Hollyoaks confirms four legends’ return stories in major Tony Hutchinson week
Hollyoaks will welcome back numerous iconic faces next week – that is just one week shy of its actual 30th anniversary – as the long-running Channel 4 soap celebrates all-things Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard).
Series legend Tony, as viewers know, has been central to the Chester-based soap since its inception all the way back in 1995 and thus with a huge milestone approaching, it’s no wonder that the attention is all on him.
The much-loved chef was recently released from prison after the truth about Jez Blake’s (Jeremy Sheffield) role in Bobby Costello’s (Zak Sutcliffe) murder was exposed at his plea hearing.
Jez, who claimed the lives of countless show characters including Dilly Harcourt (Emma Johnsey-Smith) and Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham), is in the wind in the wake of his escape and it’s safe to say the whole village is on alert.
Tony, meanwhile, is determined to grab life with everything that he’s got and thus he and Diane (Alex Fletcher) resolve to tie the knot once more.
The former couple spend much of next week planning their wedding but it’s not all plain sailing as our Tone is hiding a number of secrets.
Firstly, he’s just learned that Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), who he had an affair with earlier this year, is pregnant with his child. Diane, who is unaware of the pregnancy, orders Mercy to stay away from her man.
Marie Fielding (Rita Simons), who was engaged to Tony previously, is also causing issues for the restaurateur, who is stressed out. The salon owner, as audiences are aware, revealed last month that she is pregnant.
In a bid to focus on his wedding, Tony seeks out best mate Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) and asks him to be his best man. The question is: just what will Darren have to say?
The taxi driver was left devastated in recent scenes when he was told by Nancy (Jessica Fox) that their four-year-old daughter Morgan is biologically Tony’s.
Darren was adamant that they never discuss the betrayal again but it’s clear that it’s been playing on his mind.
We’ll just have to wait and see how the conversation between the two show legends transpires but, later in the week, the stag do gets underway and Tony receives a huge shock in the form of Carol Groves (Natalie Casey) and Finn (James Redmond) – faces from his past who surprise him at the bar – with ‘Beryl’ the car.
Talk about a classic Oaks throwback!
His brother Dom Reilly (John Pickard) also shows up, delighting Tony, who opens up to his siblings about his escalating relationship problems.
Darren, meanwhile, drowns his sorrows at Casa McQueen, where he receives a massive shock in the form of his ex Zoe Carpenter (played by Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday icon Zoë Lister, who reprises her iconic role).
This really is shaping up to be a treat of a week.
And there’s more to come as Tony’s wedding subsequent grows near – but just what will lie ahead for the soap icon on his big day? And will he and Diane make it down the aisle and say: ‘I do’?
It’s a tough one to call as, not only is there Marie, Mercedes and Darren drama to overcome, but also the fact that Jez and Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) are intent on dismantling the wedding! But why?
Elsewhere in the village…
With Jez still on the loose, a cloud hangs over the Blakes, who struggle to move on in the wake of recent events.
Clare, meanwhile, is the subject of much discussion as Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) is confused when she discovers that the schemer and her daughter Peri (Ruby O’Donnell) have grown dangerously close.
And finally, a dangerous force connects with Darren.
