Duncan Button
Encyclopedia
Duncan Button is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Dean Aspen. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited with Button. In May 2011, it was announced that Aspen had quit his role and Duncan departed the series on 11 November 2011.
revealed that a mysterious character called Duncan would arrive in the village. In October 2009, it was revealed that Duncan would be the godson of established characters Neville
(Jim Millea
) and Suzanne Ashworth
(Suzanne Hall
). In the same month it was announced that Hollyoaks series producer Lucy Allan had cast television newcomer Dean Aspen in the role of Duncan. To prepare for the role, Aspen revealed that he has to shave every day, as well as having to put on a stone and a half in weight.
In January 2010, it was announced that Lucy Allan
had stepped down from the position of series producer and that Paul Marquess
had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up", changing the production team and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters - Neville, Suzanne and Josh Ashworth
(Sonny Flood
). As well as the axings, Emma Rigby who played Hannah
had chosen to quit the previous year, bowing out in February 2010. However, it was revealed that the character of Duncan would remain in the series after the Ashworth’s departure along with Rhys Ashworth
(Andrew Moss
), the family's eldest son.
In May 2011 it was announced that Aspen had decided to leave the serial in order to pursue other projects. Discussing his departure Aspen said: "I have had an absolutely brilliant time playing Duncan - I feel like Hollyoaks have paid me to laugh, but, after two years, I really feel the time is right for a new challenge."
speaking of Duncan’s friendship with fellow teenager Ricky Campbell
(Ashley Margolis
), Lucy Allan said, "Ahh, Duncan and Ricky! I love them. If you look at who Max [Cunningham
] (Matt Littler
) and O.B. (Darren Jeffries
) were when they were teenagers... They had an innocence and a naïvety to them that the show was lacking at the time. I actually wrote Max and O.B.'s storylines when they were youngsters and they spent about six months trying to get Chloe [Bruce
] (Mikyla Dodd
) into bed in a burger van! There's a joy in Ricky and Duncan that shouldn't be ignored. They're just trying to get laid - Duncan in particular, by whatever means necessary. Even if that means suggesting that his sexuality isn't what it is. And Ricky has a secret, so we'll meet elements of his family..."
(Saira Choudhry
) and flirts with her, but she rejects his advances. Ricky is later annoyed when Duncan joins him on his paper-round. However, they become friends.
Duncan asks Michaela McQueen
(Hollie-Jay Bowes
) for a massage at Evissa, but she realises he wants more than an average massage. Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper
) is sickened by his suggestion and waxes his chest painfully for revenge. Duncan is sick over Theresa McQueen
(Jorgie Porter
) at the students Christmas party after drinking too much. To cheer Ricky up, Duncan persuades him to have a bogus raffle to help pay for their entry fee for a party. Duncan dresses up as Father Christmas and the tickets for the raffle sell fast making them a lot of money. Later, the scam is revealed by their teacher Des Townsend (Kris Deedigan
) and Myra McQueen
(Nicole Barber-Lane
) demands the Harrods hamper they promised. Duncan decides to make his own Christmas goodwill and steals presents from under the McQueen’s and Ashworth’s tree. Ricky finds the presents and stolen gifts from the Secret Santa in the shack and they open them together. Duncan is infatuated with Theresa after landing in the village, and tries everything he can but nothing he can do can impress her. He gets Darren's advice and dresses like a pimp, and while this somehow works, as well as pretending to be gay, Theresa is not interested. Duncan wins a competition where he gets to have the 16th birthday party of his dreams paid for by a reality TV company. He invites Theresa, who is invited and excited as the prospect of being filmed. While Theresa is impressed, Duncan's hopes are shattered when rap artist Chipmunk
performs, and Theresa only has eyes for him. Neville finds the presents and sends Duncan home early to his parents. Duncan steals Suzanne’s underwear, but he is caught and lies to her saying he might be gay.
Duncan notices Ricky’s strange behaviour and follows him to his house. Duncan hides as Ricky goes in he tries to look inside and hears raised voices and a man lying on the floor. Duncan shouts and Ricky lets him in where he accuses Ricky of being a drug dealer however Ricky snaps and tells Duncan the man is his father Martin (Grant Masters). Duncan is pushed out the door by Ricky after Martin told him to get rid of him. Ricky later finds Duncan and explains that his father has multiple sclerosis and if he tells anyone he will be put into care. Duncan quizzes Ricky on the condition and he is horrified to learn that nobody is helping Ricky. Duncan gives Ricky a pair of trainers and promises him that he will stand by him and not reveal his secret, and a delighted Ricky thanks him.
