Tony Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. His first appearance 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. For his portrayal of Tony, Pickard won the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 2017 British Soap Awards.
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 Hutchinson 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 Hutchinson, 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. During the 30th anniversary Tony was shot by an unknown person later revealed to be Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) the same episode Hollyoaks was crossing over with Brookside.
Creation Tony is one of the original Hollyoaks characters introduced by Phil Redmond during 1995 after the creation of the soap opera. Pickard is the longest serving cast member in the serial's history having played Tony since the show began in 1995.Foy 2009, p.4. Pickard was cast in the role when he was nineteen years old and he relocated to Liverpool where the serial is filmed. He has said that his character gets a balance of serious and humorous storyline which he enjoys. In 2009, the 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 Dom Reilly. Pickard later announced that he had no plans to leave the serial.
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".Evans 2002, p.10. An early official Hollyoaks website, Hollyoaks.com, described Tony as "A worrier, who lacks self-confidence but always does the decent thing". 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".
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." 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!"
Relationships
Early relationships Tony and Julie Matthews (Julie Buckfield) begin a relationship. The pair soon after become engaged. Explaining how Tony feels on his wedding day, Pickard said "Tony has a lot of nerves about the whole thing". He explained that this is due to Julie's parents taking over organising the wedding and because Julie has become an "absolute superbitch" in the lead up to the wedding making Tony feel "unsure" about the wedding.
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. 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". Dwyer said that Tony feels "vulnerable" so Ruth "goes in for the kill". Ruth and Tony sleep together leaving Tony feeling guilty.
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". The pair marry and later have a child who they name Grace. Grace dies from suspected SIDS and the pair split. Pickard said "If they hadn't lost a child, they might have stayed together the first time round. They were really happy before that happened". Dunn said that the storyline worked well, saying "as much as it was really difficult. By that stage, Nick and I both knew how we would play things and it worked". Tony leaves Hollyoaks with Mandy and her daughter. Tony returns three months later without Mandy. Dunn explained the reason for Tony leaving Mandy saying: "Mandy told Tony she couldn't have more children and he freaked out and left her in Laos". Dunn revealed Mandy wanted revenge for this. In 2011 Tony leaves the village and returns three months later having reinvented himself. Pickard said despite Tony's changes "Tony is still the same person and he loves Mandy". Speaking about the couple's future, Dunn told Taryn Davies of Femalefirst: "they've been on and off for years and they're a great couple and I think that they make a great couple and I think it's such a shame that just as they get happy something horrendous happens again. So there's the possibility that their relationship might be re-kindled".
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". 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". 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". 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. 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". 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".
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. Metcalfe said that the pair don't like each other. Mercedes discovers she is pregnant with Tony's child. 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". 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". 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".
In one storyline Jacqui's sister Tina McQueen (Leah Hackett) agrees to be a surrogate mother for her child. The storyline was included to help house many lies and secrets that had previously been built up prior, including Tony's affair with Mercedes and Tina's affair with Russ Owen (Stuart Manning), of which series producer Bryan Kirkwood stated there was "there's so much ammunition in store", which would eventually devastate Jacqui and Tony. 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". Pickard felt the relationship ended because "There have been so many lies and so much deceit throughout their relationship that I think Tony and Jacqui have reached burn-out as a couple. I think he still loves her. That hasn't just gone away".
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". Pickard explained that Theresa wants a relationship with Tony but Tony tells her a relationship won't happen. 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".