Clare Devine
Encyclopedia
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
. In 2006, Bryan Kirkwood
began producing the serial, and axed Rowley as part of his rejuvenation of the show. The role was subsequently recast to actress Gemma Bissix
. In August 2007, it was announced that Bissix was leaving the show and Clare departed in September 2007. In 2009, the character made a brief return to Hollyoaks, departing on 5 June 2009 and was credited in a flashback episode in December 2010.
portrayed by Samantha Rowley
. The character was introduced as an events manager for The Loft nightclub, and as the story progressed, the new girlfriend of Max Cunningham
, and appeared initially from 2005 to 2006, when new series producer Bryan Kirkwood
decided to recast the role to Gemma Bissix
after wanting to take the character in a new direction. Gemma remained in the role from 2006 to 2007, when the character left the show. It was announced in March 2009 that Clare would return for a short stint in May 2009 reintroduced by Bryan Kirkwood
. The return was dubbed "stunt week", as the character got her revenge on Justin Burton
and Warren Fox
.
In August 2009, Bissix announced she would like to return to Hollyoaks as Clare Devine, commenting on the role she said, "You really can't get much better than playing a psychotic murderer turning up in her ripped tights and pouring petrol over everything."
, she was rather likeable and friendly. However after the character's recast to Gemma Bissix
the following year, the character revealed a dark side and this was quickly revealed around Hollyoaks. Clare became a con-woman, marrying Max Cunningham
simply for his money. Clare made several attempts to kill Max, however was unsuccessful. In 2007, Clare was pushed over the balcony at The Loft. This attempt on her life led to her departure from the series, in which, her enemies assumed she had died. Almost two years later, Clare returned for her revenge on Warren Fox
and Justin Burton
, where she was arrested for Warren's murder.
in order to scam money from him. His friend Sam O'Brien saw past Clare and tried to warn him, however Clare managed to convince Max that she truly loved him. Max finally realised Clare's true colours when she tried to kill him. With her enemy list growing, Clare also made a rival in Warren Fox
and Louise Summers and later Calvin Valentine
. Clare convinced Louise to have an abortion of her and Calvin's child, before telling him what Louise had done. She turned Max against O.B. and got Tom Cunningham
put into social care. She lastly made an enemy of Justin Burton
, who realised she had been partly responsible for the deaths of his sisters, Mel and Sophie
. Clare, whilst leaning over a banister at The Loft, was pushed over by an unknown figure. The police questioned all who had a motive. The culprit was later revealed to be Justin. It was the revelation of who pushed her that led to Clare kidnapping Katy Fox
, which finally led to Clare's presumed death.
(Jamie Lomas
) and Justin Burton
(Chris Fountain
).
Speaking of her return, Bissix stated, "She's back for revenge. Obviously Warren and Justin are involved but one minute she's not there and the next minute she is - you don't expect her to come back. She's definitely a shadow of her former self — in the nicest possible way! She's deranged and completely psychotic. She's greasy-haired and looking like a trashy prostitute, but it's absolutely fabulous! No holds barred as far as she's concerned, and that's what's been great for me to play. Before you always had to hide Clare's nastiness and act like she's nice and normal, but this time everybody knows what she's like so there's no hiding the psychopath. That's why I don't think the audience will be disappointed — I think they'll love it or hate it!"
Showbiz and television news website Digital Spy
held a poll asking readers whether they were looking forward to Clare's return. 54.2% of people said they could not wait for Gemma Bissix to return, 23.5% decided they were not sure and the remaining 22.3% claimed that it would ruin the character's "superb" exit from the show in 2007.
and Sam "O.B." O'Brien hire her as an events supervisor at The Loft. With her friendly face and likeable and vibrant personality, Clare quickly settles in to life in the village and becomes popular with the other residents. Both OB and Max immediately fall for her, but after weeks of playing both admirers off against each other, she eventually chooses Max. Initially Max and Clare's relationship goes well, and Max soon asks Clare to move in with him. Max and Clare try to keep their relationship a secret from OB, but after moving in, OB finds out but agrees to keep peace. Clare becomes friends with Mandy Hutchinson and Louise Summers, and participates in a time-share scam set up by Louise's ex-husband Sean
while on a holiday in late night special Hollyoaks: Back from the Dead. Sean begins flirting with Clare, who remains loyal to Max.