Duncan gets a call from a television producer about his sixteenth birthday party being featured on a reality television show. Duncan asks Ricky to help him, but he goes home to look after Martin. Duncan asks Theresa to help him so she agrees and Steve (Anthony Crank
) the producer tells them that their double act will be great for television. Duncan is excited as his birthday is filmed for the show and rapper Chipmunk
is revealed as his special guest. Duncan is annoyed when Ricky tells him that Theresa is only using him to get on tv, and he realises that his party is boring without his best friend.
Neville and Suzanne decide to leave the village with Duncan and go to Spain. The family leave the village for Spain, but Rhys decides to stay. Duncan returns from Spain and he moves in with Darren Osborne
(Ashley Taylor Dawson
) along with Rhys. Duncan speaks to his parents and they tell him he has to come home. Duncan begs Rhys to let him stay with him and he agrees. Jack Osborne
(James McKenna
) tells Darren and Duncan to move in with the family. Duncan is delighted and accepts.
Duncan announces to Darren in October 2010 that he's getting driving lessons so he can drive and finally get a girl. When Darren quizzed his age, Duncan announced that he was actually 17 - he just lied to the reality show earlier that year so he could have the "Sweet 16th" birthday party.
Duncan reveals to Darren in December 2010 that his parents tried to kill him one Christmas, which is the reason why he does not want to join them this year. He also stated that they have been in a number of game and reality TV shows. He is then delighted to hear from Rhys that he is going to join Suzanne, Neville and Josh in Spain for Christmas and that he didn't need to worry about the cost of the flight tickets as Neville has already paid for them.
On Christmas Eve along with Jack, Duncan discovers India Longford
's (Beth Kingston) body in a nearby woods whilst taking their dog for a walk.
Duncan's sister Ruby arrives in the village to get away from their reality tv obsessed parents. Duncan joins a boy band, Guy Candy, with:Ricky, Bart McQueen
(Johnny Clarke), Seth Costello (Miles Higson)and Taylor Sharpe (Shaun Blackstock).(Who is later replaced with Gaz Bennett
(Joel Goonan
). The band is managed by Lee Hunter
(Alex Carter
)and struggle to achieve success.
Duncan and Ricky spend five days at fat camp. Duncan was hesitant at first but meets a girl, Kelly Saunders (Danielle Malone), who he really likes. They struggle to get together as Duncan can't understand what a girl like her would see in him but they eventually end up together and lose their virginity to each other. Kelly decides to end their relationship after he shows Ricky a naked picture of her. Realising he needs to grow up, he decides to leave to stay with the Ashworth's in Spain.
criticised Duncan during her monthly review on the popularity of soap opera characters, where she branded him as useless, "Lots of characters have been (or are about to be) culled from the soap, but sadly, as of yet, Duncan isn’t one of them. He and Ricky have been set up to be the new OB and Max, and it really hasn’t worked, because OB and Max were actually likeable. Ricky at least has some potentially interesting storylines going for him, but Duncan? He makes Gilly [Roach
] and Spencer [Gray] (Darren John Langford
) look like characters with a purpose."
In July 2010, Aspen received a nomination in the "Best Newcomer" category at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards
for his portrayal of Duncan.
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 Dean Aspen. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited with Button. In May 2011, it was announced that Aspen had quit his role and Duncan departed the series on 11 November 2011.
Character creation and casting
In July 2009, at the Hollyoaks Press Day series producer Lucy AllanLucy Allan (producer)
Lucy Jane Allan is a British television producer, best known for her work on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.Allan's other credited work include a script editor for Dream Team and assistant to director in Chica de Río....
revealed that a mysterious character called Duncan would arrive in the village. In October 2009, it was revealed that Duncan would be the godson of established characters Neville
Neville Ashworth
Neville "Nev" Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jim Millea. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 3 October 2005 and was created by David Hanson...
