Hollyoaks fans convinced Tony Hutchinson IS dead as soap removes him from the opening titles

HOLLYOAKS fans are fearing the worst after Nick Pickard was removed from the opening credits of the show.

The actor – who played Tony Hutchinson in the Channel 4 soap for 24 years since the first episode – disappeared after he was brutally stabbed by serial killer Breda McQueen earlier this week.

Tony was knifed to death by Breda McQueen earlier this week

Viewers were bitterly divided over what happened to Tony with Breda’s other victims all turning up dead sooner or later.

And now the soap has removed the longstanding actor from the opening credits, convincing fans that Tony is really gone for good.

One wrote: “Tony really is dead!! He’s not in the opening titles! #Hollyoaks”

A second said: “Watching @Hollyoaks for the first time without Tony in the opening credits. This is wrong. So so wrong. Can’t believe they have done this! And with no warning ? #hollyoaks #tonyhutchinson #dead”

Breda appeared to regret her actions last nightCredit: Channel 4

Another added: “Nooooo ???? Tony’s not in the @Hollyoaks #Hollyoaks Title”

The soap is set to air a dark twist tonight when Breda lets her son Sylver come under suspicion for murdering Tony – as she did when she secretly killed his stepfather.

In a preview for an upcoming episode of the Channel 4 soap, locals are baffled by Tony’s disappearance.

His wife Diane brings up innocent Sylver’s previous ‘crime’, telling Leela: “Once a killer, always a killer.”

Tony Hutchinson’s wife Diane become suspicious of Breda McQueen’s son Sylver for her husband’s disappearance on Hollyoaks

And Breda seizes her chance to get away with yet another murder, leaving his future hanging in the balance with fans still no further in knowing what she has done with Tony.