she never told him her age. Tony then leaves Hollyoaks with Mandy and her daughter Ella after her affair with Warren Fox is revealed at his wedding to Louise Summers.
Tony returns after three months away with Mandy. Tony began to have visits from Harry. After Max is taken by Russ, Jacqui asks Tony to hire a private investigator, which infuriates Dom. Jacqui then leaves for France to find Max. Tony grows closer with Cindy. The pair sleep together and begin a relationship. When Jacqui returns, she is horrified to find out about Tony and Cindy's relationship. Tony decides to take Cindy and Holly on holiday, however drops the plans when Holly hints that Cindy wants to get married. Dom then taunts Cindy about Tony finally seeing her true colours. Cindy is comforted by Darren Osborne in her flat. The pair begin to kiss and undress just as Tony walks in however they do get back together unbeknown to him Cindy and Darren are planning to scam him out of his money so Darren can buy back The Dog.
Cindy and Tony make up and later get in engaged, but he reveals to Dom that he does not really love Cindy. Cindy, Tony, Dom, Darren and Cindy's friend Savannah go to a hotel for the wedding. Darren continues his jealousy and pays a woman to seduce him before sending him to a farm in the middle of nowhere. Tony is found and confesses to sleeping with another woman to Cindy, who then reveals her plans to scam him. Cindy and Tony then agree to get married, which they do despite interruptions by Darren and Jacqui. After constantly struggling with Holly, Tony and Cindy discuss sending her to a boarding school. Holly overhears the conversation and is upset, blaming Tony for trying to get rid of her. Holly later catches Tony giving Theresa a friendly kiss and taunts him over it. He grabs Holly and she runs home. This led to Holly running away. Cindy blames Tony for her disappearance. However, she is eventually found. To get their marriage back on track, Tony and Cindy agree to move. Tony views properties in Wales. He witnesses Gabby Sharpe being run over. He helps her and stays by her bedside to care for her. During this time, Tony realises he does not love Cindy, so ends their marriage. After getting divorced, Cindy is convinced that Tony had been having an affair with Gabby, but he reassures her. Gabby and her child Taylor and Amber move into Tony's flat to get away from Gabby's husband Phil. Amber does not appear to like Tony, and gets her father when she catches Tony and Gabby kissing.
Taylor admits to Tony that Phil has a whole other family. Tony does not what to do with this information when Gabby lets Phil sleep over his house when he is caught for drink driving. Eventually, they tell Gabby everything and she tells Tony she loves him for the first time in front of Phil. Mandy returns to the village and is angry at Tony for leaving her in Laos when they left the previous year. Behind his back, she plots revenge with Warren, who despite apparently being dead, Tony sees. Tony admits to Dom that he is financially in trouble, and has been losing money since Holly's disappearance. Dom vows to help his brother, and goes to Warren for money. On the same night, Il Gnosh is set fire to by an unseen arsonist. The fire spreads to Tony's flat and Steph Roach is killed. This leads the police to believe that Tony started the fire for insurance, but in actual fact it is revealed by Dom's confession to Brendan Brady that he started the fire to destroy his laptop with a picture of Amber, in order to prevent people thinking he's a paedophile and to help Tony with his insurance. Tony is disgusted to discover this and shocked at his behaviour and calls the police. Despite Dom's pleas to run away without telling the police, Tony disagrees and stands by him. The police arrive and arrests Dom.
After The Sharpe's leave Hollyoaks, Tony opens up a new Spa where Il Gnosh was, naming it "Look Sharpe". At the opening night Suzanne Ashworth goes into labour and gives birth to twins in the spa. Soon after Tony sells the spa to Cindy but remains manager until he is replaced by Mandy who once again returns to the village. On 20 May 2011 Tony left to go travelling after Gabby said that she was not coming back, he says goodbye to Mandy but Rhys takes his taxi so Myra takes him on Bart's scooter. When he returned he had redefined himself and acted carefree.
Tony becomes the manager of a new cafe in the village called College Coffee, therefore going into competition with Darren, but later agrees to stop selling smoothies as Darren is trying to make MOOBS work for Steph.
Pickard was nominated at the 2002 British Soap Awards in the category of 'Best Comedy Performance'.[1] In her book Soap Stars, Debbie Foy refers to Tony as having lived through several dramatic episodes.[1] At the awards the following year he was nominated for 'Best Actor' and again for 'Best Comedy Performance'.[8] Website Women Republic stated that Tony was one of Hollyoaks' top five characters.[9] In a 2009 poll by Loaded magazine, Tony was voted eighth in the 'Top Soap Bloke' of all time, losing to Australian soap opera Neighbours character Harold Bishop, played by Ian Smith respectively.[10] In her book Soap Stars, Debbie Foy describes Tony as being famous for his "many on-screen relationships, affairs and engagements" but always has plenty of heartache.[1] The Daily Star described Tony as a going "through more women than he’s served hot meals in his restaurant Gnosh." and a "loser-in-love". They also commented that after dumping Cindy "this time he’s only got himself to blame." [11] Sky said on the character "Tony Hutchinson is our fave character on the show. Probably because he's been on it the WHOLE time since it started in 1995".[12]
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