'Hollyoaks' fans have threatened to boycott the soap after Tony Hutchinson appeared to be killed off.
Nick Pickard
The Channel 4 show's only original character remaining - played by Nick Pickard - was stabbed and left for dead by evil serial killer Breda McQueen (Moya Brady) on last night's (28.08.19) E4 first-look episode, leaving some viewers outraged that he may be bowing out of the famous fictional village after 25 years.
One Instagram user wrote: "Not watching Hollyoaks any more if you kill off the beat character!! (sic)
Another disgruntled viewer posted: "That's it Hollyoaks is gunner end up been crap. I've watched Hollyoaks from beginning when it 1st started and loved it and and happy it won it's 1st tv soap award much deserved but lately it's not what it is used to be starting to get boring I don't watched it as much I used to and now killing tony off nah it's gunner go down hill (sic)"
One shared: "Can't believe tony is dead I am shocked so disappointed his left such a good character and been in hollyoaks from the start (sic)"
Another posted: "Should of had a 'if anyone was affected by anything in this episode, please call this number for help' I was very affected!!! (sic)"
But some simply don't believe Tony is dead.
One defiant fan wrote: "No way would they just let a legend exit the show like that. When Tony leaves he will get an amazing exit and full episode just for him. See you soon Tony (sic)"
Another shared: "I think it's s ploy."
'Hollyoaks' appeared to confirm Tony has indeed met his maker, calling the shocking scenes "an end of an era".
They wrote on Instagram: "Not even Mr Hollyoaks is safe"
Another post on the soap's photo-sharing account read: "No way... this can't be happening?! We knew Breda was capable of terrible things, but THIS?!! We can't believe it... (sic)"
As Tony lay dying his life flashed before his eyes as some throwback scenes aired, and Parry Glasspool - who played his son Harry Thompson, who was killed by Breda last month - returned for a touching father-son scene.
A post on Hollyoaks' Instagram today (29.08.19) read: "We're still not over yesterday's episode, but it was emotional seeing that last touching moment between Tony and Harry."
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