With Gemma Bissix
taking over the role, a disturbing side of the character is revealed in April 2006 when Max takes his brother Tom
on holiday. Despite turning his advances down months earlier, Clare seduces Sean after discovering his wealth. Mel Burton
catches Clare and Sean together. Clare used Mel's alcoholism against her when she attempts to expose the affair. This causes friction between Max and OB. Clare schemes to get rid of OB and acts the loyal girlfriend to Max, who eventually proposes to her. After Tom overhears a conversation between Sean and Clare about their affair, she tries to turn Max against Tom. Max asks OB to be his best man, shocking Clare. On Max's stag night, OB discovers that Clare is planning to leave with his money. Clare plants drugs in OB's pocket and gets him arrested. After being released, OB storms Max and Clare's wedding, telling him of her plan. Max refuses to believe this and punches him. Max decides he wants a child. Clare tells Max she was sexually abused as a girl and is infertile, leaving him heartbroken. Clare convinces Max to give her £50,000, which she plans to use to flee Hollyoaks. During this time, Clare sleeps with Warren Fox
. Mel and Sophie Burton
find the CCTV DVD and show OB. The three then meet with her in The Dog and tell her to leave Max or they will show him the DVD. Clare leaves in a hurry, failing to recognise wanted fugitive Sam Owen
outside. Clare returns home and begins to pack her bags. Max returns claiming The Dog is on fire, due to Sam. Clare then unpacks her belongings. After Mel and Sophie's deaths in the fire, Clare visits an injured OB in hospital and finds the CCTV DVD. She then disposes of it.
Max catches Warren and Clare snorting cocaine while working at the Loft. Clare convinces him it was due to her repressed memories of her sexual abuse. Max, to impress her, takes some cocaine ,which leads to a heart attack. While he is in hospital, Clare finds out about Max's life insurance policy of £500,000. Clare then decides to kill Max and flee the country with his money. When he returns home, Clare begins secluding Max from his friends and tampers with his medication. Clare takes Tom and Max away for a Christmas holiday near an icy lake. Max becomes more ill due to the pills and becomes suspicious of Clare, he then discovers the tampered pills. After realising Max knew about tampering with the pills, Clare throws Tom's jacket in the lake, with Max jumping in after him. Tom runs out of the woods, revealing Clare is trying to kill Max. OB turns up, punches Clare and saves Max. After being questioned, Clare is released by police. Max, seeing Clare's true colours, apologises to OB as Clare leaves.
Clare returns to the village in January 2007. She picks Tom up from his school without telling Max, who is frantic with worry. Max and OB find Clare with Tom. Clare promises to make Max's life hell and makes a reference to his dead father Gordon
. Max tries to strangle Clare before leaving with Tom. They return to find Clare plans to sell the flat and The Loft. Clare starts hitting herself and calls the police claiming Max has hit her. Max, OB and Tony
physically remove Clare from the flat and throw her outside, just as the police return and arrest Max for assault. Tony and OB's evidence mean that Max is released without charge. Max then signs The Loft over to Clare and reclaims his house. With The Loft being ran by Warren
, Clare becomes his rival. Warren hires Justin Burton
, who Clare seduces in an attempt to get on her side. Clare informs Warren that his sister Katy
is in a relationship with Justin, this leads to Warren being arrested for beating him up. Clare then has Warren arrested for Sean
's murder after receiving information from Justin.
