ITV I’m A Celebrity’s Nick Pickard’s life off-screen from famous brother to Hollyoaks lover
Nick Pickard is famed for his long-standing role in Channel 4's Hollyoaks as the loveable Tony Hutchinson and now he is set to take part in the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. But there's more to the actor than just his on-screen persona
Hollyoaks’ heartthrob Nick Pickard is best known for his on-screen role as Tony Hutchinson in the popular soap opera.
But now the soap legend is set to be taking a break from the drama as he has been confirmed to be joining the hotly-anticipated line-up of the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
He’ll join the likes of Channel 4’s Fred Sirieix and This Morning’s Josie Gibson Down Under, as the nation’s favourite presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly return as the faces of the reality show. While fans may know Nick best for his on-screen characters, not much is known about his life off-screen.
However the 46-year-old has a life that’s just as exciting as his characters’ storylines, from his famous brother to his romantic flings. The talented actor started his career in theatre, having studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and Corona Theatre School.
Nick is reportedly in talks for the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. (
WireImage)
Nick featured on Celebrity Masterchef in 2011 (
BBC)
Before landing his breakthrough role as Tony, he appeared in various shows and even starred in music videos for Roxette and Mike + The Mechanics. But Nick’s life is not all about acting. He has a famous brother, John Pickard, who is also a renowned actor and writer. John is best known for his roles in the popular soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
The brothers share a close bond, and Nick has often talked about how John inspired him to pursue his dreams in the entertainment industry. When it comes to his romantic life, Nick Pickard has had his fair share of flings. He had a secret fling with his co-star Joanna Taylor, who played Geri Hudson in Hollyoaks. According to sources, the couple met on the set of the show and started dating in 2001.
They were together for two years before calling it quits in 2003. Joanna later married Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy in 2004, and the couple share two children. But their marriage hit the rocks, and they separated in 2017. Apart from his brief romance with Joanna, Nick has kept his private life out of the public eye. However, we do know that he’s a doting dad of one from a previous relationship.
Speaking about his daughter Ellie, now 25, to OK! in 2009, he said: “She’s a bit funny with Hollyoaks. When she was younger she watched it avidly, and she didn’t used to get it. Now she’s going to ‘big’ school and I think she’s more impressed with her mates being impressed, rather than me being in it.”
Nick, pictured with his brother, has often talked about how John inspired him to pursue his dreams in the entertainment industry (
willmellor76/Instagram)
John Pickard, Nick’s half-brother, played the role of Dominic Reilly in the soap opera. Dom married Tina McQueen a few years after joining the soap in 2007, but the marriage ended when Tina tragically passed away in October 2008.
During his brief tenure on the show, John’s character unintentionally took the lives of two people when his character burned down the business of his brother, Il Gnosh by Warren Fox. By 2013, Dom had been released from prison and appeared on Hollyoaks Later for the sixth and final time. But before he became a household name, John made his mark on EastEnders during the ’90s. John played the role of Kevin, the close friend of Robbie Jackson, played by Dean Gaffney.
During his three-year stint on the show, Kevin got into all sorts of mischief, including stealing Frank Butcher’s car and causing a riot. But it was his role as David Porter in the popular BBC sitcom 2point4 Children that made John a household name.
The show ran for eight seasons and followed the lives of a chaotic family living in suburban London. John’s portrayal of David, the hapless and loveable husband, was a hit with audiences. John also appeared in series 13 and 14 of the popular school drama “Grange Hill,” playing the character Neil Timpson. Despite their different paths, Nick and John Pickard have made their mark on British television.
