Tony Hutchinson
Tony Hutchinson | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Nick Pickard | ||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 1995–present | ||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | Episode 1 23 October 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||
Created by | Phil Redmond | ||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Phil Redmond | ||||||||||||||||||||
Spin-off appearances |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tony Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. His first appearance on-screen occurred on 23 October 1995, the inaugural episode of the programme, and is the longest-serving character in the soap. The character was created by Phil Redmond, as one of several main characters for the show.
Tony has been part of various storylines, including marriages to
Storylines
Tony begins a relationship with Julie. Julie and Tony become engaged but she leaves him at the altar. Tony and
Tony moves back to Hollyoaks Village. Tony begins dating Izzy Cornwell (Elize du Toit). Tony buys Gnosh Village. Julie returns to Hollyoaks and Tony offers her a job at Gnosh Village. Izzy suggests to Tony that they get married, which Tony agrees to. Tony has sex with Julie and asks her to marry him, which she accepts. Tony makes Julie and Izzy promise to keep their engagements a secret. Discovering they are both engaged to Tony, they end their relationships with him. Tony realises he loves Julie and asks her to stay, however she reveals she only wanted him so she could steal his money as she has a boyfriend in prison. Tony supports Lewis's mother Helen Cunningham (Kathryn George), who is having a marital crisis. The pair begin an affair. Tony begins living with the Cunningham family but moves out after the affair is revealed to Helen's husband Gordon Cunningham (Bernard Latham).
Tony supports Helen's daughter
Tony begins a relationship with Jacqui McQueen. Due to Jacqui's fake marriage to
Tony meets Jacqui's cousin, Theresa at The Loft. Tony takes Theresa back to his flat, where they have sex. Theresa develops feelings for Tony and soon reveals she is fifteen years old. Tony tells her not contact him further. Jacqui discovers that they had sex and hits Tony before calling him a paedophile. When arrested, Tony lies to the police that nothing happened between him and Theresa. A witness tells the police that Tony bought Theresa several drinks, they then charge Tony for having sexual activity with children. Tony becomes paranoid, thinking everyone is talking about him. Tony has sex with Mandy. Jacqui apologise to Tony after the charges are dropped and Theresa admits she never told him her age. Tony then leaves Hollyoaks Village with Mandy and her daughter Ella after her affair with Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) is revealed at his wedding. Tony returns without Mandy. Harry begins visiting Tony. When Russ takes Max, Tony agrees to hire a private investigator for Jacqui who then leaves to find Max.
Tony grows close to Cindy. The pair have sex and soon after begin a relationship. When Jacqui returns, she is horrified to find out about Tony and Cindy's relationship. Tony decides to take Cindy and her daughter, Holly (Lydia Waters), on holiday, however decides not to 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 in her flat. The pair kiss which Tony witnesses. Cindy and Tony reunite and later become engaged, but Tony reveals to Dom that he does not really love Cindy. Cindy, Tony, Dom, Darren and Cindy's friend Savannah (Nicola Stapleton) go to a hotel for the wedding. Darren pays a woman to seduce Tony before he has Tony left naked at a farm. Tony is found and confesses to having sex with another woman to Cindy, who then reveals she and Darren had planned to scam him. Cindy and Tony then agree to get married, which they do despite interruptions by Darren and Jacqui.
Tony and Cindy discuss sending Holly to a boarding school. Holly overhears the conversation and is upset, blaming Tony for trying to get rid of her. Holly taunts Tony who grabs her, causing her to run away. Cindy blames Tony for her disappearance. However, she is eventually found. To stop their marriage ending, Tony and Cindy decide to move away from Hollyoaks Village. Tony cares for Gabby Sharpe while she is in hospital. Tony realises he does not love Cindy, so ends their marriage. They soon after divorce. Gabby's son, Taylor, admits to Tony that Gabby's husband,
Mandy returns to the village and is angry at Tony for leaving her in Laos. With Warren's help, she plots revenge. Tony tells Dom he is in financial trouble. Dom vows to help his brother and asks Warren for a loan. Il Gnosh is set on fire and the fire spreads to Tony's flat. Tony's friend Steph Roach (Carley Stenson) is killed along with Mercedes' husband, Malachy Fisher (Glen Wallace). Tony is initially accused of starting the fire for insurance but Dom confesses he started the fire to destroy his laptop and to gain Tony insurance money. Tony discovers this and calls the police, who arrest Dom.
