Hollyoaks fan favourite returns 25 years after first episode for very unexpected twist

Hollyoaks bosses have brought back a beloved character for a dramatic new storyline.

Ellis Hollins can be seen back as Tom Cunningham once again in a first-look clip from Tuesday's (July 8) episode of the Channel 4 soap.

In the new video, Tom appears in prison with fellow inmate Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey).

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Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) visits Rex unaware that Tom is also behind bars but the latter overhears their conversation about Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix).

Clare made a shock return from the dead last month and she has a brutal history with Tom.

Fans will remember Clare terrorising Tom as a child when she was busy fleecing his guardian brother Max Cunningham.

Clare went as far as locking up Tom as she drugged Max in dark scenes.

She even faked Tom's death to get a drugged Max to jump into an icy lake in an effort to kill hm and inherit his fortune for herself.

Tom fled Hollyoaks village last year with his half-sister Cindy Cunningham after they faced a dangerous showdown with gangster Blue aka Dave Williams (Dominic Power).

With a one-year time jump employed afterwards, it’s been two years since Tom last set foot in the eponymous village but why is he behind bars?

Upcoming scenes will see Tom get in touch with Donny Clark (Louis Emerick), who is investigating the death of DI Banks (Drew Cain), to offer him some information on Clare.

Rex, however, is pressured by Clare to murder Tom. With time ticking, in the prison yard with Tom appearing to be alone and friendless. Rex makes his move but does Tom have his own plan up his sleeve?

It seems we’re in for yet another chapter of this Tom and Clare rivalry but just who will come out victorious?

Speaking about his return, Ellis said: "It's very strange to come back at the same time as Clare.

"It's almost like they're gonna cross paths... but we'll see what happens.

"To really have that second chance for Tom to have redemption against Clare is important for a lot of people, as well as for Tom himself.

"It's gonna be so interesting to see whether Tom can get his revenge on Clare and whether he bides his time and how orchestrated it will be." Ellis' first episode as Tom aired on December 28 1999.

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am