Note: This article contains spoilers from Wednesday's (August 28) E4 first look episode of Hollyoaks, which some readers may prefer to avoid.
Hollyoaks may have just done the unthinkable, with its sole remaining original character Tony Hutchinson feared dead after a sinister cliffhanger.
Tony became the latest victim of serial killer Breda McQueen in Wednesday's E4 episode, as she stabbed him at the folly after he finally discovered her dark secrets.
The show legend was horrified when he finally put the pieces of the puzzle together, realising that Breda was responsible for the recent deaths in the village and had also killed his son Harry. Needing to avoid being caught out, Breda struck again to silence Tony for good.
But is Tony really gone (sob!) or is this another soap fake-out? Here, we examine the evidence for and against…
1. DEAD? The show's killer timetable
Back in July, Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood gave various media interviews about the Six Weeks of Summer and the big storylines that fans could expect to see. Kirkwood confirmed that two deaths would air during the summer period – one in the first week, one in the final week.
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The first grisly twist saw Harry meet his maker (we're still not over it) and now it seems like we have our second victim. Well, we can't say the Hollyoaks gods didn't prepare us.
2. NOT DEAD? Nick stays silent
A shock exit in soap is usually followed by farewell interviews, goodbye videos and fellow cast members paying gushing tributes about how great the departing star was to work with.
In the case of Tony, though, Hollyoaks hasn't released a quote from Nick Pickard confirming his character's death, which seems a tad suspicious given that he has been part of the cast for a whopping 24 years.
It's worth pointing out that this wouldn't be unprecedented, though. When Lockie Campbell went missing after a clash with his brother Cameron in 2016, actor Nick Rhys only gave his full farewell interview after his character's body had been found months later.
Could Hollyoaks be keeping Nick Pickard quiet until the Hollyoaks police find a body? Given their slow rate at solving any crime, we could be waiting forever.
3. DEAD? Those flashbacks
When Breda stabbed Tony at the folly, Hollyoaks gave us a much-needed distraction from his pain by putting up some touching flashbacks to illustrate his long history with the show. These included a nostalgic glimpse at the good old days from the '90s and a look back at Tony's significant relationships with the likes of Jacqui and Diane.
The bittersweet moment certainly brought a tear to the eye, but it did feel like the show was genuinely saying goodbye to Tony. Unless that's just what Hollyoaks wants us to think, of course.
4. NOT DEAD? The timing
Although Hollyoaks can't help it if a popular cast member wants to leave the show, the timing of Tony's apparent demise does seem pretty strange.
Hollyoaks will be celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary next year and it'd be very weird if Tony wasn't there for such an important moment. It's the equivalent of Corrie celebrating a birthday without Ken Barlow or EastEnders without Ian Beale – unthinkable.
5. DEAD? Clues in the credits
Hollyoaks ended its shocking episode with black closing titles, which are often used to provide a mournful mood when a popular character is killed off. The final scene after the credits was simply a picture of Tony, in another apparent tribute to the soap legend.
Digital Spy has also seen the next episode of Hollyoaks and can confirm that Tony has (gasp) been taken out of the opening sequence. So, would the show really go to such effort for a short-lived twist? Those opening credits don't edit themselves, you know.
6. NOT DEAD? The boss's past interviews
Hollyoaks is known for being brave when it comes to killing off important characters, but we do have to wonder whether ruthlessly getting rid of Tony would be a step too far.
Show boss Bryan Kirkwood has often voiced his respect and admiration for Nick Pickard over the years, even hailing him as "the best actor in the show" in a 2017 interview.
Speaking at the time, Kirkwood explained: "It's just such a fantastic gift to have the longest-serving cast member also be the best actor in the show. The heart of Hollyoaks is this brilliant actor, and this extraordinary character who's been through so much over so long."
High praise indeed – and perhaps a clue that the show wouldn't really close the door on Tony for good?
7. DEAD? Harry's return
Tony's attack scene featured a moving cameo from Parry Glasspool as Harry Thompson, just a few weeks after the young dad was brutally murdered by Breda.
The scene appeared to suggest that Harry had reappeared to help Tony cross over to the afterlife as he was slipping away. Fair warning, though – if he really is dead, we demand a Hollyoaks In Heaven spin-off to carry on Tony and Harry's stories.
8. NOT DEAD? Breda's remorse
Breda usually doesn't show much remorse for her murderous acts – she even convinced herself that Harry was a bad father, even though he'd only had about five seconds to prove himself as a good one.
In Tony's case, though, she loudly proclaimed that he was "one of the good ones" as he appeared to be taking his dying breaths. Was she regretting it already?
We previously saw with Louis Loveday and his time on the pig farm that bonkers Breda is prepared to offer a reprieve when the mood takes her, so if fortune favours Tony and he manages to survive, maybe she'd give him another chance?
9. DEAD? Those final farewells
The latest episode saw Tony interacting with most of the long-serving characters in the village. He also had a heated goodbye scene with his wife Diane (who'll presumably now think he's done a runner) and spent some time with his kids. Ste Hay also popped up for a single scene, which offered a nod to his past friendship with Tony.
This seemed like Hollyoaks wanted Tony to share screen time with everyone close to him before he departed… for good?
10. DEAD / NOT DEAD? Enter Edward Hutchinson
Hollyoaks has previously announced the casting of Joe McGann as Tony's father Edward Hutchinson, who'll be a new supervillain for the show. This also raises many questions over what the future holds for Tony himself.
The show previously indicated that Tony's relationship with Edward would be explored when the character arrives, although it's possible this was a red herring to throw everyone off the track of the big death twist.
Could Edward pop up for Tony's funeral further on down the line? Could he have been brought in as a new head of the Hutchinson family in Tony's absence?
Or should we be holding out hope that we will see father and son side-by-side one day in a miraculous twist?
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
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