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 Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn), her stepsister Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Diane O'Connor (Alex Fletcher), an affair with married woman Helen Cunningham (Kathryn George), the death of his daughter Grace to sudden infant death syndrome, the discovery of his long-lost son Harry Thompson (Parry Glasspool), sleeping with underage Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter), his battle with testicular cancer, impregnating Diane, the birth of his children Anthony and Dee Dee, an affair with his stepdaughter Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis), discovering that his biological daughter is Rose Lomax after she and Dee Dee were switched at birth, coping with Harry's homosexuality and relationship with his best friend Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), being stabbed and taken hostage by serial killer Breda McQueen (Moya Brady) after he discovered her crimes, struggling to return to his life after Breda's reign of terror comes to an end, the return of his father Edward Hutchinson (Joe McGann) into his life, coming over his trauma from Breda's actions, discovering that Diane had a brief affair when he was taken hostage and discovering it was with Edward.
Storylines
Tony begins a relationship with Julie. Julie and Tony become engaged but she leaves him at the altar. Tony and Tessie Thompson (Sian Foulkes) begin a relationship. Tessie pretends she is pregnant in an attempt to scam Tony of his money. Tony discovers Tessie's lies forcing her to leave. Tony's friend, Rory "Finn" Finnigan (James Redmond), begins a relationship with a woman named Victoria (Fiona Mollison) who he later discovers is Tony's mother. The pair soon after marry despite Tony's protests. Tony buys Lewis Richardson's (Ben Hull) share of The Loft. Tony moves away from Hollyoaks Village with Ruth and Finn, where he focuses on his new business venture Gnosh, in Hollyoaks: Movin' On. He receives news that Ruth has been beaten up by Lewis, who then commits suicide due to guilt over his actions. Tony has a brief relationship with Ruth before she leaves the village. Off-screen, Ruth discovers she is pregnant with Tony's child but suffers a miscarriage.
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 Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn) through her abusive father's death, leading the pair to begin a relationship. The pair cheat on each other; Tony and Ruth have sex upon her return after she tells Tony about her miscarriage while Mandy has sex with Ben Davies (Marcus Patric). Ruth soon after leaves Hollyoaks Village. Mandy becomes pregnant with Tony's child but has a miscarriage. In anger, Mandy hits Tony, who hits her back. Mandy admits to abusing Tony after he is arrested. The pair seek counselling and leave for Rome, where they marry. Mandy becomes pregnant and gives birth to Grace Hutchinson. However, Grace dies from suspected sudden infant death syndrome. Tony struggles to accept Grace's death and blames others. Tony turns to alcohol, which pushes Mandy away. Tony's cousin, Dominic Reilly (John Pickard) arrives in Hollyoaks Village where he informs Tony that he has recently discovered that they are half-brothers. Mandy has sex with Dom. Tony begins counselling, however Mandy leaves him.