Tony opens a new Spa. He sells the spa to Cindy but remains manager. He is replaced by Mandy who once again returns to the village. Tony leaves Hollyoaks Village to go travelling after Gabby, who has previously left Hollyoaks Village, tells Tony that she is not coming back. Tony and Mandy reunite upon his return. Mandy leaves soon after, telling Tony through a note that the relationship is over. Tony becomes the manager of a new cafe in the village called College Coffee and gives Cindy a job and a place to stay when she becomes bankrupt. Tony and Cindy later reunite. Tony believes Cindy is pregnant so asks her to marry him. Cindy declines and is later angered when she discovers he only asked her because he thought she was pregnant. Tony buys Attwell's gym for them. Cindy later asks Tony to marry her and he accepts. Tony is involved in a car accident and becomes temporarily blind. He is told he will soon regain his sight. When Tony regains his sight he witnesses Cindy kissing
Jacqui then discovers that Rhys and Cindy had an affair and attacks Cindy causing her to go to hospital. Jacqui then drags Cindy to Rhys's grave where she attacks her and Cindy turns to Tony for comfort. Tony refuses to help Cindy, however, and makes it clear that he is on Jacqui's side. Jacqui is about to turn herself in to the police for the attack although Tony stops her. Tony and Jacqui then begin a relationship and Tony tells Cindy that if she reports Jacqui to the police then he will make her homeless. He then files for divorce. Jacqui then discovers that Tony knew about Rhys and Cindy's affair yet did not do anything so she breaks up with him. Jacqui becomes stressed when she is told to sell illegal vodka by her criminal boss,
Jacqui then begins working for Trudy again to get money as Mercedes is kidnapped by
Tony is then shocked when he discovers he has
In 2014, Tony falls for Sinead and she agrees to sleep with him so that she can film it and show Diane who she hates as Diane is blaming her for the death of her daughter,
On their wedding day, Diane discovers a letter written by Sinead to her mystery lover and realises at the altar that it is addressed to Tony. She flees without explanation, but later returns to marry Tony. At the reception, Diane announces that she knows Sinead was the woman Tony had an affair with, and that she only went through with the marriage to be able to divorce Tony and take all his assets, thus securing the children's future.
In 2015, Tony and Diane are left shocked to discover that Diane and
In 2018, Tony begins to struggle when his daughter Dee Dee is diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis. Unable to accept this, he leaves the village without informing Diane. Two months later, it is revealed that Tony has been staying with his former girlfriend Julie. Tony decides to return to the village after agreeing speaking with both Ste and Julie. He explains to Diane where he has been and she accepts his explanation. Diane understands that staying in the village proved to traumatic for Tony due to the painful memories connected to the loss of his daughter Grace. Upon his return Tony is thrilled to learn that Harry and Ste have are married. Although this is short-lived when he learns of Harry's secret past as a rent boy (and also of his torrid affair with James). Unable to deal with this he disowns Harry but later feels guilty after speaking with his mother. Tony admits to Ste how difficult he found it to accept Harry's sexuality and how it prevented Tony for being there for his son growing up. Tony and Harry repair their relationship and Harry agrees to let Tony stick around so that they can work on their relationship.
