List of Hollyoaks characters introduced in 2001
The following is a list of characters that first appeared on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks in 2001, by first appearance. The year saw the introduction of many new characters including the Hunter family.
Theo Sankofa
Theo Sankofa, played by Andrew Somerville, appeared from 2001 to 2002. Somerville was cast in the Hollyoaks: On the Pull campaign to find new young actors to appear in the show. The other three chosen were Marcus Patric, Lesley Johnston and Elize du Toit.Theo moves to Hollyoaks where he set up the village's first gadget shop, Theologic, which supplies strange devices. Friendly and well-liked, Theo is someone who the residents of Hollyoaks come to for advice and help. He often supports and advises his friends, including Chloe Bruce and Matt Musgrove. Theo also plays a key part in helping Gordon Cunningham in winning the local elections as his campaigner.
Theologic begins taking little profit, which leads Theo into selling the business and moving into the Hunter's caravan park. With crippling debts ahead and not much money available, Theo struggles with money problems. Theo, alongside friends, heads for a potholing trip which turns into a disaster. During a rock fall, Theo dies in the van the group is using.
Brian Drake
Brian Drake played by Jonathan Le Billon, made his first appearance 11 January 2001.Brian is a goth who dates Zara Morgan. He is very religious and Zara pressures him to have sex, though they do not have sex. He cheats on her with Steph Dean at a party at Tony Hutchinson 's house. Brian became friends with Lisa Hunter and asks her to sing in his band. They end up going out. When Brian finds out about Lisa's self-harming, he tries to help. In helping Lisa he neglects his revision and fails his GCSEs. Brian then stalks Lisa with threatening text messages. Lisa at first thinks it is Steph, but when she discovers Brian is the culprit, he leaves the village.
Abby Davies
Abby Davies, played by Helen Noble, first appeared on 1 March 2001. Noble originally auditioned for the role of Jess Holt but was unsuccessful. Producers later contacted Noble and asked her to audition for the role of Abby instead. Abby is introduced as a member of the Davies family consisting of her brother, Ben Davies and their father, Will Davies. Noble revealed that Abby is "not at all" like Ben, who is more interested in "staying in his dad's good books" and refuses to side with Abby on family issues.Davies described Abby as a "fun character, very likeable, very girlie, a little bit ditzy and silly." Noble believed that Abby has a big imagination" who has "very high hopes for herself and her love life." Abby has a unique style but Noble disliked it. She told a reporter from Inside Soap that " is supposed to be a goth/punky kind of person and she used to wear dog collars – but I think they're really ugly. Eventually Abby began to change her appearance. Noble told Kathryn Secretan from Soaplife that Abby's "fashion sense used to be horrible. She used to dress like a punk and I hated it." Writers created a relationship storyline between Abby and fellow student, Lee. Noble decided to leave Hollyoaks in 2004, but agreed to return in four episodes in 2005. Noble stated that she felt she had changed and was confident in her decision to depart. MSN TV's Lorna Cooper listed Abby as a "forgotten character" of soap opera who is mainly remembered for her "turbulent relationship" with Lee.
John Stuart
John Stuart, played by Andrew Henderson, made his first appearance on 28 March 2001. John works as a lecturer at Hollyoaks Community College and begins a relationship with his colleague Ruth Osborne. Writers introduced John's infant daughter, Daisy Stuart but John fails to inform Ruth he has children. Dwyer told Francesca Babb from All About Soap that her character "is shocked" to discover John has a daughter. Dwyer explained that Ruth plans a romantic picnic for John but is annoyed that he brings Daisy along. She described John as "this really nice guy" and Ruth "wants a bit of romance in her life". She views the revelation as a "huge disappointment" but is "shocked" that Daisy is well behaved. John reveals that Daisy needs to sleep in their bed which further annoys Ruth. She "wanted to be the only on John's mind" but Daisy's presence ruins their chance of passion.Writers planned to jeopardise their romance further, by portraying John ignorant to Ruth's feelings. When John realises that he has upset Ruth, he plans a romantic weekend away. Dwyer told Babb that Ruth is "really excited" but "completely deflated" when she realises he has taken her on his conference weekend. Ruth is unable to spend time with John during work conference hours. Dwyer added that John is "too business-minded" and "won't succumb to her advances". This leaves Ruth wondering if their relationship will work out or whether she is just "wasting her time with John". Henderson made his final appearance as John during the episode broadcast on 29 August 2001.