Clare convinces Louise to have her unborn child aborted and tell fiancé Calvin
it was a miscarriage. Clare later tells him the truth causing them to split up. Louise and Calvin on separate occasions attack Clare. Clare phones the social services, and tells them her false suspicions that Tom is getting physically abused by Max and OB. Clare then manipulates Tom into thinking he caused the deaths of his parents and Grace Hutchinson and would cause Max's death, this frightening Tom, he refuses to see Max, making his social worker believe he is being abused. OB confronts Clare about the social services. Clare taunts him over the death of his girlfriend Mel and her sister Sophie, saying it was "two for the price of one". OB threatens Clare and is seen by several people in The Loft. That night, Clare goes onto The Loft balcony to investigate a noise, there, she is pushed by a mystery person. Jacqui, Carmel
and Tina McQueen
then find Clare, and beside her, Calvin's mobile.
Clare falls into a coma as the police question several people over her attack. Warren becomes the prime suspect and is charged. When she returns home, Max breaks in to Clare's flat and threatens to kill her if she does not tell the social services she lied about Tom's abuse, which she does. During Warren's trial, he appears to be getting sent down, however Mercedes McQueen
arrives and admits to sleeping with him on the night Clare was pushed. Warren is then released, where he begins pressuring Clare to sell him The Loft. Warren pushes her against the balcony she was pushed over and threatens her, she then sells Warren The Loft. As she prepares to leave Hollyoaks for good, Clare is seen off by Justin, Warren, Louise, Max, OB, Katy and Calvin. Justin grabs Clare at last minute and tells her it was him who pushed her. Clare leaves and plots revenge.
Katy is mysteriously kidnapped and Warren, Max and Justin set out to find her. After receiving several clues from Clare to Katy's whereabouts, the three head off to the docklands where Clare tells Warren to kill Justin, reminding him that Justin was the reason he was sent to jail. Warren and Max take Justin's supposedly dead body, however Clare realises he is not dead and drives off with Katy. Warren, Justin and Max set off after her. Clare skids to avoid bikers and plummets over a quarry into water below. Katy is saved, however Max is too late to save Clare, who apparently dies.
Two days after her presumed death, Clare is revealed to have survived as she arrives in a first class departures lounge in an airport. She meets a wealthy businessman named Miles, who she starts chatting to seductively. Clare introduces herself as Clare Devine before staring at the camera for a brief moment, breaking the fourth wall. Her destination is not revealed.
as a killer and stating that Jake Dean
was innocent over being jailed for the murder of Sean Kennedy
. Warren receives poison pen letter
s, telling him that "his days are numbered" and mysterious phone calls. In The Loft, Warren is attacked and tied up. His blindfold is removed and Clare reveals herself.
Clare informs Warren that she has returned for revenge on him and Justin for ruining her life and also to get Warren's money. Clare pours petrol and gets Warren to phone Justin to come to The Loft. Warren phones his foster brother Spencer and leaves a message of Clare talking. Calvin turns up at The Loft and finds Warren and Clare. He phones the police, but after realising everything Warren had put him and his family through, he hangs up and leaves. Hannah Ashworth
appears at The Loft looking for her boyfriend Justin. She is knocked unconscious by Clare, who assumes she is Justin. Hannah regains consciousness and attacks Clare, who is holding a match. Clare drops the match, lighting The Loft ablaze. Clare and Hannah then crash through the banister and fall to the floor below unconscious. Justin arrives. He leaves Warren sitting tied up and rescues Hannah, who he presumes is dead. Clare, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen. Warren frees himself and jumps down the stairwell, landing on his ankle, which breaks. The fire then causes a large mirror above to snap and fall down on him, which appears to kill him instantly. The next week, Justin is wanted for supposedly starting the fire. Spencer goes back to his and Warren's flat above Evissa. Clare appears wanting to know where Warren's money is. Sasha Valentine
appears outside and calls the police, Clare nearly escapes but Calvin stops her and she is eventually arrested.
became the first actress from Hollyoaks to win 'Villain of the Year' at the British Soap Awards in 2007. Gemma was also nominated for 'Best Actress' the very same year, and won the award for 'Best Exit' in 2008. The scene in which Clare and Katy Fox
drive over the cliff also won the award for 'Spectacular Scene of the Year'.
