Cindy Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Cindy Longford is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Stephanie Waring
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 30 October 1995, then played by Laura Crossley
, as the youngest daughter of Gordon
(Bernard Latham) and Angela Cunningham (Liz Stooke).
In 1996, Crossley quit the serial and the role was recast to actress Stephanie Waring. Waring remained with the soap until 2001, when she quit the role. Waring reprised the role briefly in 2002 and 2004 before returning to Hollyoaks as a full-time character in June 2008, reintroduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood
. In 2010, Waring became pregnant and her character was temporarily written out for Waring's maternity leave. Waring confirmed on her Twitter page at the beginning of December that she had received scripts for her return to the show. She returned to filming in January 2011 and returned on 9 March 2011. Waring has been nominated for several awards for her part as Cindy.
as well as her father Gordon Cunningham
and mother Angela Cunningham as well as her sisters Dawn Cunningham
and Jude Cunningham and one brother Max Cunningham
.
Auditions were held for the part of Cindy with actress Laura Crossley going onto secure the part in 1995. Crossley quit the show the following year and the decision was made to recast the part so actress Stephanie Waring
stepped into the role with immediate effect and remained with the show until 2001. In 2002 Waring admitted she would like to return to the series and later reprised the role in with 2004 for a brief stint. In 2008 news surfaced that the character was to be reintroduced to the series. It was later confirmed producer Bryan Kirkwood had asked Stephanie to reprise her role along with Sarah Jayne-Dunn for the exit of their on-screen brother Max Cunningham on an initial six month contract. This was because at the time the series had lost many of its long term characters and he felt it was time to bring some characters from the past back. She remained with the series until 2010, when Waring took maternity leave before returning on 9 March 2011.
In an interview with PA, Stephanie Waring
, who plays the character, said she wanted to see Cindy tackle more emotional storylines. She stated, "It's really fun to play the comedy and the manipulative bitch, but for me personally I feel more at home doing the drama — so it was really nice to get scripts again that show that. As much as I love doing the comedy, this is where I feel at home so I'm hoping there is more to come."
Waring also admitted that growing older has helped her cope better with Hollyoaks. "There is a different vibe since I was here last time", she continued, "I'm a lot older as well so my life is completely different so I'm handling it a lot better than I probably did when I was 18. When you're 18 and start a new show you don't know anything about life. It will be difficult for anybody. But now after being away, doing other things and growing up you approach it from a different angle. It's work at the end of the day and you go home and you've got your family. And that's what it's about. Doing what you love."
In 2010, a new plot saw Cindy's daughter Holly
run away. During an interview with Digital Spy, Waring was asked whether she felt the storyline would change Cindy permanently, she replied: "Definitely. I hope so. I hope not to the extent that they stop making her fun. She says what she thinks but she's got a vulnerable side as well. She doesn't want to be seen as joker all the time. I hope they keep that but that she becomes a better mother because of it. I just hope we don't lose the essence of Cindy." Waring claimed that the plot made her emotional, she told PA: "I'm a mother myself so I have to put myself in that position and think how I'd feel how if it happened to me. Going there even a little bit made me break down completely. I can't even think about it. Even when I'm watching stuff on TV involving kids being hurt I get a lump in my throat and have to give her a cuddle when she's asleep!" Despite promising Cindy would change, in an interview with Radio Times
, Waring stated that viewers have not seen the last of her unpleasant side, which she dubbed "uber-Cindy". She commented: "I'm excited about [it]. It's so much more exciting to play a character with character. I see [her] as a 'fun bitch' rather than a nasty one like [Coronation Street
's] Tracy
or [Hollyoaks] Clare Devine
. Cindy has a swagger and delusions of grandeur and I think people love to hate that."
had decided to bring back Stephanie Waring
to reprise her role as Cindy for the wedding, and funeral, of her on-screen brother Max
.
Speaking to Digital Spy
in 2009 of her return, Waring stated: "It's flattering to think the return's been successful because I was a bit worried. At first I thought, 'How are we going to make this work?' but Bryan [Kirkwood] was very clear with what he wanted. He was going to bring Cindy back as this larger than life character. We don't actually know what went on in Spain and what changed her over these last few years and we find out a little bit why in Hollyoaks Later which kind of brings it round full circle."
She continued about her future with the soap: "I don't have any plans to leave — I'm very, very happy. I say bring it on to whatever the producers want to give me. I do have a couple of projects that I'm working on myself. I have something that I'm currently writing — I wrote something a few years ago and I'm currently working on that. I like having something of my own as well as Hollyoaks." During 2009, Waring signed an 18-month contract to stay on the soap. She told PA: "I am contracted until next April so a long time yet. I'd love to stay as long as they want me. I got an 18-month contract, which they offered me last September. I was really surprised. They are usually six months or a year."
