MODERN FAMILY

TONY HUTCHINSON HAS BEEN THE HEART AND SOUL OF HOLLYOAKS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING – AND lnside soap HAS BEEN THERE ALONGSIDE HIS EXPANDING CLAN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY…

Inside Soap was just three years old when Hollyoaks started – so we were probably far too young to be watching such a sexy, saucy show! Back then, it focused mostly on the teenage characters and the traumas they were going through. In fact, people above the age of 20 barely ever got any time on screen… Fast-forward 22 years, and it’s an entirely different story. Hollyoaks is all grown up – and while it’s still seen as the cheeky younger sibling of the longer-running soaps, there’s no denying that it’s earned its place in the soap hall of fame. Of course, you can still tune in and see characters in silly situations wearing daft costumes. But at the beating heart of the show now lies its core family groups – and with Tony the only character who’s been there since day one, it seemed fitting that our birthday shoot should centre on him and his eclectic clan.

So as we join Nick Pickard (Tony), Alex Fletcher (Diane), Kieron Richardson (Ste) and Parry Glasspool (Harry) on the set of the flat where their characters live, it really is like stepping into a genuine family home…

“Our little group is particularly good at the minute,” grins Alex. “Maybe it’s because we’ve expanded and now have Scott and Lily as well, but I do feel that Diane has a real place in the village as head of the family. All we need now is a grumpy old grandad Hutchinson!”

Frankly, we don’t think they could fit anyone else in that tiny flat! And from the gossip we hear on our shoot, the first family of Hollyoaks has more than enough drama going on already…

Nick Pickard

“You’d be shocked at what goes on here!”

Think of Hollyoaks, and the first character that springs to mind is usually Tony Hutchinson. After all, he’s been in the show since day one – and 22 years later, he’s still in the thick of the action. Actor Nick is just as integral to the soap as his character is, and Inside Soap is proud to have been right there with him over the past two decades. So as we sit down to probe him about life on the hippest soap around, we’re hoping he’ll be happy to share a few of his deepest, darkest secrets with us…

We recall the first time we met you, Nick, at the press launch for Hollyoaks back in 1995! How did you feel about winning a part in a new soap?

It wasn’t even called Hollyoaks back then, it was just ‘Teen Soap’!

[Hollyoaks creator] Phil Redmond was really hot at the time because of the work he’d done on Brookside, so

I do remember that everyone wanted a part in his new show. There was a massive campaign to find actors, and thousands of people came to Liverpool for auditions. I was over the moon when I was cast as Tony.

How do the early years compare to the show now?

It’s like chalk and cheese! None of these sets were even built back when we started – we used to go out and shoot in Chester. It was only on once a week for the first year, so it’s taken a long time to get to where we are now. It’s a massive machine nowadays, and we have about 300 people working on the show.

Did you imagine that you’d stay with Hollyoaks for 22 years?

Never! It’s like a football team, you get a new boss in and suddenly you worry that you’re going to be the first one out the door! But I’ve been lucky to stay – I’ve seen it all. You’d be shocked at what goes on here…

We imagine the early days were all crazy parties! Was it that wild?

It was nuts back at the beginning! We were 19 and 20-year-olds getting a steady wage for the first time, and you know what it’s like at that age – you throw your money away and enjoy it. It was such a laugh. I used to live with four other lads from the show, so even if you were tired when you got home, there was always someone who’d say, “Come on, we’re going out!”. Whereas now I just go home – I’m 42,

I can’t be doing that every

night like I used to.

As the sole original cast member left, you are often considered the daddy of Hollyoaks. Is that how you feel?

No, I don’t feel like that at all! I try to be a good role model, so while I have a laugh, I’m also professional. I know that if we don’t get the work done for the day, it’s going to roll on to another day – and then you’ll have to come in on your day off! So I try to drum that into people, and guide the younger ones – particularly people like Parry and Lauren [Mcqueen, aka Lily], as they are my screen family.

The Hutchinsons are at the heart of the show right now. Do you guys feel like a family unit off screen as well as on?

Yeah, we do. It’s nice when you have so many characters in one place, because you get to play around with things a lot more. I’ve been good mates with Kieron and Alex for a long time, so it’s lovely to work with them.

What does Tony’s future hold?

I know that over the next year and a half, there are a lot of big things going on. And there are a few former cast members coming back, so I imagine I’ll be involved with them. But I’ve never been one to go upstairs and find out what my next storyline is – I’m just really lucky that they keep giving me great stuff to do!

Parry Glasspool Kieron Richardson

Not many dads would be pleased to see their teenage son shacking up with a twicemarried drug addict with two kids! But although Tony wasn’t happy about Harry and Ste’s romance at the start, he’s finally accepted that the couple are an integral part of his family unit. And stars Kieron and Parry are both delighted to be in Tony’s squad…

What’s it like being a part of the Hutchinson clan?

Kieron I couldn’t ask for a better family. I think modern is how you would describe it – we’ve got about a hundred kids between us all!

Parry It’s a mixed bunch. The crew say that when they work with us, they know they’re in safe hands. We’re the best Hollyoaks family – we’ve got all the pros!

Kieron When you think about iconic clans in the show, you automatically think of the Mcqueens. But don’t underestimate the Hutchinsons…

Parry The Mcqueens are the exterior of the show, they’re the glitz and glamour. But we’re the heart – we’re what Hollyoaks is really about.

Do you all feel like a family off screen as well as on?

Kieron Yeah, we do. Even today when I walked in for this shoot, Alex was like, “That scene you did in last night’s episode was really good”. We’re supportive of each other, which is what a real family would be.

