A POPULAR Hollyoaks chatacter has returned to screens after a year away.
Tom Cunningham, played by Ellis Hollins, is back on the soap opera and his return has arrived with a bang.
Fans haven’t seen Tom since September of last year with 25-year-old actor Ellis having portrayed the role for most of his life, since 2003.
He ended up fleeing the village alongside his mum Cindy when they discovered that her partner was the notorious serial killer, Blue.
But in shock scenes this week, Tom makes his return to the Chester-based soap.
In an unexpected twist, fans will learn that he has been banged up and is behind bars.
His return scenes see him sat inside prison alongside Rex who is receving a visit from Ste Hay.
Whilst Ste and Rex are unaware that Tom is in ear-shot, he is left stunned to hear them discussing his former nemesis, Clare, played by Gemma Bissex.
It causes Tom to get in touch with Donny Clarke in order to offer up information on Clare.
But evil Clare is already one step ahead and issues a stark murder warning to Rex.
She tells him to get Tom killed inside the jail and have him dealt with once and for all.
Noticing Tom in a vulnerable state inside the jail, Rex realises that it could be his time to strike.
But will he be successful in murdering Tom or are there yet more twists to come.
The Sun that Tom would be coming back in line with Gemma’s shock soap return.
The pair have a brutalhistorywith Clare terrorising then child Tom when she was busy fleecing his guardian, brother Max Cunningham.
In dark scenes Claire had Tom locked up while she drugged Max.
She even faked Tom’s death to get a drugged Max to jump into an icy lake in an effort to kill him and take his fortune for herself.
A source said this year: “Tom is a huge fan favourite and was a major part of Clare’s first years in– but now he’s not a little boy anymore.
“Clare might have had the upper hand before but not anymore.
“It was a no brainer to revisit the battle and have a rematch. Bosses are really excited to have Gemma and Ellis back.
“Ellis’ stint will be part of the run up to the big 30th anniversary in October and there are huge plans underway for it.”;