Cindy's 'gold-digging' personality became clearer after her return. Cindy and Darren Osborne
decided to scam Tony Hutchinson
out of his money. However, the character changed her plans and decided not to marry Tony for his money. Talking about the conclusion of the storyline, Waring stated: "I think she's definitely out for what she can get — she's always going to be up to something! We're going to have to see what happens with this but I don't think she'll change who she's become over the last eight years in Spain. It's important that we see she's not this one-dimensional gold-digging tart, though. There were some episodes in normal Hollyoaks where we saw this a little bit when she thought Tony was just with her for her looks and Holly didn't want to be like her. In Later this spills out again and we get to see more of the Cindy there once was before moving to Spain." In another interview, she said: "She uses her outer image to hide who she really is inside and in Later we discover she's just a normal girl who wants to find love and security and have a secure life with her daughter and have a family — she's found that in Tony." After their postponed wedding, Cindy admitted her plans to Tony and the pair split up, however they agreed to get married, which they did in Hollyoaks Later.
In 2010, it was announced that Waring was pregnant and would leave Hollyoaks to go on maternity leave, returning in early 2011.
(Bernard Latham) tells Cindy she has responsibilities and forces her to look after the baby, named Holly (Lydia Waters). Cindy grows depressed and tries to suffocate Holly; however, her sister Jude (Davinia Taylor
) stops her from going through with it and makes her realise that she truly loves her daughter.
After an uneasy few years of looking after Holly, Cindy and local decorator Sean Tate begin a relationship. Behind Cindy's back, Sean begins to mistreat Holly. He is caught locking her in a fridge by Max Cunningham
(Matt Littler
). The social services get involved in Cindy's motherhood when Holly is burnt by a firework. Cindy sees no other option but to leave the country with Holly and Sean to get the social services off of her back. However, Holly does not have a passport and therefore Sean abandons the pair. Cindy returns to the village and begins to adapt to the life of a single mother.
Cindy settles into her new business venture, "Steam Team" and she falls head over heels for fire-fighter Ben Davies
(Marcus Patric
). Cindy and Ben's relationship is on and off for a year after her cheating with Dan Hunter (Andrew McNair
) and Sam "O.B." O'Brien (Darren Jeffries
). After beginning work at The Loft, Cindy leaves Holly asleep in the cloak room, where she finds and swallows an ecstasy tablet. After Holly is rushed to hospital, Cindy realises the social services will soon be involved. Cindy then decides to flee the country to avoid having Holly taken from her. On her dash to the airport, Cindy runs over Anna Green
(Lisa Kay) with her car. Shocked, Cindy leaves Anna for dead and leaves for Spain.
Cindy returns from Spain in May 2002 with Holly. She secretly needs money but keeps her agenda for returning secret, she then decides to scam Max and O.B. out of their money. During her minor return, Cindy is involved in an affair with Scott Anderson
(Daniel Hyde
), who is cheating on Steph Dean (Carley Stenson
). After two months, Cindy manages to clear Max and O.B.'s bank accounts and leaves for Spain once more. When she returns to Spain, Cindy begins working as a pole dancer in a nightclub, where she befriends fellow worker Savannah Madeiros (Nicola Stapleton
).
In October 2004, Cindy returns to Hollyoaks once again for her father Gordon's funeral. During this time, Cindy reveals she has a bar in Spain. After several arguments, Cindy gives Max and O.B. their money back, which helps them save their business. Cindy then vows never to return and departs for Spain. Back in her normal life, Cindy is deceived by Savannah, who uses Holly to smuggle drugs and scams her out of a large amount of money. Cindy begins a relationship with a wealthy man named Phillip. However, he begins to be violent towards her, so she leaves Spain, taking his money with her.
(Jamie Lomas
), Cindy and Darren Osborne
(Ashley Taylor Dawson
) begin a relationship, which ends when he is sent to prison. Cindy then starts a short-lived relationship with Rhys Ashworth
(Andrew Moss
) until Darren's release. Cindy discovers an affair between Mandy Richardson
(Sarah Jayne Dunn
) and Warren. Cindy becomes enemies with Warren's fiancée Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee
) after trying to seduce Warren.
After starting work at Il Gnosh restaurant, Cindy and Tony Hutchinson
(Nick Pickard
) become a couple, despite Darren's jealousy. Darren tells Cindy he loves her and the pair come up with a plan for Cindy to marry and scam Tony as Darren runs The Dog in the Pond
into the ground so they can buy it cheaply. Cindy settles into married life, and Tony's money. At Christmas, Cindy assumes Tony has bought her an expensive gift, but is disappointed to discover he has gained Holly a place in private school. After Tony buys Tan & Tumble, Cindy takes the shop over and turns it into clothing shop, Cincerity. Despite Tony's negative views, Cindy is determined to prove him wrong. Holly runs away from home after feeling neglected and seeing Tony give Theresa McQueen
(Jorgie Porter
) a friendly kiss. Cindy believes her disappearance is just for attention. However, after police find Holly's school bag battered and left in a dustbin, Cindy begins to fear the worst and assumes Holly has been abducted. A nationwide search goes underway. Holly, who had been hiding at Spencer Gray
's (Darren John Langford
) flat, is found by Jake Dean
(Kevin Sacre
). Holly is knocked unconscious and Cindy accuses Jake of kidnapping her. As Holly lies in a coma, Cindy feels Tony is not supportive and turns to Darren for comfort, believing her marriage is over. When Holly wakes up, Tony has a heart-to-heart with her, which Cindy overhears. She then gives him a second chance. To get their marriage back on track, Cindy suggests they move to North Wales. Tony disagrees, but begins to view properties in the area. While there, he helps Gabby Sharpe
(Phina Oruche
), who is run over. After a week caring for Gabby, Tony realises that he does not really love Cindy, so returns and tells her he wants a divorce.
