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Diane Hutchinson
Diane Hutchinson (also O'Connor) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alex Fletcher. The character made her first appearance on 1 September 2010. Diane was introduced into the series by Hollyoaks' executive producer Paul Marquess during his rejuvenation of the show, where he axed numerous characters and replaced them with new families. Fletcher began filming in June 2010, the same month her casting was publicised. Diane was introduced with her husband, Rob (Gary Cargill) and stepchildren, Sinead (Stephanie Davis) and Finn O'Connor (Connor Wilkinson). The O'Connors are one of three families that were introduced in 2010. Diane is characterised as a "loving wife" and a "devoted stepmum". Fletcher initially hoped that Diane would be likeable despite her over the top demeanour. Fletcher believed Diane has a good relationship with her stepchildren and was loath to portray her as "the wicked stepmother".
Diane's storylines originally focused on her fertility issues and subsequent In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Fletcher wanted to portray the storyline accurately because many women are affected by the issue. Diane's IVF treatment fails and she subsequently steals a baby from a hospital. Additional storylines include her divorce from Rob, dealing with Sinead and Finn's erratic behaviour, marrying Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), giving birth to twins and the discovery that her and Tegan Lomax's (Jessica Ellis) babies were swapped at birth. Diane later develops obsessive–compulsive disorder. Diane was killed-off on 13 May 2026 after featuring in a high-profile ovarian cancer storyline, which eventually claimed her life. Diane made temporary departures in 2015 and 2016. In 2018, Fletcher and Pickard were nominated for "Best Partnership" at the Inside Soap Awards.
In 2010, Hollyoaks acquired a new series producer, Paul Marquess. He embarked on the show's rejuvenation and axed a number of cast members. Marquess revealed that new characters had been created to compensate for the departures. Following the announcement of the new Sharpe and Costello families, Marquess told an Inside Soap reporter that a third new family would be introduced. The O'Connor family, described as a "four-member Liverpudlian tribe", were announced on 16 June 2010. It was announced that Fletcher had been cast in the role of step-mother of two, Diane. Gary Cargill was cast as Diane's husband, Rob, and Stephanie Davis and Connor Wilkinson were cast as her stepchildren, Sinead and Finn respectively. Of her role, Fletcher said, "I am delighted to be back filming at Lime Pictures where I started my career on Brookside – then Mersey TV. I worked with Paul on Brookside and I'm thrilled and honoured to be working with him again, especially as this is such an exciting time for Hollyoaks." Marquess commented, "We're very excited about the arrival of the O'Connors who burst onto screens in August with a very dramatic story-line. And I'm personally very excited to work with the fantastic Alex Fletcher again." Fletcher began filming her scenes in mid-June. She said working on the show is practical as she does not have to relocate.
Diane is described as a "loving wife" and a "devoted stepmum". Fletcher told Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that Diane is a good person because she has looked after two children who are not biologically hers. In comparison to Jacqui Dixon, a character Fletcher played in Brookside, Fletcher assessed that Diane "hasn't got so much of a sting in her tail". She added that Diane does not value her career as highly as Jacqui did and Diane is "a lot more sensitive and grown-up". Fletcher described Diane as "a little bit over the top" in her initial stories, but hoped she would become "quite likeable" and relatable. Diane is a marketing worker and is training to work for the local council. Fletcher explained to an OK! magazine reporter that Diane is the "rock of the family", adding that the O'Connor's are not a "dysfunctional family, they're quite normal". Fletcher also told Kilkelly of a great relationship between Diane, Sinead and Finn and loathed Diane becoming "the wicked stepmother". She acknowledged that scenes often become "erring towards" Diane being annoyed with them, but ultimately writers portray her as a good step-parent. In 2012, Fletcher told a reporter from K9 magazine that her own experiences of motherhood helped her to better play the motherly role of Diane. She revealed that Diane is "a really caring person but a bit nosey with it" because she is always keeping "a beady eye on" Sinead.
A writer from the official Hollyoaks website likened Diane to a "professional racing horse" because "she never gets an easy ride" in storylines. They detailed how being tasked with helping Sinead through young adulthood leaves her "worn out". They added that her need to support Sinead and Finn at times "made her unpopular".
