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Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Alex Fletcher has spoken exclusively to Digital Spy about Tony Hutchinson’s future following Diane’s tragic death. Could he end up with Leela Lomax one day, as Diane had pushed for?
Life in the village changed forever in May as Diane tragically passed away from ovarian cancer, bringing Alex’s 16-year run in the role to a close.
The devastating storyline has earned Alex three nominations at the Inside Soap Awards 2026 – Best Actress, Best Exit and Best Storyline – while the Hutchinsons are also up for Best Family.
We caught up with the soap legend as she took part in a photoshoot celebrating Hollyoaks’ nominations at the awards. You can see all the pictures in the new issue of Inside Soap, which is out now.
See our exclusive behind-the-scenes video from the shoot at the top of the page, and read on for Alex’s DS Q&A…
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Hi, Alex! How does it feel to be up for so many prizes at the Inside Soap Awards?
“I can’t believe I’ve been nominated for so many – Best Actress, Best Exit, Best Storyline, Best Family! Diane’s exit was a really tough storyline but it was amazing to raise so much awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Action charity. I’m super proud of that – and just to be nominated is brilliant.”
Why should fans vote for Hollyoaks in the Best Soap category?
“Because we’re the best! (Laughs.) We have got the best fans, who are always 100% behind us. We’ve had some big stories this year and we deserve it!”
Are you enjoying life after the show?
“I am – it’s been nice to have the summer with my little boy, my daughter, my husband and the family.
“I don’t feel like I’ve left. There’ll always be a massive part of me that’s still there at Hollyoaks – and obviously I’ve come back to set to do the awards photoshoot! It’s been so nice to see everyone and I do miss them all.”
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Do you miss playing Diane?
“I had to make my peace with that because obviously she passed away, which was closure for me. But obviously she’s a big massive part of me.
“I was heartbroken for her when she died and it was a really tough storyline to do. I did put my heart and soul into it and I was really sad for her. I was sad for her to leave the kids and all the Hollyoaks family.”
The new actors playing the Hutchinson kids have all been doing brilliant work…
“They’re amazing – I hadn’t worked with them much but we bonded really quickly in the 12 weeks that I got to know them. I think that really helped with the storyline and the connections we all had.
“We were sad! I was sad that I was going, even though it was my decision – it was still the end of a big chapter. I think it’s been a great platform for them because they’re going on to do all kinds of other things. It just opens up other layers of the family, as the show is exploring their struggles.”
Do you tune in to see how they’re all getting on?
“Probably more so on Instagram – I see a lot of it on there, because I think it captures the show’s best bits. So I’ve been keeping a close eye on them and I’m proud.
“I’ve been watching some of Chloe Atkinson’s stuff and she’s been doing a really good job of Dee-Dee not coping at all without her mum. They’re all brilliant, they’re all good kids.”
Diane wanted Tony to get with Leela eventually! As Alex, what did you make of that?
“I think as long as it starts as a companionship and a friendship, everything is built from that. Tony won’t be on his own for long – he’s never struggled for a girlfriend or a wife! (Laughs.) So he’ll be fine.
“Kirsty-Leigh [Porter, who plays Leela] is brilliant. I think they’d be good together and that’s what Diane wanted. It’s a huge thing to set your husband up with another person, but Diane was quite controlling and I think that was her having a little bit of control!”
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What would be your dream next project?
“I’d love to be in a gritty drama. I love all the heavy stuff. It’s no disrespect to this cast but I’d love to work with other people, because you do get completely in your comfort zone at Hollyoaks – it’s like a big family.
“So to be on another set and to be with a different crew would be brilliant. But this team will be a tough one to beat, because I do miss them all.”
If Brookside was revived as a gritty post-watershed show, could you be tempted back as Jacqui Dixon?
“100% of course I would! I just wonder what she’d look like – would she still be successful or have things gone a bit wrong for her?
“Jacqui Dixon’s got layers as a character. I think a lot of young people looked up to her because she was a businesswoman, she was strong and she was fierce. Her outfits were always on point. I think she’d have to come back even bigger and better, if she did!”
See a full Inside Soap interview with Alex in the new issue of the magazine, out now, containing exclusive photos featuring her and five other cast members. Votes for the Inside Soap Awards 2026 can be cast on the official voting page.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.