Cindy meets Alistair Longford (Terence Harvey), a rich pensioner who assumes Cindy saved him from choking to death, when it was in fact Myra McQueen
(Nicole Barber-Lane
). Alistair and Cindy go on several dates, and after only a few days of knowing each other, he proposes marriage. Cindy is taken aback, but accepts when she discovers he is a multi-millionaire. However, Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper
) blackmails Cindy, threatening to tell Alistair that it was Myra who saved his life. Jacqui and Myra then plan Cindy's wedding. Steph is horrified to discover Cindy is marrying Alistair, who is in his seventies. Alistair's mother Blanche Longford (Georgina Hale
) arrives in Hollyoaks after being called by his granddaughters India Longford
(Beth Kingston) and Texas Longford
(Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) in an attempt to sabotage the wedding. Blanche's plans fail, but she refuses to believe Cindy truly loves Alistair. Cindy is eventually made to tell Alistair that Myra had actually saved his life. However, this does not hinder Alistair's decision to marry her. On the day of the wedding, Darren tries to talk Cindy out of it and asks her to marry him, which she rejects. Blanche witnesses Darren and Cindy together and during the wedding, tells Alistair that they are having an affair. Darren and Cindy deny an affair and the wedding goes ahead. Before she leaves for her honeymoon, Cindy apologises to Steph and says goodbye, knowing it may be the last time she sees her as Steph is terminally ill with cancer. Cindy assures Holly she has only married Alistair to secure her a good life. Alistair and Cindy then leave, although she seems displeased when he reveals he has bought viagra.
In March 2011, Tony is shocked to discover that Cindy is the buy of The Look Sharpe Spa having become a millionaress, following the death of Alistair, she decides to make changes by introducing a new uniform and changing the name of the Spa. She later goes to visit Darren and is shocked to discover he is the father of twins, she later employs him as her chauffeur, but Nancy Hayton
(Jessica Fox
) tells him not to do the job but he tells her that it is good money do doesn't listen to her, but Cindy is later annoyed when he discovers Nancy will be in the car with them. She later befriends Noah Baxter (Law Thompson) who also work at the Spa. She and Cheryl Brady
(Bronagh Waugh
) decided to have a party for Gays in which she employs Tony to be a waiter for the evening. He agrees to carry on with the job because of the money he is being paid although he is purposefully made to feel uncomfortable when he is repeatedly slapped on the bum.
When Mandy returned to Hollyoaks as manager of Cinergy, Mandy & Texas Longford
(Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) planned to scam Cindy out of her money, buy getting her to buy fake expensive paintings, they also got Cindy to buy a snake, which is later revealed is poisonous and all hell breaks lose when the snake escapes.
s wedding was nominated at the Inside Soap Awards
for best wedding but lost out. In 2009 Stephanie Waring was nominated for best bitch but lost out to Charlie Brooks
. Waring was also shortlisted for Best Dramatic Performance for her role in Holly's disappearance in 2010 at the Inside Soap Awards.
The Sun's magazine Buzz branded Cindy "money mad". She was described by STV
as a "manipulative man-eater". Whilst Georgine Little-John writing for the Daily Mail
branded Cindy "conniving and money-hungry". I Channel 5's Holy Soap
said "Cindy can only be described as a tart with a heart (albeit of stone). She's had more lovers than she can count and one can't help but admire her ability to land on her feet time and time again." E4 described Cindy as "sly and conniving" and commented that her "grief at the loss of her brother Max has done little to curb her manipulative personality".
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the British Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, played by Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring (born 19 February 1978; Urmston, Greater Manchester, England is an English actress, best known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in the early evening soap opera Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 30 October 1995, then played by Laura Crossley
Laura Crossley
Laura Crossley is a British actress.-Career:Crossley played the role of Martha in The Secret Garden , the Agnieszka Holland-directed adaptation of the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel...
, as the youngest daughter of Gordon
Gordon Cunningham
Gordon Hilton Cunningham is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bernard Latham. He first appeared as one of the original characters on the show when it started, he left in 2004 when the character died of a heart attack which he had after being...
(Bernard Latham) and Angela Cunningham (Liz Stooke).