Diane becomes desperate to have her own child and undergoes a second round of In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Fletcher told the Liverpool Echo that she really wanted to get the storyline right because it affects so many people. Fletcher added that she felt she had a "huge responsibility" to do the storyline justice. The actress later explained that Rob is not that keen on having any more children, because he already has children. Rob will do anything for Diane as she "pretty much stepped in and saved his life" with Sinead and Finn. The storyline looks at how Sinead and Finn cope with the pressure and disappointment of IVF and the potential arrival of a new baby brother or sister. Davis stated that Sinead is upset that Diane is desperate for a baby of her own. She said "I think she and her little brother are thinking, 'Well, aren't we good enough for you?' in a way." Davis added that Sinead is against Diane's IVF treatment. Fletcher called the storyline great because "there's just loads of avenues that they could take it down".
Diane's second round of IVF fails and she breaks down. Sinead comforts Diane, but Finn is glad as he "feels if Diane wants a baby it means she doesn't want him". Diane is "desperate" for a baby, and steals a baby boy from the hospital. She goes to the hospital to see a nurse and when she gets there, she finds the baby. Fletcher told a reporter from What's on TV that "the baby has been abandoned outside the hospital. Diane thinks it's an animal at first when she hears something crying – and when she looks it's a baby boy." There is no information left with the baby, so Diane reasons that his mother does not deserve him and takes him home. Fletcher explained that Diane takes the baby home rather than into the hospital because she believes that "she's doing the right thing and that she'll get in touch with social services." But, Diane "goes past the point of no return" and feels a bond with the baby and falls in love with him. Fletcher rationalised Diane's behaviour, stating "she's not a nut job. She's pumped full of hormones and the IVF hasn't worked. She's having a breakdown and she isn't thinking properly." Fletcher recalled of her shock upon discovering Diane would take the baby. She envisioned Diane being "a good woman" and stealing a child out of character until she gained more context within the story. Fletcher defended her character, noting Diane does not "steal a baby, she finds a baby, and that's kind of different."
In March 2016, Fletcher announced that she was pregnant and would be taking maternity leave from the show. This meant that the character had to be written out temporarily and she filmed the exit in May 2016. Diane's exit storyline saw herself and Tony forced to sell their restaurant to Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony) following months of her scheming to ruin the business. Diane and Tony return to working there but are treated unfairly by Marnie. Diane discovers that Marnie is having an affair with her daughter's boyfriend, Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) and blackmails her. Marnie decides she needs to get rid of Diane and calls an old friend who offers her a job in France, which Diane accepts.
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Diane Hutchinson
Diane Hutchinson (also O'Connor) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alex Fletcher. The character made her first appearance on 1 September 2010. Diane was introduced into the series by Hollyoaks' executive producer Paul Marquess during his rejuvenation of the show, where he axed numerous characters and replaced them with new families. Fletcher began filming in June 2010, the same month her casting was publicised. Diane was introduced with her husband, Rob (Gary Cargill) and stepchildren, Sinead (Stephanie Davis) and Finn O'Connor (Connor Wilkinson). The O'Connors are one of three families that were introduced in 2010. Diane is characterised as a "loving wife" and a "devoted stepmum". Fletcher initially hoped that Diane would be likeable despite her over the top demeanour. Fletcher believed Diane has a good relationship with her stepchildren and was loath to portray her as "the wicked stepmother".
Diane's storylines originally focused on her fertility issues and subsequent In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Fletcher wanted to portray the storyline accurately because many women are affected by the issue. Diane's IVF treatment fails and she subsequently steals a baby from a hospital. Additional storylines include her divorce from Rob, dealing with Sinead and Finn's erratic behaviour, marrying Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard), giving birth to twins and the discovery that her and Tegan Lomax's (Jessica Ellis) babies were swapped at birth. Diane later develops obsessive–compulsive disorder. Diane was killed-off on 13 May 2026 after featuring in a high-profile ovarian cancer storyline, which eventually claimed her life. Diane made temporary departures in 2015 and 2016. In 2018, Fletcher and Pickard were nominated for "Best Partnership" at the Inside Soap Awards.
In 2010, Hollyoaks acquired a new series producer, Paul Marquess. He embarked on the show's rejuvenation and axed a number of cast members. Marquess revealed that new characters had been created to compensate for the departures. Following the announcement of the new Sharpe and Costello families, Marquess told an Inside Soap reporter that a third new family would be introduced. The O'Connor family, described as a "four-member Liverpudlian tribe", were announced on 16 June 2010. It was announced that Fletcher had been cast in the role of step-mother of two, Diane. Gary Cargill was cast as Diane's husband, Rob, and Stephanie Davis and Connor Wilkinson were cast as her stepchildren, Sinead and Finn respectively. Of her role, Fletcher said, "I am delighted to be back filming at Lime Pictures where I started my career on Brookside – then Mersey TV. I worked with Paul on Brookside and I'm thrilled and honoured to be working with him again, especially as this is such an exciting time for Hollyoaks." Marquess commented, "We're very excited about the arrival of the O'Connors who burst onto screens in August with a very dramatic story-line. And I'm personally very excited to work with the fantastic Alex Fletcher again." Fletcher began filming her scenes in mid-June. She said working on the show is practical as she does not have to relocate.