(Jim Millea
Jim Millea
Jim Millea is an English actor who plays small businessman and publican Neville Ashworth in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks....
) and Suzanne Ashworth
Suzanne Ashworth
Suzanne Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Suzanne Hall. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 2005. Suzanne was introduced by series producer David Hanson as part of the Ashworth family. In February 2010, Suzanne was axed...
(Suzanne Hall
Suzanne Hall
Suzanne Hall .Before attending her first high school, Worden Sports College in Leyland, she went to Hayward School in Bolton and, at that time lived in Great Lever, but currently lives in Smithills...
). In the same month it was announced that Hollyoaks series producer Lucy Allan had cast television newcomer Dean Aspen in the role of Duncan. To prepare for the role, Aspen revealed that he has to shave every day, as well as having to put on a stone and a half in weight.
In January 2010, it was announced that Lucy Allan
Lucy Allan (producer)
Lucy Jane Allan is a British television producer, best known for her work on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.Allan's other credited work include a script editor for Dream Team and assistant to director in Chica de Río....
had stepped down from the position of series producer and that Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...
had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up", changing the production team and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters - Neville, Suzanne and Josh Ashworth
Josh Ashworth
Joshua Josh Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sonny Flood. He dedbuted on-screen during the episode airing on 3 October 2005 and left on 14 July 2010, after his character was axed by executive producer Paul Marquess...
(Sonny Flood
Sonny Flood
-Background:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Flood was educated at Rossall School, near Fleetwood. In 2006 Flood passed ten GCSE exams all at either A or A*. In 2007, he achieved 4 'A's at AS level, in English Literature, History, Media Studies and Philosophy, and in 2008 he achieved a grade 'A' in...
). As well as the axings, Emma Rigby who played Hannah
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....
had chosen to quit the previous year, bowing out in February 2010. However, it was revealed that the character of Duncan would remain in the series after the Ashworth’s departure along 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:...
), the family's eldest son.
In May 2011 it was announced that Aspen had decided to leave the serial in order to pursue other projects. Discussing his departure Aspen said: "I have had an absolutely brilliant time playing Duncan - I feel like Hollyoaks have paid me to laugh, but, after two years, I really feel the time is right for a new challenge."
Character development
In an interview with entertainment website Digital SpyDigital 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....
speaking of Duncan’s friendship with fellow teenager Ricky Campbell
Ricky Campbell
Richard "Ricky" Campbell is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ashley Margolis. He made his first on-screen appearance on 16 June 2009. Ricky was created by executive producer Lucy Allan. Margolis took a period of leave in 2010 to complete his real life...
(Ashley Margolis
Ashley Margolis
Ashley Howard Margolis is an English actor.-Career:He is best known for playing Ricky Campbell in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. He has played the role of Ricky since June 2009. His main storyline revolved around his father Martin Campbell having Multiple Sclerosis...
), Lucy Allan said, "Ahh, Duncan and Ricky! I love them. If you look at who 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 :...
) and O.B. (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...
) were when they were teenagers... They had an innocence and a naïvety to them that the show was lacking at the time. I actually wrote Max and O.B.'s storylines when they were youngsters and they spent about six months trying to get Chloe [Bruce
Chloe Bruce
Chloe Bruce is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Mikyla Dodd. The character first appeared onscreen in 2000. The character is noted for her storylines involving self image issues and acting as the 'agony aunt role' within the series.-Character...
] (Mikyla Dodd
Mikyla Dodd
Mikyla Dodd is an English actress who is most famous for playing the role of Chloe Bruce in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2000 until 2004.In 2006, she appeared in the ITV Reality TV show Celebrity Fit Club....
) into bed in a burger van! There's a joy in Ricky and Duncan that shouldn't be ignored. They're just trying to get laid - Duncan in particular, by whatever means necessary. Even if that means suggesting that his sexuality isn't what it is. And Ricky has a secret, so we'll meet elements of his family..."
Storylines
Duncan first appears in the village looking for the Dog in the Pond pub. Duncan arrives at the pub and is served by Neville who doesn’t recognise him. Suzanne walks in and recognises him as their fifteen-year-old godson and leaves Neville furious. Duncan moves in with the Ashworth’s and meets Anita RoyAnita Roy
Anita Roy is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Saira Choudhry. Choudhry was cast in 2008 as part of the new Roy family and arrived in November and stayed in the serial for 2 years before she left Hollyoaks on 20 January 2011...