In 1996, Crossley quit the serial and the role was recast to actress Stephanie Waring. Waring remained with the soap until 2001, when she quit the role. Waring reprised the role briefly in 2002 and 2004 before returning to Hollyoaks as a full-time character in June 2008, reintroduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood (producer)
Bryan Kirkwood is a Scottish-born British television producer. He was the producer of teen Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and has been the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders since 2010.- Personal life :...
. In 2010, Waring became pregnant and her character was temporarily written out for Waring's maternity leave. Waring confirmed on her Twitter page at the beginning of December that she had received scripts for her return to the show. She returned to filming in January 2011 and returned on 9 March 2011. Waring has been nominated for several awards for her part as Cindy.
Character creation and casting
Cindy was created as one of the original characters of Hollyoaks as well as one of the original members of the Cunningham familyCunningham family
The Cunningham family are a fictional family in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks. The family were one of the original families introduced in 1995, debuting on the first ever episode of Hollyoaks...
as well as her father Gordon Cunningham
Gordon Cunningham
Gordon Hilton Cunningham is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bernard Latham. He first appeared as one of the original characters on the show when it started, he left in 2004 when the character died of a heart attack which he had after being...
and mother Angela Cunningham as well as her sisters Dawn Cunningham
Dawn Cunningham
Dawn Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lisa Williamson. Williamson was cast as one of the original characters on Hollyoaks in 1995, however she left in 1997 when the character died....
and Jude Cunningham and one brother Max Cunningham
Max Cunningham
Max Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matt Littler. From 1995 to 1996, Max was portrayed by Ben Sheriff before Littler took over. In 2008, Max, along with Tony Hutchinson , was the longest running character in Hollyoaks...
.
Auditions were held for the part of Cindy with actress Laura Crossley going onto secure the part in 1995. Crossley quit the show the following year and the decision was made to recast the part so actress Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring (born 19 February 1978; Urmston, Greater Manchester, England is an English actress, best known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in the early evening soap opera Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
stepped into the role with immediate effect and remained with the show until 2001. In 2002 Waring admitted she would like to return to the series and later reprised the role in with 2004 for a brief stint. In 2008 news surfaced that the character was to be reintroduced to the series. It was later confirmed producer Bryan Kirkwood had asked Stephanie to reprise her role along with Sarah Jayne-Dunn for the exit of their on-screen brother Max Cunningham on an initial six month contract. This was because at the time the series had lost many of its long term characters and he felt it was time to bring some characters from the past back. She remained with the series until 2010, when Waring took maternity leave before returning on 9 March 2011.
Characterisation
The Channel 4 publicity website for Hollyoaks have described the character as having a manipulative personality, not being even curbed by the death of her brother. Also that she constantly enjoys stirring up other people's lives.In an interview with PA, Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring (born 19 February 1978; Urmston, Greater Manchester, England is an English actress, best known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in the early evening soap opera Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
, who plays the character, said she wanted to see Cindy tackle more emotional storylines. She stated, "It's really fun to play the comedy and the manipulative bitch, but for me personally I feel more at home doing the drama — so it was really nice to get scripts again that show that. As much as I love doing the comedy, this is where I feel at home so I'm hoping there is more to come."
Waring also admitted that growing older has helped her cope better with Hollyoaks. "There is a different vibe since I was here last time", she continued, "I'm a lot older as well so my life is completely different so I'm handling it a lot better than I probably did when I was 18. When you're 18 and start a new show you don't know anything about life. It will be difficult for anybody. But now after being away, doing other things and growing up you approach it from a different angle. It's work at the end of the day and you go home and you've got your family. And that's what it's about. Doing what you love."
In 2010, a new plot saw Cindy's daughter Holly
Holly Hutchinson
Holly Hutchinson is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lydia Waters.-Casting:...
run away. During an interview with Digital Spy, Waring was asked whether she felt the storyline would change Cindy permanently, she replied: "Definitely. I hope so. I hope not to the extent that they stop making her fun. She says what she thinks but she's got a vulnerable side as well. She doesn't want to be seen as joker all the time. I hope they keep that but that she becomes a better mother because of it. I just hope we don't lose the essence of Cindy." Waring claimed that the plot made her emotional, she told PA: "I'm a mother myself so I have to put myself in that position and think how I'd feel how if it happened to me. Going there even a little bit made me break down completely. I can't even think about it. Even when I'm watching stuff on TV involving kids being hurt I get a lump in my throat and have to give her a cuddle when she's asleep!" Despite promising Cindy would change, in an interview with Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
, Waring stated that viewers have not seen the last of her unpleasant side, which she dubbed "uber-Cindy". She commented: "I'm excited about [it]. It's so much more exciting to play a character with character. I see [her] as a 'fun bitch' rather than a nasty one like [Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
's] Tracy
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
or [Hollyoaks] Clare Devine
Clare Devine
Clare Devine is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gemma Bissix and Samantha Rowley. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 26 December 2005 and was introduced by series producer David Hanson as a new love interest for Max Cunningham...
