On 19 August 2005, Kris Green of Digital Spy reported that John Pickard had been cast as the brother of Tony Hutchinson, who is played by Pickard's own brother Nick Pickard. In 2010, it was announced by Channel 4 that Pickard had quit Hollyoaks and would depart later in the year. Speaking of his decision, Pickard said, "I've really enjoyed my time on Hollyoaks and I shall be very sad to leave, but after five years, it's definitely time to move on. I've loved working with Nick and it's been great living in the North — Liverpool is such a great city and we've both made friends for life up here. I'll really miss the social side of this job because the people really have made it all the more fun. Dom has been such a great character to play but now I'm looking forward to taking on new roles."
Storylines
Backstory
The result of their father Edward having with his sister-in-law Diane, as children, Dom and Tony were raised as first cousins. Dom used to bully Tony and, years later, on finding out Dom was his half-brother, Tony was not happy and found it hard to accept the revelation. Dom and Tony soon settled their differences and began to accept the fact they were siblings.
2005–2010
After Grace Hutchinson's death from SIDS, Dom comforts Mandy Hutchinson. Mandy develops feelings for Dom and leaves Tony, but continues to stay in contact with Dom. Dom begins a relationship with Tina McQueen after they bond over their love of classic literature. Tina's sisters Michaela and Carmel McQueen overhear Dom speaking lovingly on a phone to "Cathy", a character from he and Tina's favourite book, who they assume to be Kathy Barnes and accuse Dom of having an affair. Dom then proposes to Tina, which she accepts. Just before their wedding day, Tina discovers Dom and Mandy's past feelings for each other and feels she cannot trust him. After some convincing, Tina goes through with the wedding. Tina sleeps with Russ Owen after she begins to feel neglected by Dom. At the same time, Tina agrees to have a surrogate child for Tony and Jacqui McQueen. After the insemination, Dom tries to get Tina to have an abortion, but later accepts her decision. Tina gives birth to Max McQueen and admits that Russ is the father, which causes Dom and Tina to split up. Dom and Tina reconcile when he finds her fatally wounded due to an explosion caused by Niall Rafferty. Dom becomes romantically involved with pole dancerLoretta Jones, however their relationship ends after he makes her choose between him and her career. Dom then goes into partnership at diner Relish with Ravi Roy. Tony admits his financial trouble to Dom, who vows to help Tony. On the same night, Il Gnosh is set on fire by an unseen arsonist, which causes the deaths of Steph Roach and Malachy Fisher. Tony finds a picture of Amber Sharpe on Dom's phone and accuses him of getting her pregnant, to which Dom protests his innocence. Ste Hay tells Dom he believes Brendan Bradyset the fire. Brendan threatens Dom, who admits to being the arsonist. Tony then confides in Dom, who again admits the truth, revealing he set the fire to destroy a laptop which Bart McQueen had told him had pictures of Amber on it. Tony tells Dom to tell the police. However, Dom pleads with Tony to let him leave the village. Tony disagrees and stands by Dom as he phones the police, who later lead him away.