(Saira Choudhry
Saira Choudhry
Saira Choudhry is an English actress, most notable for her role as Anita Roy in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks .-Television:-External links:...
) and flirts with her, but she rejects his advances. Ricky is later annoyed when Duncan joins him on his paper-round. However, they become friends.
Duncan asks Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Hollie-Jay Bowes. Michaela was the first of the McQueen family to be seen on-screen in 2006, when she was credited as Michaela Jones. On 8 June 2010, Hollie-Jay Bowes announced that she had quit...
(Hollie-Jay Bowes
Hollie-Jay Bowes
Hollie-Jay Bowes is an English actress best known for her role as Michaela McQueen in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Her parents changed her name from Billie Jean to Hollie Jean as her father thought she would get bullied at school and be called 'Billie Bowes', and at 13, she changed her name to...
) for a massage at Evissa, but she realises he wants more than an average massage. Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper
Claire Cooper
Claire Elizabeth Cooper is an English actress who currently plays Jacqui McQueen in British Channel 4 series Hollyoaks...
) is sickened by his suggestion and waxes his chest painfully for revenge. Duncan is sick over 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...
) at the students Christmas party after drinking too much. To cheer Ricky up, Duncan persuades him to have a bogus raffle to help pay for their entry fee for a party. Duncan dresses up as Father Christmas and the tickets for the raffle sell fast making them a lot of money. Later, the scam is revealed by their teacher Des Townsend (Kris Deedigan
Kris Deedigan
Kris Deedigan is a British actor best known for his portrayal of Des Townsend in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
) and 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...
) demands the Harrods hamper they promised. Duncan decides to make his own Christmas goodwill and steals presents from under the McQueen’s and Ashworth’s tree. Ricky finds the presents and stolen gifts from the Secret Santa in the shack and they open them together. Duncan is infatuated with Theresa after landing in the village, and tries everything he can but nothing he can do can impress her. He gets Darren's advice and dresses like a pimp, and while this somehow works, as well as pretending to be gay, Theresa is not interested. Duncan wins a competition where he gets to have the 16th birthday party of his dreams paid for by a reality TV company. He invites Theresa, who is invited and excited as the prospect of being filmed. While Theresa is impressed, Duncan's hopes are shattered when rap artist Chipmunk
Chipmunk (rapper)
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
performs, and Theresa only has eyes for him. Neville finds the presents and sends Duncan home early to his parents. Duncan steals Suzanne’s underwear, but he is caught and lies to her saying he might be gay.
Duncan notices Ricky’s strange behaviour and follows him to his house. Duncan hides as Ricky goes in he tries to look inside and hears raised voices and a man lying on the floor. Duncan shouts and Ricky lets him in where he accuses Ricky of being a drug dealer however Ricky snaps and tells Duncan the man is his father Martin (Grant Masters). Duncan is pushed out the door by Ricky after Martin told him to get rid of him. Ricky later finds Duncan and explains that his father has multiple sclerosis and if he tells anyone he will be put into care. Duncan quizzes Ricky on the condition and he is horrified to learn that nobody is helping Ricky. Duncan gives Ricky a pair of trainers and promises him that he will stand by him and not reveal his secret, and a delighted Ricky thanks him.
Duncan gets a call from a television producer about his sixteenth birthday party being featured on a reality television show. Duncan asks Ricky to help him, but he goes home to look after Martin. Duncan asks Theresa to help him so she agrees and Steve (Anthony Crank
Anthony Crank
Anthony Crank is a British television presenter, journalist and actor, probably best known for his work on Channel 4's T4, MTV and Bingo Night Live on ITV1.-Career:...
) the producer tells them that their double act will be great for television. Duncan is excited as his birthday is filmed for the show and rapper Chipmunk
Chipmunk (rapper)
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
is revealed as his special guest. Duncan is annoyed when Ricky tells him that Theresa is only using him to get on tv, and he realises that his party is boring without his best friend.
Neville and Suzanne decide to leave the village with Duncan and go to Spain. The family leave the village for Spain, but Rhys decides to stay. Duncan returns from Spain and he moves in with 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,...