. Cindy has a swagger and delusions of grandeur and I think people love to hate that."
Return (2008)
In 2008, it was announced Hollyoaks producer Bryan KirkwoodBryan Kirkwood (producer)
Bryan Kirkwood is a Scottish-born British television producer. He was the producer of teen Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and has been the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders since 2010.- Personal life :...
had decided to bring back Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring (born 19 February 1978; Urmston, Greater Manchester, England is an English actress, best known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in the early evening soap opera Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
to reprise her role as Cindy for the wedding, and funeral, of her on-screen brother Max
Max Cunningham
Max Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matt Littler. From 1995 to 1996, Max was portrayed by Ben Sheriff before Littler took over. In 2008, Max, along with Tony Hutchinson , was the longest running character in Hollyoaks...
.
Speaking to Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
in 2009 of her return, Waring stated: "It's flattering to think the return's been successful because I was a bit worried. At first I thought, 'How are we going to make this work?' but Bryan [Kirkwood] was very clear with what he wanted. He was going to bring Cindy back as this larger than life character. We don't actually know what went on in Spain and what changed her over these last few years and we find out a little bit why in Hollyoaks Later which kind of brings it round full circle."
She continued about her future with the soap: "I don't have any plans to leave — I'm very, very happy. I say bring it on to whatever the producers want to give me. I do have a couple of projects that I'm working on myself. I have something that I'm currently writing — I wrote something a few years ago and I'm currently working on that. I like having something of my own as well as Hollyoaks." During 2009, Waring signed an 18-month contract to stay on the soap. She told PA: "I am contracted until next April so a long time yet. I'd love to stay as long as they want me. I got an 18-month contract, which they offered me last September. I was really surprised. They are usually six months or a year."
Cindy's 'gold-digging' personality became clearer after her return. Cindy and Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Darren was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family. Darren made his first on-screen appearance on 18 November 1996 and was initially played by Adam Booth, before the Booth...
decided to scam Tony Hutchinson
Tony Hutchinson
Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day...
out of his money. However, the character changed her plans and decided not to marry Tony for his money. Talking about the conclusion of the storyline, Waring stated: "I think she's definitely out for what she can get — she's always going to be up to something! We're going to have to see what happens with this but I don't think she'll change who she's become over the last eight years in Spain. It's important that we see she's not this one-dimensional gold-digging tart, though. There were some episodes in normal Hollyoaks where we saw this a little bit when she thought Tony was just with her for her looks and Holly didn't want to be like her. In Later this spills out again and we get to see more of the Cindy there once was before moving to Spain." In another interview, she said: "She uses her outer image to hide who she really is inside and in Later we discover she's just a normal girl who wants to find love and security and have a secure life with her daughter and have a family — she's found that in Tony." After their postponed wedding, Cindy admitted her plans to Tony and the pair split up, however they agreed to get married, which they did in Hollyoaks Later.
In 2010, it was announced that Waring was pregnant and would leave Hollyoaks to go on maternity leave, returning in early 2011.
1995–2004
On her sixteenth birthday, Cindy succumbs to the charms of Lee Stanley (Nathan Valente) and falls pregnant. Cindy conceals this, and after giving birth, abandons the child. GordonGordon Cunningham
Gordon Hilton Cunningham is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bernard Latham. He first appeared as one of the original characters on the show when it started, he left in 2004 when the character died of a heart attack which he had after being...
(Bernard Latham) tells Cindy she has responsibilities and forces her to look after the baby, named Holly (Lydia Waters). Cindy grows depressed and tries to suffocate Holly; however, her sister Jude (Davinia Taylor
Davinia Taylor
Davinia Taylor is an English actress and socialite.-Career:Taylor attended Rossall School, Bolton School and then Winstanley Sixth Form College from 1994, studying theatre and Performing arts A Levels. She left before finishing her course to work as a model...
) stops her from going through with it and makes her realise that she truly loves her daughter.
After an uneasy few years of looking after Holly, Cindy and local decorator Sean Tate begin a relationship. Behind Cindy's back, Sean begins to mistreat Holly. He is caught locking her in a fridge by Max Cunningham
Max Cunningham
Max Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matt Littler. From 1995 to 1996, Max was portrayed by Ben Sheriff before Littler took over. In 2008, Max, along with Tony Hutchinson , was the longest running character in Hollyoaks...
(Matt Littler
Matt Littler
Matt Littler is a British actor and director born in Bury, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. He is most famous for playing the role Max Cunningham from 1997 to 2008 in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.- Career :...
). The social services get involved in Cindy's motherhood when Holly is burnt by a firework. Cindy sees no other option but to leave the country with Holly and Sean to get the social services off of her back. However, Holly does not have a passport and therefore Sean abandons the pair. Cindy returns to the village and begins to adapt to the life of a single mother.