Who’s the grumpiest among you?

Parry Nick does get grumpy – but Kieron has diva fits.

Kieron What’s a diva fit, Parry? Go on, explain yourself!

Parry Well, for example, when

I say to you, “Why don’t you try doing the scene like this…”.

Kieron Yeah, Parry sometimes tries to tell me how to act! And I’m like, “Don’t you dare do that!”.

Parry And Nick gets grumpy when I laugh at him – sometimes we’ll be

doing a scene and his face cracks me up! It can be in the middle of a serious scene and I’ll just start giggling to myself, and Nick gets furious.

Ste and Tony have been mates for a long time. Kieron, what was your reaction when you found out you’d be working with Nick?

Kieron Everyone knows who Tony is and I grew up watching him, so I felt this massive pressure to be really good and know all my lines! Nick’s a legend, so I wanted to be well-behaved and not mess up any of his scenes. I never thought in a million years that we’d be where we are now, with Tony and Ste as best friends.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from working with Nick?

Kieron Don’t mess about. He’s very serious about what he does, even though he’s a bit of a joker when he’s not working. Because he’s been here for so long, it feels like Nick owns the building, so what he says, goes. You have to bring your A-game when you work with him.

Parry Nick calls the shots, doesn’t he? But you know what, I’ve never seen him phone-in his performance. You’d think after 22 years he might want to give himself a little break, but he puts his heart and soul into it every time.

Hollyoaks is infamous for putting actors in silly costumes! Has there been anything you’ve baulked at?

Kieron Because we’re quite a ‘top off’ show, I feel massive pressure to look good – especially working with Parry, because he’s got slabs and abs and everything! Some mornings you come in and don’t want to take your top off.

Parry It’s always on the wrong day – like if you’ve had a weekend where you’ve been eating rubbish, then you come in first thing on Monday and you have to get naked. It’s a hard life!

Kieron, what’s surprised you most about fatherhood in real life?

Kieron Just that the kids get more attention on the street now than I do. When you’re out pushing the pram, people stop you and go, “Oh my God, it’s twins!”, whereas before it was, “Oh my God, it’s Ste!”. But I’m fine with it. I do have the cutest kids ever!

Would you like to see Harry and Ste marry and live happily ever after?

Parry I think if they were too happy, we wouldn’t have a job any more…

Kieron Ste’s been married twice, so I don’t think he’s up for another wedding. His kids have had so many new daddies.

Parry Harry would like one – but he’s only 19, so I don’t know what goes on in his head. If it was me, Ste would have been out on his ear a long time ago!

“Some mornings you come in and don’t want to take your top off!”

Diane arrived in Hollyoaks village back in 2010, but Alex was no stranger to soap when she rocked up. Having already spent 13 years as Brookside’s

Jacqui Dixon, she knows just what it’s like to grow up in soapland…

It’s been wonderful watching you all interacting as a family today!

We genuinely have a special relationship and connection, because to work together so closely, you have to. And you’ve got to laugh, especially with quite tough storylines at the moment. I’m spoiled with the people I work with.

Do you feel maternal towards Ross Adams, who plays Scott, and Lauren Mcqueen, aka Lily?

I do, especially Lauren. She’s from the same area of Liverpool that I’m from, and we went to the same convent school. She’s from good stock, that one! She’s just a really well-rounded young lady, and I’m looking forward to the stuff that we’ve got coming up together. I’m very proud of her.

Have you known Nick for ages?

He actually knew my family before he knew me, because my uncle cuts his hair! And I kind of knew him because Hollyoaks and

Brookie were both filmed in

Liverpool. I remember when the Hollyoaks lot started, us at Brookside were all dead jealous because they were so gorgeous! But Nick’s such a good person and brilliant at his job – don’t tell him I said that, though!

You were only 12 when you were cast in Brookside. Can you still remember your first day on set?

Yeah. I was nervous, but excited – and dead proud because it was a Liverpool soap. I’m still proud now. My nan brought me to set for the first time, and tried to post a letter in the letter box – and everyone went, “No, it’s not real”!

What was it like for you growing up on television?

It was pressured, and exam time was quite difficult. But the Brookie lot were dead supportive. When I got to 16 I had to decide: do I take another contract on Brookie, or do I leave to do my A-levels? I had a meeting with our producer at the time, Mal Young, and he said, “So are you going back to school, or are you staying here?”. And I was like, “I’ll stay here please!” I’ve genuinely never looked back.

When Brookside finished, did you ever imagine that you would go on to be a part of Hollyoaks?

I never did, though I always hoped I’d get back that feeling of having a secure job. I used to feel guilty as I’ve never been on stage, and I thought I wasn’t a proper actress. I’d not earned my stripes. It’s only as I’ve got older that I’ve thought, ‘Actually, I have’.

Your son Hanson is only 12 months old. How have you found juggling motherhood and work?

After I had my daughter Yas in 2005, I was offered a contract on The Bill, which I turned down. I was a new mum, and wasn’t ready for that. So when I had Hanson, I wanted to get back on the horse as soon as possible. It’s been lovely to have that balance of being a mum and having a job.

Do you see yourself staying at Hollyoaks for a long time?

I feel I’d be letting my screen family down if I was to go! I’m not going anywhere, as this is just the start of things for

Lauren and Ross. And from a storyline point of view, there’s still so much for Diane to do. For a flashback to Alex’s

Brookie days – and some other Close encounters – turn to p64…

“I’m so proud of my Hollyoaks family – I don’t ever want to leave them!”