As he inherits fortune, and Kat faces life-changing showdown

THERE are touching scenes as Tom Cunningham turns 18 and inherits a fortune. Ellis Hollins, who has played the much-loved character since he was four, hit the milestone in real life last month.

Hollyoaks bosses took Ellis’ character out to Ibiza last summer to film Tom and his mates clubbing for the Six Weeks of Summer storyline.

With a seven figure trust fund about to arrive in his bank account, Tom’s set to find himself on the radar of devious Darcy Wilde during the soap’s hour-long New Year special.

Viewers will see her eyes light up as she hears all about the trust fund Tom is set to inherit now he has come of age.

Darcy then tells her son Toby she’s going to take him away on a holiday of a lifetime. Everyone will have to wait to see how she plans to get her hands on Tom’s cash.

A Hollyoaks insider told us: “Tom’s 18th birthday is a massive landmark for Hollyoaks.

“He’s been there through some of the soaps’s biggest storylines, and the fact Ellis has played him from such a young age makes it all the more special.

“But he needs to watch out as Darcy is coming for him.

“Whatever happens, she will do everything she can to ensure that she and her son are living a good life.

“Her manipulation knows no bounds. And sadly for Tom he’s going to be her latest target.”

Watch all the drama on the Channel 4 soap as Tom celebrates his coming of age and his inheritance a week on Friday.