Cindy settles into her new business venture, "Steam Team" and she falls head over heels for fire-fighter Ben Davies
Ben Davies (Hollyoaks)
Benjamin "Ben" Davies is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Marcus Patric. He first appeared in 2000 and, after departing from the main show in 2005, made further appearances in spin-offs, Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, which...
(Marcus Patric
Marcus Patric
Marcus Patric is an English actor, possibly best known for the role of Ben Davies in the British soap opera Hollyoaks and its spin-offs Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, which he won after entering the televised open-audition "Hollyoaks: On The Pull".-Filmography:*2000 - 2005...
). Cindy and Ben's relationship is on and off for a year after her cheating with Dan Hunter (Andrew McNair
Andrew McNair (actor)
Andrew "Andy" McNair , is a British actor, probably best known for his role on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
) and Sam "O.B." O'Brien (Darren Jeffries
Darren Jeffries
Darren Jeffries is a British actor best known for his portrayal of Sam "O.B." O'Brien in Channel 4 soap-opera Hollyoaks. In 2007, after ten years of playing O.B., Darren announced that he was leaving the soap...
). After beginning work at The Loft, Cindy leaves Holly asleep in the cloak room, where she finds and swallows an ecstasy tablet. After Holly is rushed to hospital, Cindy realises the social services will soon be involved. Cindy then decides to flee the country to avoid having Holly taken from her. On her dash to the airport, Cindy runs over Anna Green
Anna Green (Hollyoaks)
Anna Green is a fictional character on the long-running Channel 4 British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Lisa M. Kay between 1999-2002.-Character history:...
(Lisa Kay) with her car. Shocked, Cindy leaves Anna for dead and leaves for Spain.
Cindy returns from Spain in May 2002 with Holly. She secretly needs money but keeps her agenda for returning secret, she then decides to scam Max and O.B. out of their money. During her minor return, Cindy is involved in an affair with Scott Anderson
Scott Anderson (Hollyoaks)
Scott Anderson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Daniel Hyde.-Storylines:Ambitious and possessive, Scott had a mean streak that can quickly offend, but when need be he can easily turn on the charm...
(Daniel Hyde
Daniel Hyde
Daniel Hyde is a British actor most notable for his roles as Scott Anderson in Hollyoaks and Jason Wilding in Family Affairs....
), who is cheating on Steph Dean (Carley Stenson
Carley Stenson
Carley Anne Stenson is an English actress and singer, best known for playing Steph Cunningham in the Channel 4 series Hollyoaks. She also appeared as a performer in Abbamania, and is a member of the all-female band Diamond...
). After two months, Cindy manages to clear Max and O.B.'s bank accounts and leaves for Spain once more. When she returns to Spain, Cindy begins working as a pole dancer in a nightclub, where she befriends fellow worker Savannah Madeiros (Nicola Stapleton
Nicola Stapleton
Nicola Kathleen Stapleton is an English actress. Stapleton began her career at an early age. She is most famous for her work on British television, in particular her roles as Mandy Salter in BBC's EastEnders and Janine Nebeski in ITV's Bad Girls.-Early life:Stapleton grew up off East Street, which...
).
In October 2004, Cindy returns to Hollyoaks once again for her father Gordon's funeral. During this time, Cindy reveals she has a bar in Spain. After several arguments, Cindy gives Max and O.B. their money back, which helps them save their business. Cindy then vows never to return and departs for Spain. Back in her normal life, Cindy is deceived by Savannah, who uses Holly to smuggle drugs and scams her out of a large amount of money. Cindy begins a relationship with a wealthy man named Phillip. However, he begins to be violent towards her, so she leaves Spain, taking his money with her.
2008—
Cindy and Holly return in June 2008 after escaping from Phillip with his money. Cindy moves in with Max and has her doubt about his fiancée Steph, believing she is only interested in his money. After Max is killed, Cindy uses his death as an excuse to get sympathy and decides to stay. After being rejected by Warren FoxWarren Fox
Warren Fox is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jamie Lomas. He first arrived in 2006 as an old acquaintance of Sean Kennedy and quickly became known as the show's main villain...
(Jamie Lomas
Jamie Lomas
Jamie Lomas is an English actor best known for his role as bad boy Warren Fox on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks....
), Cindy and Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Darren was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family. Darren made his first on-screen appearance on 18 November 1996 and was initially played by Adam Booth, before the Booth...
(Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson is an English actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Darren Osborne in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, in which he is one of the longest serving cast members and as being a member of UK pop band allSTARS*.-Personal life:Ashley Dawson was born Wilmslow,...
) begin a relationship, which ends when he is sent to prison. Cindy then starts a short-lived relationship with Rhys Ashworth
Rhys Ashworth
Rhys Lesley Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Andrew Moss. He made his first on-screen appearance on 4 October 2005.-Character creation and casting:...
(Andrew Moss
Andrew Moss
Andrew "Andy" Moss is an English television actor. He is currently best known for playing Rhys Ashworth in the Channel 4 teenage soap opera Hollyoaks since 2005.-TV credits:...