Before her portrayal of Clare, Bissix played Clare Bates in BBC One
soap-opera EastEnders
. In 2008, after her departure from Hollyoaks, Bissix returned to EastEnders. It was noted that the 2008 "minx" version of Clare Bates was similar to the character Clare Devine. Despite them being entirely different characters, it was suggested in The Herald
that Gemma Bissix actually reprised the role between the two soaps. Bissix has acknowledged the comparison between the two characters, but maintains that they differ: "A lot of people ask me this. Clare Bates is a minx and dresses to impress, using her sexuality to get where she wanted [...] Clare Devine doesn't have the emotion Clare Bates does. Clare Devine kills people, she tells little children that they're the reason for their parents' death!"
Radio Times
listed Clare at number one in their feature on 'bunny boilers'. Describing Clare they stated: "Devine by name, devilish by nature [...] she made enemies easily". They opined about the Who pushed Clare storyline stating: "when she was pushed over a balcony and almost killed, the list of suspects was longer than the electoral roll." They also stated they had a feeling it wasn't the last viewers would see of Clare.
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 Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
and Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley is a British actress and model born on 30 January 1988.She appeared on the first series of the reality TV show and model search Make Me A Supermodel on Five in March 2005, in which she came fourth...
. 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
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...
. In 2006, 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 :...
began producing the serial, and axed Rowley as part of his rejuvenation of the show. The role was subsequently recast to actress Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
. In August 2007, it was announced that Bissix was leaving the show and Clare departed in September 2007. In 2009, the character made a brief return to Hollyoaks, departing on 5 June 2009 and was credited in a flashback episode in December 2010.
Casting
The character was first introduced to Hollyoaks in December 2005, by series producer David HansonDavid Hanson (producer)
David Hanson is an English television producer well-known for his production work on Coronation Street from September 1998 to October 1999, and the Liverpool based soap Hollyoaks...
portrayed by Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley is a British actress and model born on 30 January 1988.She appeared on the first series of the reality TV show and model search Make Me A Supermodel on Five in March 2005, in which she came fourth...
. The character was introduced as an events manager for The Loft nightclub, and as the story progressed, the new girlfriend of 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...
, and appeared initially from 2005 to 2006, when new series producer Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood may refer to:*Bryan Kirkwood , Scottish television producer for British soap operas Hollyoaks and EastEnders *Bryan and Denny Kirkwood, one of a pair of identical twin American actors...
decided to recast the role to Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
after wanting to take the character in a new direction. Gemma remained in the role from 2006 to 2007, when the character left the show. It was announced in March 2009 that Clare would return for a short stint in May 2009 reintroduced by Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood may refer to:*Bryan Kirkwood , Scottish television producer for British soap operas Hollyoaks and EastEnders *Bryan and Denny Kirkwood, one of a pair of identical twin American actors...
. The return was dubbed "stunt week", as the character got her revenge on Justin Burton
Justin Burton
Justin Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. The character arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, his entire family had left the show...
and Warren Fox
Warren 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...
.
In August 2009, Bissix announced she would like to return to Hollyoaks as Clare Devine, commenting on the role she said, "You really can't get much better than playing a psychotic murderer turning up in her ripped tights and pouring petrol over everything."
Personality
When Clare originally arrived in 2005 played by Samantha RowleySamantha Rowley
Samantha Rowley is a British actress and model born on 30 January 1988.She appeared on the first series of the reality TV show and model search Make Me A Supermodel on Five in March 2005, in which she came fourth...
, she was rather likeable and friendly. However after the character's recast to Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
the following year, the character revealed a dark side and this was quickly revealed around Hollyoaks. Clare became a con-woman, marrying 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...
simply for his money. Clare made several attempts to kill Max, however was unsuccessful. In 2007, Clare was pushed over the balcony at The Loft. This attempt on her life led to her departure from the series, in which, her enemies assumed she had died. Almost two years later, Clare returned for her revenge on Warren Fox
Warren 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...
and Justin Burton
Justin Burton
Justin Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. The character arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, his entire family had left the show...