In 2019, Tony is attacked by
Creation
Tony is one of the original Hollyoaks characters introduced by
Development
Characterisation
Tony was originally described as a "loveable geek and the sort of guy who would instantly and completely fall in love". He is described as the "oldest friend" of Kurt Benson (Jeremy Edwards) and "the anithesis of Kurt, sensitive and keen to settle down, Tony lacked Kurt's confidence with women".[5] An early official Hollyoaks' website, Hollyoaks.com, described Tony as "A worrier, who lacks self-confidence but always does the decent thing".[6] A more recent official Hollyoaks website describes Tony saying: "Tony has had what you would call "a colourful life". Quite the Romeo, he has been married TWICE. [...] On top of that there's been numerous engagements, romances and flings [...] A natural-born entrepreneur, he has built (and lost) a business empire that would make Sir Alan [Sugar] proud, encompassing burger bars, launderettes, health spas and restaurants [...] He may be down but he's certainly not out. NEVER underestimate the Hutch".[7]
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."[8] What's on TV also profiled Tony stating: "The entrepreneur is a bit of a fuddy-duddy but he has never had any problems in the romance department. He must be the most fertile man in the village as he's got five women pregnant so far!"[9]
Relationships
Early relationships
Tony and
Tony and Ruth Osborne (Terri Dwyer) have a brief relationship before Ruth leaves Hollyoaks village. A few years later Ruth returns and tells Tony that she had become pregnant with his child but while away suffered a miscarriage. Dwyer felt Ruth didn't return to reunite with Tony but upon her return Ruth realised "she still cared" for Tony.[11] Dwyer explained that Tony's girlfriend, Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn), begins to feel jealous when Ruth and Tony spend time together. Mandy deliberately stands Tony up, leaving him alone with Ruth but "Tony doesn't do anything because he loves Mandy". Upon Tony discovering what Mandy has done he can't believe her lack of trust in him and begins to "wonder whether their relationship is as good as he thinks it is".[11] Dwyer said that Tony feels "vulnerable" so Ruth "goes in for the kill". Ruth and Tony sleep together leaving Tony feeling guilty.[11]
Mandy Richardson
Tony and Mandy begin a relationship. Dunn said that when she was first informed of the storyline she was surprised. She added that although she felt the pairing was unlikely, "it did actually work".
Jacqui McQueen
Tony's relationship with Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper) was often strained by Jacqui's desire for children. Tony and Jacqui agree to adopt. Pickard commented that adoption is "not something [Tony] even considered until Jacqui suggested it. Now he’s really into it though. They were both heartbroken when she lost the baby and found out she can never have children. Adoption could give them the family they desperately want".[16] Pickard explained that the couple love each other and do not "necessarily" need a child to seal their relationship but they want to begin a family together. Pickard stated that despite Jacqui's past, his character "sees some very good qualities in her".[16] The actor revealed that Tony tries to stay positive that the couple will be able to adopt despite Jacqui's criminal record. When the couple are told they can not adopt, Pickard said they are "devastated".[16] He went on to add that the couple's desire for children is "very strong" so they may go down other routes such as surrogacy.[16] When questioned if Jacqui is the one for Tony, his portrayer stated: "He's committed to her and wants them to be together. They have a connection even though they’re constantly splitting up and getting back together. Jacqui could well be his Mrs Right at last".[16] Pickard teased that "maybe [Tony] already has a child – or maybe he’ll get someone pregnant by accident..." He went on to add that "even by soap standards, Tony's had shocking luck".[16]
Tony and Jacqui's sister, Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), have sex. Metcalfe revealed the pair are "appalled" and can't believe what has happened when they wake up.[17] Metcalfe said that the pair don't like each other. Mercedes discovers she is pregnant with Tony's child.[17] Mercedes feels like Tony has "the right to know" she is expecting his child. Metcalfe explained that Tony is "horrified! He can't get his head round the idea that she's pregnant with his child".[17] Mercedes considers giving her baby to Jacqui but does not tell her Tony is the father. Mercedes decides not to go through with giving Jacqui her baby, which her portrayer explained saying: "She decides not to give Jacqui the baby even though Jacqui wants it. Mercedes can't cope with the fact that the baby's Tony's".[17] She went on to add that Mercedes would keep the baby herself but because it is Tony's baby and because of "all the baggage that comes with that" Mercedes decides to terminate the pregnancy. Metcalfe revealed that if Jacqui discovered Tony is the father of the baby Mercedes terminated then she would "go a bit psycho".[17]