) along with Rhys. Duncan speaks to his parents and they tell him he has to come home. Duncan begs Rhys to let him stay with him and he agrees. Jack Osborne
Jack Osborne
Jack William Osborne is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jimmy McKenna. He first appeared on 18 November 1996 and is the second longest serving character although Cindy Longford and Mandy Richardson both appeared before him both have taken...
(James McKenna
James McKenna
James Stephen "Jimmy" McKenna is a Scottish actor. He has appeared on such television programmes as Hollyoaks, in which he has played the character of Jack Osborne since 1996, and A Touch of Frost....
) tells Darren and Duncan to move in with the family. Duncan is delighted and accepts.
Duncan announces to Darren in October 2010 that he's getting driving lessons so he can drive and finally get a girl. When Darren quizzed his age, Duncan announced that he was actually 17 - he just lied to the reality show earlier that year so he could have the "Sweet 16th" birthday party.
Duncan reveals to Darren in December 2010 that his parents tried to kill him one Christmas, which is the reason why he does not want to join them this year. He also stated that they have been in a number of game and reality TV shows. He is then delighted to hear from Rhys that he is going to join Suzanne, Neville and Josh in Spain for Christmas and that he didn't need to worry about the cost of the flight tickets as Neville has already paid for them.
On Christmas Eve along with Jack, Duncan discovers 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...
's (Beth Kingston) body in a nearby woods whilst taking their dog for a walk.
Duncan's sister Ruby arrives in the village to get away from their reality tv obsessed parents. Duncan joins a boy band, Guy Candy, with:Ricky, Bart McQueen
Bart McQueen
Bartholomew "Bart" McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jonny Clarke. He first appeared onscreen at his stepmother's funeral in August 2010, introduced by producer Paul Marquess as a member of the McQueen family...
(Johnny Clarke), Seth Costello (Miles Higson)and Taylor Sharpe (Shaun Blackstock).(Who is later replaced with Gaz Bennett
Gaz Bennett
Gary "Gaz" Bennett is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Joel Goonan. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 November 2008. Goonan took a break from filming during 2010, and returned on-screen on 19 January 2011. Goonan announced his...
(Joel Goonan
Joel Goonan
Joel Benjamin Goonan is an English actor best known for his role as the villainous Garry "Gaz" Bennett in Hollyoaks....
). The band is managed by Lee Hunter
Lee Hunter
Lee Hunter was an automotive engineer.His inventions include the "Kwikurent" device for the rapid charging of a car battery, and a machine to balance car wheels while they spin. He founded Hunter Engineering Company in 1946...
(Alex Carter
Alex Carter (British actor)
Alex Carter is an English actor and radio presenter.Carter got his TV break in 1999 when he was cast as Craig Harrison in 9 episodes of the Sunday evening drama Where the Heart Is. He then had a small walk on role in Coronation Street...
)and struggle to achieve success.
Duncan and Ricky spend five days at fat camp. Duncan was hesitant at first but meets a girl, Kelly Saunders (Danielle Malone), who he really likes. They struggle to get together as Duncan can't understand what a girl like her would see in him but they eventually end up together and lose their virginity to each other. Kelly decides to end their relationship after he shows Ricky a naked picture of her. Realising he needs to grow up, he decides to leave to stay with the Ashworth's in Spain.
Reception
Ruth Deller of entertainment website lowculture.co.ukLowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
criticised Duncan during her monthly review on the popularity of soap opera characters, where she branded him as useless, "Lots of characters have been (or are about to be) culled from the soap, but sadly, as of yet, Duncan isn’t one of them. He and Ricky have been set up to be the new OB and Max, and it really hasn’t worked, because OB and Max were actually likeable. Ricky at least has some potentially interesting storylines going for him, but Duncan? He makes Gilly [Roach
Gilly Roach
Gilbert "Gilly" Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anthony Quinlan. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 4 October 2005. Gilly was created in 2005 by executive producer David Hanson. Gilly has often been portrayed as a...
] and Spencer [Gray] (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...
) look like characters with a purpose."
In July 2010, Aspen received a nomination in the "Best Newcomer" category at the 2010 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 his portrayal of Duncan.
External links
- Character profile on the E4 website