, where she was arrested for Warren's murder.
Multiple Enemies
Clare married Max CunninghamMax 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...
in order to scam money from him. His friend Sam O'Brien saw past Clare and tried to warn him, however Clare managed to convince Max that she truly loved him. Max finally realised Clare's true colours when she tried to kill him. With her enemy list growing, Clare also made a rival in Warren Fox
Warren 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...
and Louise Summers and later Calvin Valentine
Calvin Valentine
Calvin Valentine is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ricky Whittle. He arrived in July 2006 as a police officer with his mother and younger siblings and made his final appearance on 21 May 2010 after he was murdered by Theresa McQueen. Whittle...
. Clare convinced Louise to have an abortion of her and Calvin's child, before telling him what Louise had done. She turned Max against O.B. and got Tom Cunningham
Tom Cunningham
Thomas "Tom" Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ellis Hollins. Hollins has portrayed the character since his birth in 1999.-Storylines:...
put into social care. She lastly made an enemy of Justin Burton
Justin Burton
Justin Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. The character arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, his entire family had left the show...
, who realised she had been partly responsible for the deaths of his sisters, Mel and Sophie
Sophie Burton
Sophie Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Connie Powney. She first appeared in 2003 with on-screen family, the Burtons, including twin sister Mel, who was played by Powney's real life twin Cassie Powney.-Character...
. Clare, whilst leaning over a banister at The Loft, was pushed over by an unknown figure. The police questioned all who had a motive. The culprit was later revealed to be Justin. It was the revelation of who pushed her that led to Clare kidnapping Katy Fox
Katy Fox
Katy Fox is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Hannah Tointon, who was in the serial for just under a year. Katy was central to storylines, including Clare Devine's revenge....
, which finally led to Clare's presumed death.
2009 return
On 25 March 2009, it was revealed Gemma Bissix would reprise her role as Clare. Clare's return to Hollyoaks village was to tie in with the departures of enemies 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....
) and Justin Burton
Justin Burton
Justin Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. The character arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, his entire family had left the show...
(Chris Fountain
Chris Fountain
Christopher Ryan Fountain is an English actor best known for his role as Justin Burton on the Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks, a role he played from 2003 until his departure in June 2009. He is also now known for playing Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street. He played the role of PC Paul Tait in...
).
Speaking of her return, Bissix stated, "She's back for revenge. Obviously Warren and Justin are involved but one minute she's not there and the next minute she is - you don't expect her to come back. She's definitely a shadow of her former self — in the nicest possible way! She's deranged and completely psychotic. She's greasy-haired and looking like a trashy prostitute, but it's absolutely fabulous! No holds barred as far as she's concerned, and that's what's been great for me to play. Before you always had to hide Clare's nastiness and act like she's nice and normal, but this time everybody knows what she's like so there's no hiding the psychopath. That's why I don't think the audience will be disappointed — I think they'll love it or hate it!"
Showbiz and television news website 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....
held a poll asking readers whether they were looking forward to Clare's return. 54.2% of people said they could not wait for Gemma Bissix to return, 23.5% decided they were not sure and the remaining 22.3% claimed that it would ruin the character's "superb" exit from the show in 2007.
2005–2007
Clare first appears in December 2005 when Max CunninghamMax 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...
and Sam "O.B." O'Brien hire her as an events supervisor at The Loft. With her friendly face and likeable and vibrant personality, Clare quickly settles in to life in the village and becomes popular with the other residents. Both OB and Max immediately fall for her, but after weeks of playing both admirers off against each other, she eventually chooses Max. Initially Max and Clare's relationship goes well, and Max soon asks Clare to move in with him. Max and Clare try to keep their relationship a secret from OB, but after moving in, OB finds out but agrees to keep peace. Clare becomes friends with Mandy Hutchinson and Louise Summers, and participates in a time-share scam set up by Louise's ex-husband Sean
Sean Kennedy (Hollyoaks)
Sean Kennedy is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matthew Jay Lewis. He first appeared in 2006 and briefly in 2007.- Storylines :...
while on a holiday in late night special Hollyoaks: Back from the Dead. Sean begins flirting with Clare, who remains loyal to Max.
With Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
taking over the role, a disturbing side of the character is revealed in April 2006 when Max takes his brother Tom
Tom Cunningham
Thomas "Tom" Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ellis Hollins. Hollins has portrayed the character since his birth in 1999.-Storylines:...
on holiday. Despite turning his advances down months earlier, Clare seduces Sean after discovering his wealth. Mel Burton
Mel Burton
Melanie "Mel" Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Cassie Powney. She first appeared in 2003 with her family, which included her twin sister Sophie, played by Powney's real life twin Connie Powney.-Character Description:Mel was an...
catches Clare and Sean together. Clare used Mel's alcoholism against her when she attempts to expose the affair. This causes friction between Max and OB. Clare schemes to get rid of OB and acts the loyal girlfriend to Max, who eventually proposes to her. After Tom overhears a conversation between Sean and Clare about their affair, she tries to turn Max against Tom. Max asks OB to be his best man, shocking Clare. On Max's stag night, OB discovers that Clare is planning to leave with his money. Clare plants drugs in OB's pocket and gets him arrested. After being released, OB storms Max and Clare's wedding, telling him of her plan. Max refuses to believe this and punches him. Max decides he wants a child. Clare tells Max she was sexually abused as a girl and is infertile, leaving him heartbroken. Clare convinces Max to give her £50,000, which she plans to use to flee Hollyoaks. During this time, Clare sleeps with Warren Fox
Warren 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...
. Mel and Sophie Burton
Sophie Burton
Sophie Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Connie Powney. She first appeared in 2003 with on-screen family, the Burtons, including twin sister Mel, who was played by Powney's real life twin Cassie Powney.-Character...
find the CCTV DVD and show OB. The three then meet with her in The Dog and tell her to leave Max or they will show him the DVD. Clare leaves in a hurry, failing to recognise wanted fugitive Sam Owen
Sam Owen
Samuel Liam "Sam" Owen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Louis Tamone. He first appeared in 2004, before the character was killed off in 2006 in the well-known fire at The Dog.-Storylines:...
outside. Clare returns home and begins to pack her bags. Max returns claiming The Dog is on fire, due to Sam. Clare then unpacks her belongings. After Mel and Sophie's deaths in the fire, Clare visits an injured OB in hospital and finds the CCTV DVD. She then disposes of it.
Max catches Warren and Clare snorting cocaine while working at the Loft. Clare convinces him it was due to her repressed memories of her sexual abuse. Max, to impress her, takes some cocaine ,which leads to a heart attack. While he is in hospital, Clare finds out about Max's life insurance policy of £500,000. Clare then decides to kill Max and flee the country with his money. When he returns home, Clare begins secluding Max from his friends and tampers with his medication. Clare takes Tom and Max away for a Christmas holiday near an icy lake. Max becomes more ill due to the pills and becomes suspicious of Clare, he then discovers the tampered pills. After realising Max knew about tampering with the pills, Clare throws Tom's jacket in the lake, with Max jumping in after him. Tom runs out of the woods, revealing Clare is trying to kill Max. OB turns up, punches Clare and saves Max. After being questioned, Clare is released by police. Max, seeing Clare's true colours, apologises to OB as Clare leaves.
Clare returns to the village in January 2007. She picks Tom up from his school without telling Max, who is frantic with worry. Max and OB find Clare with Tom. Clare promises to make Max's life hell and makes a reference to his dead father 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...
. Max tries to strangle Clare before leaving with Tom. They return to find Clare plans to sell the flat and The Loft. Clare starts hitting herself and calls the police claiming Max has hit her. Max, OB and Tony
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...
physically remove Clare from the flat and throw her outside, just as the police return and arrest Max for assault. Tony and OB's evidence mean that Max is released without charge. Max then signs The Loft over to Clare and reclaims his house. With The Loft being ran by Warren
Warren 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...