In one storyline Jacqui's sister
Tony meets Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) on a night out at The Loft. Tony, unaware Theresa is fifteen years old and Jacqui's cousin, has sex with Theresa. Pickard said that upon Jacqui discovering Tony's one-night stand with Theresa she "storms round and starts thwacking him, screaming he's slept with her 15-year-old cousin! What's worse is that Theresa is making out Tony practically raped her".[19] Pickard explained that Theresa wants a relationship with Tony but Tony tells her a relationship won't happen.[19] Pickard explained that Tony is arrested and "his life goes into freefall". Pickard went on to say that if "he's found guilty then he'll probably have to do time. If he's let off, I think the best thing would be for him to go away for a while to sort himself out".[19]
In a later storyline Tony announces his intentions to marry Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring), prompting Jacqui to try and talk Tony out of it.[20] 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".[20] 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".[20] Cooper also revealed that at the time she was often approached by fans asking her when the couple would reconcile.[20] Pickard felt that Cindy was right for Tony but believed Jacqui to be the love of Tony's life.[21]
Cindy Cunningham
Cindy grow close and begin a relationship. Stephanie Waring, who portrays Cindy, said the pair "bring out the best in each other".[22] Pickard explained that when Cindy ends the relationship because he does not plan to marry her, his character is shocked that he "misses Cindy. They talk things through and, out of the blue, Tony proposes in jest. But Cindy goes along with it..."[23] He explained that Tony is unaware of Cindy's true nature although he did suspect Cindy to be manipulating him for a while. Pickard added that Cindy will "want to get married as soon as possible before Tony can change his mind".[23] He added that Cindy is "acting like she genuinely loves him and he desperately wants that love" so he remains unsuspicious towards her and her plans to scam him.[23] Despite her plans, Pickard felt Cindy has "some feelings" for Tony. He felt that Tony has "fallen for her, yes. It surprises him but she's started to mean a lot to him. Cindy's smart and sexy and they're good together".[23] Pickard felt that if his character discovered Cindy and Darren Osborne's (Ashley Taylor Dawson) plans to scam him he would be "furious but also he'd be really down about it. It would upset him to think they were trying to con him but he'd be angry with himself for being so gullible".[23] He added that "Tony thinks [Cindy would] never have agreed to marry him if Darren still meant something to her".[23]
Pickard explained Tony's reason for marrying Cindy saying: "he’s looking forward to someone not so much to fall in love with, but for more practical reasons – so he lets himself be swept off his feet by Cindy".[24] Shortly before the wedding Tony becomes intoxicated and has sex with a woman who Darren has paid. Tony admits this to Cindy who in turn admits she and Darren had been planning to scam Tony. Waring said Tony has "been a good man telling the truth and Cindy takes that as her opportunity to tell him the truth. All the cards are on the table".[22] Pickard said he was "surprised that Tony would go through with it because of their volatile relationship and the fact that Tony knows Cindy's into Darren. I think he wanted to just go for it with her, and hopefully it'll work out for him".[25] Pickard later stated that he didn't think Cindy was right for Tony stating: "I don't think she's the one for him, to be honest".[21] Tony meets Gabby Sharpe (Phina Oruche) which allows him to realise "his marriage is over and he intends to tell Cindy that as soon as he gets home".[26]
Gabby Sharpe
Series producer Paul Marquess said that Tony's relationship with Gabby "redefines Tony as one of the older characters". He explained that the audience would soon "feel we're seeing Tony in a different context".[27] Tony helps Gabby when she is run over. Pickard revealed that "It's love at first sight for Tony" when sees Gabby. Tony and Gabby have a brief relationship before she leaves Hollyoaks village.
Reception
Pickard was nominated at the 2001
Tony was listed in "The Top 100 Soap Hunks of All Time" by What's on TV.[33] What's on TV also listed Tony and Mandy at number 9 in "The Top 10 Soap Love Affairs of All Time"[34] before they listed the couple's wedding in "The 50 top weddings of all time".[35] In a 2009 poll by Loaded magazine, Tony was voted eighth in the "Top Soap Bloke of all time".[36] The character was selected as one of the "top 100 British soap characters" by industry experts for a poll to be run by What's on TV, with readers able to vote for their favourite character to discover "Who is Soap's greatest Legend?"[37]
In her book Soap Stars, Debbie Foy refers to Tony as having lived through several dramatic episodes.
