| Character Profile | List of appearances |
Holly Geri Victoria Madonna Cunningham (previously Hutchinson, Longford and Roscoe) is the daughter of Cindy Cunningham and Lee Stanley.
Holly was born prematurely on Christmas Day and abandoned at a hospital, as Stan had died in a car accident two months earlier. She was named Holly by the canteen staff who found her. After her grandparents brought her home, Cindy battled post-natal depression before entering an abusive relationship with Sean Tate. After swallowing an ecstasy tablet, Cindy feared social services would take Holly away from her and fled with her to Spain.
Whilst in Spain, Holly was used by Cindy's friend Savannah Madeiros to smuggle drugs. Cindy brought Holly back to Hollyoaks for Max Cunningham's wedding, with Cindy deciding to stay around for good. After marrying millionaire Alistair Longford, Cindy enrolled Holly into a boarding school in Switzerland. Holly returned for Cindy's wedding to Tony Hutchinson in 2012, but Cindy became bankrupt and Holly had to attend Hollyoaks High School.
Holly's first boyfriend was Callum Kane: their relationship ending with Callum's murder by crazed stalker Jade Hedy. She next began dating Robbie Roscoe, their relationship surviving affairs and illnesses before they decided to get married in February 2016. However, their marriage broke down when Holly had an affair with Jason's twin brother Robbie, and Jason tried to force himself on her. Whilst driving to the airport to stop the brothers from moving to South Africa, Holly caused a car crash, resulting in the death of Rachel Hardy.
Holly next dated Nick Savage, but he raped her and Ellie Nightingale and went to prison. She nearly married Damon Kinsella, but discovered at the altar that he had an affair with Cindy. Despite just beginning a relationship with Zack Loveday, Holly decided to travel around the world with Ellie. She invited Zack to reconcile with her in Paris in January 2019.
Biography[]
1997-1998: Conception and Birth[]
At the age of fifteen, Cindy Cunningham met Mandy Richardson, going on double dates with Mandy's boyfriend Ollie Benson and his best friend Lee Stanley. Mandy and Cindy decided to take contraceptive pills so they could have sex with their boyfriends, with Cindy sleeping with Stan for the first time on her sixteenth birthday. Cindy later admitted to Mandy that she hadn't been taking the pills and hadn't had her period, and her pregnancy test came back positive. She attempted to tell the family, but decided to keep her pregnancy a secret as the family was battling their own situations.
Cindy came to resent being pregnant and told Stan, who was previously unaware, that she wanted him to have nothing to do with the baby. Stan was devastated and got drunk before fatally crashing his car. Cindy felt incredibly guilty and struggled with the idea of her baby growing up without a father, so she threw herself down a flight of stairs. The baby survived, but Cindy went into premature labour and gave birth to the baby in the office of Got It Taped. She abandoned the baby at a hospital and returned home to the news that her sister Dawn had died.
On the morning of Dawn's funeral, Cindy collapsed and the doctor revealed that she had a post-natal infection. Cindy's mother Angela read in the newspaper that a baby - named Holly by the staff - had been found in a hospital canteen, and made the connection with Cindy's confirmation. Cindy made clear that she did not want the baby, but Cindy's father Gordon retrieved Holly from the hospital and Angela refused to let Cindy put her up for adoption.
1998-1999: Cindy's Depression and Abuse[]
Cindy was neglectful of Holly for the first few months of her life. She would pass her on to anyone who was willing to take her. Eventually she was forced to spend time with her, but Cindy struggled with her crying and in a moment of desperation, attempted to suffocate her with a cushion. Cindy's sister Jude managed to stop her in time and rushed Holly to hospital, where Cindy began accepting Holly. However, Cindy struggled with balancing her teenage years with looking after a baby and began behaving recklessly, even bringing her to a music festival.
In January 1999, Cindy began a relationship with Sean Tate, leaving Holly home alone to go out. When Gordon caught Holly playing by the stairs, Cindy was forced to tell Sean that she had a daughter. Sean continued his relationship with Cindy but resented Holly, also neglecting her and punishing her with cruel treatment. Cindy's brother Max found bruises on Holly and caught Sean locking her in a cupboard, causing Angela to accuse Sean of abusing Holly. Cindy was convinced that her family were causing trouble and moved to a caravan park with her and Sean.
Strong financial difficulties caused Sean's abuse to also include Cindy, leaving the Cunninghams alarmed. On Guy Fawkes, Holly burned her hand on a sparkler, but Sean convinced Cindy not to take Holly to hospital. However, Holly's condition worsened and social services became involved, resulting in Holly being placed in the care of the Cunninghams. In December 1999, Sean found work in Tenerife and planned to move with Cindy and Holly. Cindy missed the flight when she couldn't find Holly's passport and Sean left alone - taking Holly's bank money with him.
Kill Count[]
Murders/Manslaughters[]
- Rachel Hardy, 29th March 2016 - Car explosion. Rachel had parked on the side of the road when Holly crashed into her, causing Rachel's car to catch ablaze.
Attempted Murders[]
None
Appendices[]
Residences[]
Employment History[]
Background Information[]
- Holly was the first Hollyoaks character to be born on-screen.
- In 2013, actress Wallis Day quit the role of Holly. The character was immediately recast to Amanda Clapham as producers wanted the character to remain in the show.
- In 2018, actress Amanda Clapham decided to quit the role of Holly. The character made her final appearance in September 2018 before making a brief return in January 2019.
Introduction Sequence[]
- 2012-2013: Holly licks a lollypop.
- 2015-2016: Holly has a pillow fight with Cleo McQueen.
- 2016-2018: Holly splashes in a pool with Cleo McQueen, Harry Thompson and Zack Loveday.
Quotes[]