, Clare becomes his rival. Warren hires Justin Burton
Justin Burton
Justin Burton is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. The character arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, his entire family had left the show...
, who Clare seduces in an attempt to get on her side. Clare informs Warren that his sister Katy
Katy Fox
Katy Fox is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Hannah Tointon, who was in the serial for just under a year. Katy was central to storylines, including Clare Devine's revenge....
is in a relationship with Justin, this leads to Warren being arrested for beating him up. Clare then has Warren arrested for Sean
Sean Kennedy (Hollyoaks)
Sean Kennedy is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matthew Jay Lewis. He first appeared in 2006 and briefly in 2007.- Storylines :...
's murder after receiving information from Justin.
Clare convinces Louise to have her unborn child aborted and tell fiancé Calvin
Calvin Valentine
Calvin Valentine is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ricky Whittle. He arrived in July 2006 as a police officer with his mother and younger siblings and made his final appearance on 21 May 2010 after he was murdered by Theresa McQueen. Whittle...
it was a miscarriage. Clare later tells him the truth causing them to split up. Louise and Calvin on separate occasions attack Clare. Clare phones the social services, and tells them her false suspicions that Tom is getting physically abused by Max and OB. Clare then manipulates Tom into thinking he caused the deaths of his parents and Grace Hutchinson and would cause Max's death, this frightening Tom, he refuses to see Max, making his social worker believe he is being abused. OB confronts Clare about the social services. Clare taunts him over the death of his girlfriend Mel and her sister Sophie, saying it was "two for the price of one". OB threatens Clare and is seen by several people in The Loft. That night, Clare goes onto The Loft balcony to investigate a noise, there, she is pushed by a mystery person. Jacqui, Carmel
Carmel McQueen
Carmel Valentine is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gemma Merna. She debuted on-screen during episodes airing in August 2006 and was introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of the McQueen family...
and Tina McQueen
Tina McQueen
Tina Chastity Reilly is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Leah Hackett. Since making her first appearance in August 2006 as part of the McQueen family, Tina has been involved in storylines including sexual harassment and surrogacy.-Character...
then find Clare, and beside her, Calvin's mobile.
Clare falls into a coma as the police question several people over her attack. Warren becomes the prime suspect and is charged. When she returns home, Max breaks in to Clare's flat and threatens to kill her if she does not tell the social services she lied about Tom's abuse, which she does. During Warren's trial, he appears to be getting sent down, however Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes Fisher is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jennifer Metcalfe. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 as the first character to be introduced to the serial by series producer, Bryan Kirkwood...
arrives and admits to sleeping with him on the night Clare was pushed. Warren is then released, where he begins pressuring Clare to sell him The Loft. Warren pushes her against the balcony she was pushed over and threatens her, she then sells Warren The Loft. As she prepares to leave Hollyoaks for good, Clare is seen off by Justin, Warren, Louise, Max, OB, Katy and Calvin. Justin grabs Clare at last minute and tells her it was him who pushed her. Clare leaves and plots revenge.
Katy is mysteriously kidnapped and Warren, Max and Justin set out to find her. After receiving several clues from Clare to Katy's whereabouts, the three head off to the docklands where Clare tells Warren to kill Justin, reminding him that Justin was the reason he was sent to jail. Warren and Max take Justin's supposedly dead body, however Clare realises he is not dead and drives off with Katy. Warren, Justin and Max set off after her. Clare skids to avoid bikers and plummets over a quarry into water below. Katy is saved, however Max is too late to save Clare, who apparently dies.
2009
In May 2009, the Hollyoaks villagers awake to find the village covered in posters labelling 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...
as a killer and stating that 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...
was innocent over being jailed for the murder of Sean Kennedy
Sean Kennedy (Hollyoaks)
Sean Kennedy is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Matthew Jay Lewis. He first appeared in 2006 and briefly in 2007.- Storylines :...
