Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard has been told not to go on holiday when the soap's big autumn stunt has to be filmed.

Nick Pickard

Nick Pickard

The 44-year-old soap stalwart - who has appeared on the Channel 4 show since the first episode in 1995 - insists he doesn't know what is going to happen to his character Tony Hutchinson this year, but he is set to play a huge part in the show's annual stunt.

Asked what is going to happen to Tony this year, he said: "I genuinely don't have a clue. I know it's going to be a big year ahead, and that they're planning something exciting - it will be a roller coaster.

"I've been told I can't go on holiday around the time of our big autumn stunt, but that's about all I know at the moment."

Tony went through hell last year after he was seemingly bumped off by serial killer Breda McQueen (Moya Brady), only for her to keep him captive in a pig farm for months.

And while Nick was delighted with the reaction from concerned fans who thought his alter-ego had met his maker, he insists the soap's bosses could still kill Tony off at some point.

He added to Inside Soap magazine: "The response I got when everyone thought Tony was dead was overwhelming - I think it was the most hits we ever got on our Instagram page.

"That's what we wanted, for people to respond that way. It's nice to know my character is still so loved - but that doesn't mean they won't still kill him off, though."

The show's 25th anniversary is coming up in October, and Nick recently admitted he would love to see his former co-star Will Mellor (James 'Jambo' Bolton) back on 'Hollyoaks'.

He said: "I'd like to see Will Mellor come back. Obviously I started the show back in 1995 with him.

"His character Jambo was Tony's best friend, maybe if he came in to comfort him in his time of need or something. It would be a flying visit."