Diane is described as a "loving wife" and a "devoted stepmum". Fletcher told Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that Diane is a good person because she has looked after two children who are not biologically hers. In comparison to Jacqui Dixon, a character Fletcher played in Brookside, Fletcher assessed that Diane "hasn't got so much of a sting in her tail". She added that Diane does not value her career as highly as Jacqui did and Diane is "a lot more sensitive and grown-up". Fletcher described Diane as "a little bit over the top" in her initial stories, but hoped she would become "quite likeable" and relatable. Diane is a marketing worker and is training to work for the local council. Fletcher explained to an OK! magazine reporter that Diane is the "rock of the family", adding that the O'Connor's are not a "dysfunctional family, they're quite normal". Fletcher also told Kilkelly of a great relationship between Diane, Sinead and Finn and loathed Diane becoming "the wicked stepmother". She acknowledged that scenes often become "erring towards" Diane being annoyed with them, but ultimately writers portray her as a good step-parent. In 2012, Fletcher told a reporter from K9 magazine that her own experiences of motherhood helped her to better play the motherly role of Diane. She revealed that Diane is "a really caring person but a bit nosey with it" because she is always keeping "a beady eye on" Sinead.
A writer from the official Hollyoaks website likened Diane to a "professional racing horse" because "she never gets an easy ride" in storylines. They detailed how being tasked with helping Sinead through young adulthood leaves her "worn out". They added that her need to support Sinead and Finn at times "made her unpopular".
Diane becomes desperate to have her own child and undergoes a second round of In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Fletcher told the Liverpool Echo that she really wanted to get the storyline right because it affects so many people. Fletcher added that she felt she had a "huge responsibility" to do the storyline justice. The actress later explained that Rob is not that keen on having any more children, because he already has children. Rob will do anything for Diane as she "pretty much stepped in and saved his life" with Sinead and Finn. The storyline looks at how Sinead and Finn cope with the pressure and disappointment of IVF and the potential arrival of a new baby brother or sister. Davis stated that Sinead is upset that Diane is desperate for a baby of her own. She said "I think she and her little brother are thinking, 'Well, aren't we good enough for you?' in a way." Davis added that Sinead is against Diane's IVF treatment. Fletcher called the storyline great because "there's just loads of avenues that they could take it down".
Diane's second round of IVF fails and she breaks down. Sinead comforts Diane, but Finn is glad as he "feels if Diane wants a baby it means she doesn't want him". Diane is "desperate" for a baby, and steals a baby boy from the hospital. She goes to the hospital to see a nurse and when she gets there, she finds the baby. Fletcher told a reporter from What's on TV that "the baby has been abandoned outside the hospital. Diane thinks it's an animal at first when she hears something crying – and when she looks it's a baby boy." There is no information left with the baby, so Diane reasons that his mother does not deserve him and takes him home. Fletcher explained that Diane takes the baby home rather than into the hospital because she believes that "she's doing the right thing and that she'll get in touch with social services." But, Diane "goes past the point of no return" and feels a bond with the baby and falls in love with him. Fletcher rationalised Diane's behaviour, stating "she's not a nut job. She's pumped full of hormones and the IVF hasn't worked. She's having a breakdown and she isn't thinking properly." Fletcher recalled of her shock upon discovering Diane would take the baby. She envisioned Diane being "a good woman" and stealing a child out of character until she gained more context within the story. Fletcher defended her character, noting Diane does not "steal a baby, she finds a baby, and that's kind of different."
In March 2016, Fletcher announced that she was pregnant and would be taking maternity leave from the show. This meant that the character had to be written out temporarily and she filmed the exit in May 2016. Diane's exit storyline saw herself and Tony forced to sell their restaurant to Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony) following months of her scheming to ruin the business. Diane and Tony return to working there but are treated unfairly by Marnie. Diane discovers that Marnie is having an affair with her daughter's boyfriend, Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) and blackmails her. Marnie decides she needs to get rid of Diane and calls an old friend who offers her a job in France, which Diane accepts.