. Warren receives poison pen letter
Poison pen letter
A poison pen letter is a letter or note containing unpleasant, abusive or malicious statements or accusations about the recipient or a third party. It is usually sent anonymously. Poison pen letters are usually composed and sent to upset the recipient...
s, telling him that "his days are numbered" and mysterious phone calls. In The Loft, Warren is attacked and tied up. His blindfold is removed and Clare reveals herself.
Clare informs Warren that she has returned for revenge on him and Justin for ruining her life and also to get Warren's money. Clare pours petrol and gets Warren to phone Justin to come to The Loft. Warren phones his foster brother Spencer and leaves a message of Clare talking. Calvin turns up at The Loft and finds Warren and Clare. He phones the police, but after realising everything Warren had put him and his family through, he hangs up and leaves. Hannah Ashworth
Hannah Ashworth
Hannah Rose Ashworth is a fictional character from long-running Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks, played by Emma Rigby. Hannah first appeared on-screen from October 3, 2005 until her exit on February 12, 2010....
appears at The Loft looking for her boyfriend Justin. She is knocked unconscious by Clare, who assumes she is Justin. Hannah regains consciousness and attacks Clare, who is holding a match. Clare drops the match, lighting The Loft ablaze. Clare and Hannah then crash through the banister and fall to the floor below unconscious. Justin arrives. He leaves Warren sitting tied up and rescues Hannah, who he presumes is dead. Clare, meanwhile, is nowhere to be seen. Warren frees himself and jumps down the stairwell, landing on his ankle, which breaks. The fire then causes a large mirror above to snap and fall down on him, which appears to kill him instantly. The next week, Justin is wanted for supposedly starting the fire. Spencer goes back to his and Warren's flat above Evissa. Clare appears wanting to know where Warren's money is. Sasha Valentine
Sasha Valentine
Sasha Valentine is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nathalie Emmanuel. The character first appeared on-screen on 17 July 2006 as part of the newly introduced Valentine family...
appears outside and calls the police, Clare nearly escapes but Calvin stops her and she is eventually arrested.
Reception
Gemma BissixGemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in EastEnders and Clare Devine in Hollyoaks ; she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role...
became the first actress from Hollyoaks to win 'Villain of the Year' at the British Soap Awards in 2007. Gemma was also nominated for 'Best Actress' the very same year, and won the award for 'Best Exit' in 2008. The scene in which Clare and Katy Fox
Katy Fox
Katy Fox is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress Hannah Tointon, who was in the serial for just under a year. Katy was central to storylines, including Clare Devine's revenge....
drive over the cliff also won the award for 'Spectacular Scene of the Year'.
Before her portrayal of Clare, Bissix played Clare Bates in BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
soap-opera EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
. In 2008, after her departure from Hollyoaks, Bissix returned to EastEnders. It was noted that the 2008 "minx" version of Clare Bates was similar to the character Clare Devine. Despite them being entirely different characters, it was suggested in The Herald
The Herald (Glasgow)
The Herald is a broadsheet newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, and available throughout Scotland. As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 47,226, giving it a lead over Scotland's other 'quality' national daily, The Scotsman, published in Edinburgh.The 1889 to 1906 editions...
that Gemma Bissix actually reprised the role between the two soaps. Bissix has acknowledged the comparison between the two characters, but maintains that they differ: "A lot of people ask me this. Clare Bates is a minx and dresses to impress, using her sexuality to get where she wanted [...] Clare Devine doesn't have the emotion Clare Bates does. Clare Devine kills people, she tells little children that they're the reason for their parents' death!"
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...
listed Clare at number one in their feature on 'bunny boilers'. Describing Clare they stated: "Devine by name, devilish by nature [...] she made enemies easily". They opined about the Who pushed Clare storyline stating: "when she was pushed over a balcony and almost killed, the list of suspects was longer than the electoral roll." They also stated they had a feeling it wasn't the last viewers would see of Clare.