) until Darren's release. Cindy discovers an affair between Mandy Richardson
Mandy Richardson
Mandy Richardson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sarah Jayne Dunn...
(Sarah Jayne Dunn
Sarah Jayne Dunn
Sarah Jayne Dunn is an English actress best known for playing Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks.-Biography:Dunn was born in Leigh, Lancashire and educated at Lowton High School, excelling in drama and performing arts, and a part time career as a model...
) and Warren. Cindy becomes enemies with Warren's fiancée Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee
Roxanne McKee
-Biography:After completing a BA degree in 2001 in Social Policy & Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, McKee rose to fame by winning Hollyoaks On The Pull, a Channel 4 initiative to discover new talent for the popular British soap Hollyoaks...
) after trying to seduce Warren.
After starting work at Il Gnosh restaurant, Cindy and Tony Hutchinson
Tony Hutchinson
Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day...
(Nick Pickard
Nick Pickard
Nicholas "Nick" Pickard is an English actor, best known for his role as Tony Hutchinson on soap opera Hollyoaks.He is currently the longest serving cast member and appeared in the very first episode in 1995...
) become a couple, despite Darren's jealousy. Darren tells Cindy he loves her and the pair come up with a plan for Cindy to marry and scam Tony as Darren runs The Dog in the Pond
The Dog in the Pond
The Dog in the Pond is a fictional public house in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. It has been at the centre of the show's setting since it began in 1995. The pub was burnt down in episodes airing in September 2006 during the 'Fire at The Dog', which killed five regular characters...
into the ground so they can buy it cheaply. Cindy settles into married life, and Tony's money. At Christmas, Cindy assumes Tony has bought her an expensive gift, but is disappointed to discover he has gained Holly a place in private school. After Tony buys Tan & Tumble, Cindy takes the shop over and turns it into clothing shop, Cincerity. Despite Tony's negative views, Cindy is determined to prove him wrong. Holly runs away from home after feeling neglected and seeing Tony give Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jorgie Porter. She made her first appearance in November 2008. The character was introduced as an extension of already established McQueen family...
(Jorgie Porter
Jorgie Porter
Jorgina Alexandra "Jorgie" Porter, is an English actress, notable for her role as Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks...
) a friendly kiss. Cindy believes her disappearance is just for attention. However, after police find Holly's school bag battered and left in a dustbin, Cindy begins to fear the worst and assumes Holly has been abducted. A nationwide search goes underway. Holly, who had been hiding at Spencer Gray
Spencer Gray
Spencer Gray is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Darren John Langford. The character first appeared on-screen in December 2008. He initially appeared as the former foster brother of Warren Fox, turning up after the death of his mother...
's (Darren John Langford
Darren John Langford
Darren John Langford is a British actor who is best notable for playing the mentally disabled character Spencer Gray in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Apart from Hollyoaks, Langford has not had any major television roles...
) flat, is found by Jake Dean
Jake Dean
Jake Dean is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kevin Sacre. Sacre portrayed the character between 2002 and 2008, before making a return on 5 October 2009. In March 2010, Sacre was axed from the series by Paul Marquess during his major revamp and cast...
(Kevin Sacre
Kevin Sacre
Kevin Sacre is a British actor. He is most famous for his performance as Jake Dean in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role he played from 2002 to 2010.-Early life:...
). Holly is knocked unconscious and Cindy accuses Jake of kidnapping her. As Holly lies in a coma, Cindy feels Tony is not supportive and turns to Darren for comfort, believing her marriage is over. When Holly wakes up, Tony has a heart-to-heart with her, which Cindy overhears. She then gives him a second chance. To get their marriage back on track, Cindy suggests they move to North Wales. Tony disagrees, but begins to view properties in the area. While there, he helps Gabby Sharpe
Gabby Sharpe
Gabriella "Gabby" Sharpe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Phina Oruche. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 June 2010.-Character creation and casting:...
(Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche is a British actress, radio presenter and former model best known for her performances as Liberty Baker in ITV's Footballers' Wives, for which she won a Screen Nations Award for Favourite TV Star....
), who is run over. After a week caring for Gabby, Tony realises that he does not really love Cindy, so returns and tells her he wants a divorce.
Cindy meets Alistair Longford (Terence Harvey), a rich pensioner who assumes Cindy saved him from choking to death, when it was in fact Myra McQueen
Myra McQueen
Myra McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nicole Barber-Lane. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 and was introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of the McQueen family.-Character development:The...
(Nicole Barber-Lane
Nicole Barber-Lane
Nicole Barber-Lane is an English actress best known for playing Myra McQueen in the long-running teen soap Hollyoaks.Before working in Hollyoaks, Barber-Lane appeared in Emmerdale, Bodies, The Cops, and in a Yorkshire Building Society commercial. She has featured in Woman, Red and NOW magazines...
