Soap legend in talks to join I’m A Celebrity after 28 years on show

SOAP legend Nick Pickard has packed his bags ready to head Down Under for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. 

Nick, who is known to millions as Hollyoaks’ old timer Tony Hutchinson, is in talks to leave rainy Chester behind for Australia’s glorious Gold Coast to join Ant and Dec's reality juggernaut.

He’s set to follow in the footsteps of a string of Hollyoaks stars who have triumphed among the TV creepy crawlies, including last year’s runner-up Owen Warner and 2015 jungle shower beauty Jorgie Porter. 

A TV source said: “Tony from Hollyoaks - as Nick will always happily be known as - is an absolute soap legend and a huge signing for I’m A Celeb. 

“Soap stars always do brilliantly on the show because they come with a loyal following and they don’t come more down-to-earth and likeable than Nick.

“He would be fantastic and make great telly if he makes the final cut.

“Of course Hollyoaks was recently moved online by Channel 4 so it comes at a helpful time for the soap too, helping introduce that younger online audience to Nick via I’m A Celeb’s huge reach.”

Nick was just 20 when he made the launch cast of Hollyoaks in October 1995 as one of their hunky band of boys. 

The lads were known for their good looks, raunchy storylines and iconic calendars. 

But viewers have grown up with chef Tony through his 28 rollercoaster years, which have seen him have relationships with some of Hollyoaks’ sexiest stars including Sarah Jayne Dunn's Mandy Richardson and scandalous liaisons with underage Theresa McQueen (Jorgie) and his own stepdaughter Sinead O’Connor (Stephanie Davis). 

There’s been heartbreak for Tony too, losing his daughter to sudden infant death syndrome, discovering a long-lost son and was even stabbed and taken hostage by a serial killer. 

Luckily things are far less dramatic for dad-of-one Nick off screen, where he’s been honoured with many soap gongs including an Outstanding Achievement award at the British Soap Awards in 2017.

He dated his Hollyoaks’ co-star Joanna Taylor for a year in the Noughties but since then has kept his love life out the limelight. 

But you might recognise his famous brother, John too - best known as David in BBC sitcom 2Point4 Children. 

It’s shaping up to be a great year in Oz.