Hollyoak's series producer Jo Hallows described Tony as a "fantastic" character and opined that Pickard had made the role his own. She went on to say that Tony is "easy to write for, because you can throw any story at him, both serious and frivolous, and you know that Nick will make a good job of it. He'll make you laugh and he'll also make you cry". Hallows opined that Pickard is "probably the person I've cried at the most, some of the more difficult stories he's done, even though you know the story that's coming up, you can't help but have a lump in your throat".[48] Another series producer Bryan Kirkwood praised Pickard's acting skills, stating that he felt Pickard is a "brilliant" actor. He said he was "particularly pleased in moving Tony away from the buffoon he had become over the years into heartbreaking stories such Grace's death and his relationship with Jacqui. He's a touching and sensitive actor who's always over-looked".[49] Series producer Paul Marquess praised Pickard, saying he felt that "there's only so many daft Tony stories you can do. He's so key to the show and so able and adept".[27] Pickard's colleague Gemma Merna praised Pickard saying Pickard has "had some great storylines", adding that if she was "half as successful as Nick is on the show and liked as much then I would love to stay".[50]
An Inside Soap columnist criticised the Tony's early relationship stories. They wrote that "we had to suspend belief" when Tony had two women fighting over him. They did not believe that Izzy and Julie would interested romantically with the "petulant chef".[51] They were more critical of his "passionate tryst" with Helen, adding that "we're seriously questioning the scriptwriters' sanity" for creating their romance.[51]
In 2017, Pickard won the
Bibliography
- Evans, Matthew (2002). Phil Redmond's Hollyoaks: the official companion. Channel 4. ISBN 978-0-7522-2000-0.
- Foy, Debbie (2009). Soap Stars (21st Century Lives). Hodder Wayland. ISBN 978-0-7502-5689-6.
References
- ^ a b c Foy 2009, p.4.
- Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ Evans 2002, p.10.
- ^ "Tony Hutchinson played by Nick Pickard". Hollyoaks.com. (Conker Media Limited). Archived from the original on 6 February 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ). Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ "Hollyoaks: Who's Who?". Virginmedia.com. (Virgin Media Inc.). 26 January 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- IPC Media). Archived from the originalon 19 May 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ Murphy, Steven (August 1997). "A bit of a do!". Inside Soap (81): 18.
- ^ a b c Ellis, Sarah (10–16 January 2004). "Ruth sleeps with Tony!". Inside Soap (2): 8, 9.
- ^ a b Scott, Jennifer (16 January 2009). "Interview: Sarah Jayne Dunn, Boeing Boeing". ThisisNottingham. (Northcliffe Media Limited). Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (19 August 2011). "'Hollyoaks' Tony is having a mid-life crisis, says Nick Pickard". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines). Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- IPC Media). 27 December 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ^ Davies, Taryn (13 September 2011). "Sarah Jayne Dunn interview". FemaleFirst. (First Active Media Ltd). Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ IPC Media). 4 October 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ IPC Media). 19 November 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Archivedfrom the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ^ IPC Media). 2 November 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Claire Cooper's Jacqui Hope". Female First. First Active Media Ltd. 26 August 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Archivedfrom the original on 10 September 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ^ IPC Media). 25 August 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ "Nick Pickard and Stephanie Waring". OK!. (Northern & Shell). 29 September 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- E4.com. (Channel Four Television Corporation). Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ IPC Media). 15 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- IPC Media). 16 June 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
- IPC Media). 17 February 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
- IPC Media). 16 April 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- IPC Media). Retrieved 8 July 2012.
- Northern and Shell). 26 July 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- Sky). 8 February 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "Zut Alors!". Inside Soap (158): 66. 22 July – 4 August 2000.
- Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "Hooray for Hollyoaks!". Inside Soap (212): 70. 17–30 August 2002.
- ^ "Tone and Moan". Inside Soap (38): 16. 20–26 September 2003.
- ^ "Easy money?". Inside Soap (33): 6. 25–31 October 2003.
- ^ "Yawns!". Inside Soap (2): 18. 10–16 January 2004.
- Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 7 April 2012.
- Hearst Magazines UK). 14 November 2012. Archived from the originalon 27 January 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ^ Evans 2002, p.129.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). 1–14 March 2003. p. 74.
External links
- Character profile at Channel4.com
- Character profile at E4.com
- Character profile at Hollyoaks.com
- Character profile at What's on TV
- Character profile at BBC America