). Alistair and Cindy go on several dates, and after only a few days of knowing each other, he proposes marriage. Cindy is taken aback, but accepts when she discovers he is a multi-millionaire. However, Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper
Claire Cooper
Claire Elizabeth Cooper is an English actress who currently plays Jacqui McQueen in British Channel 4 series Hollyoaks...
) blackmails Cindy, threatening to tell Alistair that it was Myra who saved his life. Jacqui and Myra then plan Cindy's wedding. Steph is horrified to discover Cindy is marrying Alistair, who is in his seventies. Alistair's mother Blanche Longford (Georgina Hale
Georgina Hale
Georgina Hale is an award-winning English actress notable for many stage, film and television appearances; often in the works of director Ken Russell and writer Simon Gray...
) arrives in Hollyoaks after being called by his granddaughters India Longford
India Longford
India Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Beth Kingston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 September 2009 and was introduced by series producer Lucy Allan as a new student at Hollyoaks Community College...
(Beth Kingston) and Texas Longford
Texas Longford
Texas "Tex" Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 May 2010. Texas was introduced by producer Paul Marquess as the on-screen sister of established character India...
(Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) in an attempt to sabotage the wedding. Blanche's plans fail, but she refuses to believe Cindy truly loves Alistair. Cindy is eventually made to tell Alistair that Myra had actually saved his life. However, this does not hinder Alistair's decision to marry her. On the day of the wedding, Darren tries to talk Cindy out of it and asks her to marry him, which she rejects. Blanche witnesses Darren and Cindy together and during the wedding, tells Alistair that they are having an affair. Darren and Cindy deny an affair and the wedding goes ahead. Before she leaves for her honeymoon, Cindy apologises to Steph and says goodbye, knowing it may be the last time she sees her as Steph is terminally ill with cancer. Cindy assures Holly she has only married Alistair to secure her a good life. Alistair and Cindy then leave, although she seems displeased when he reveals he has bought viagra.
In March 2011, Tony is shocked to discover that Cindy is the buy of The Look Sharpe Spa having become a millionaress, following the death of Alistair, she decides to make changes by introducing a new uniform and changing the name of the Spa. She later goes to visit Darren and is shocked to discover he is the father of twins, she later employs him as her chauffeur, but Nancy Hayton
Nancy Hayton
Nancy Anne Hayton is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jessica Fox. The character first appeared on 6 July 2005. Since the character's inception she has been involved in many notable storylines such as a three-way open relationship, drug taking,...
(Jessica Fox
Jessica Fox
Jessica Fox is an English actress. She is most notable for playing young witch Enid Nightshade in the CITV show The Worst Witch, whom she began playing in the late 1990s...
) tells him not to do the job but he tells her that it is good money do doesn't listen to her, but Cindy is later annoyed when he discovers Nancy will be in the car with them. She later befriends Noah Baxter (Law Thompson) who also work at the Spa. She and Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bronagh Waugh. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 November 2008, during the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, as the former love interest of Malachy Fisher...
(Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh is a Northern Irish actress currently playing the character of Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as well as appearing on T4 On The Beach as herself....
) decided to have a party for Gays in which she employs Tony to be a waiter for the evening. He agrees to carry on with the job because of the money he is being paid although he is purposefully made to feel uncomfortable when he is repeatedly slapped on the bum.
When Mandy returned to Hollyoaks as manager of Cinergy, Mandy & Texas Longford
Texas Longford
Texas "Tex" Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 May 2010. Texas was introduced by producer Paul Marquess as the on-screen sister of established character India...
(Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) planned to scam Cindy out of her money, buy getting her to buy fake expensive paintings, they also got Cindy to buy a snake, which is later revealed is poisonous and all hell breaks lose when the snake escapes.
Reception
n 2010 her and Tony HutchinsonTony Hutchinson
Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day...
s wedding was nominated at the Inside Soap Awards
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
for best wedding but lost out. In 2009 Stephanie Waring was nominated for best bitch but lost out to Charlie Brooks
Charlie Brooks
Charlene "Charlie" Brooks is a Welsh actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Acting career:...
. Waring was also shortlisted for Best Dramatic Performance for her role in Holly's disappearance in 2010 at the Inside Soap Awards.
The Sun's magazine Buzz branded Cindy "money mad". She was described by STV
Stv.tv
www.stv.tv is the URL of the website of the Scottish television channel, STV. The website currently offers the usual sections of News, Sport, Entertainment, Weather, Competitions, Forums and STV programme information, with TV listings...
as a "manipulative man-eater". Whilst Georgine Little-John writing for the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
branded Cindy "conniving and money-hungry". I Channel 5's Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
said "Cindy can only be described as a tart with a heart (albeit of stone). She's had more lovers than she can count and one can't help but admire her ability to land on her feet time and time again." E4 described Cindy as "sly and conniving" and commented that her "grief at the loss of her brother Max has done little to curb her manipulative personality".
External links
- Character profile on the E4 website