John is shown working at Hollyoaks Community College. He later has an argument with Dan Hunter regarding campus car parking. John begins dating Ruth after the become close at work. Ruth organises a picnic for John but is surprised when he introduces her to his daughter, Daisy. John reveals that Daisy needs to sleep in their bed, which upsets Ruth. He decides to make amends by taking Ruth to his conference weekend. She is again upset, believing he had planned the weekend solely for them. He continues to concentrate on work which leaves Ruth unsure about their relationship. Just days later, Ruth decides to end their relationship and John moves on.
Dan Hunter
Dan Hunter played by Andy McNair, made his first on-screen appearance on 19 April 2001. McNair was cast in the role in 2001, with Dan being his first professional acting role. He attended two auditions and received the offer to play Dan shortly after. He introduced as part of the show's Hunter family consisting of Dan, his parents Les Hunter and Sally Hunter and siblings Lisa Hunter and Lee Hunter. McNair has described Dan as "such a prat" and "miserable, a male chauvinist and is constantly angry with everybody." Writers created a feud with his other sister, Ellie Hunter. She had been missing in Ibiza for some time and unapologetically returned to live with the Hunter family. Other prominent Dan storylines included an illegal rally driving plot and a relationship with Debbie Dean. Dan also featured in the late night spin-off series titled Hollyoaks: After Hours. McNair made his finale appearance as Dan during the episode broadcast on 24 December 2004.Lisa Hunter
Lisa Hunter, played by Gemma Atkinson, made her first appearance on 23 April 2001. The character is noted for her storylines including bullying and self-harming. After her exit from Hollyoaks, Atkinson reprised the role twice in two spin-off series.Les Hunter
Leslie "Les" Hunter, played by John Graham Davies, made his first appearance on 26 April 2001.Lee Hunter
Lee Hunter, played by Alex Carter, made his first appearance on 4 July 2001. The youngest son of Les and Sally Hunter, he made his first on-screen appearance on 13 May 2001. The character was described as "wayward", a "cheeky chap" and a "wheeler dealer". Carter announced his decision to quit the serial in 2005 to have more free time, filming his departure scenes in October 2005 and departed on-screen 23 December 2005.Carter returned to Hollyoaks as a full-time character in September 2010, reintroduced by series producer Paul Marquess, although his comeback scenes aired in internet spin-off Hollyoaks: Freshers. Upon his return, the character has been described as "a tool", "confident" and "arrogant". In May 2011 it was announced Carter had quit again, in order to pursue other projects.
Jason Cunliffe
Jason Cunliffe, played by Alex Reid, first appeared on 18 July 2001 and made his final appearance in 2002. In 2009, a tabloid newspaper reported that Reid was to return to the show, however a spokesperson confirmed that this was "absolute nonsense".Jason is a footballer who lived the high life and always got what he wanted until he meets Geri Hudson. Geri instantly falls in love with Jason, or rather for his status, and the pair become Hollyoaks' very own 'Posh and Becks'. Geri wants to marry Jason, but Jason had other things on his mind as he oftens has regular affairs with his book publisher, Alyson. He also makes a pass at Geri's rival Izzy Cornwell, but Izzy has none of it and tells Geri what happened. Jason admits to Geri, who forgives him.
Geri sees Jason's true colours when he has a night party in his mansion, despite agent Dion telling Jason to recover from his injury. During the night, Jason's team-mate Scott Anderson attempts to rape Geri and Jason fails to do anything about it. Realising that Jason treats her like a 'trophy', Geri decides to hit him where it hurt the most: in his pocket. Geri threatens Jason for him to marry her, or else she will tell the press what he is really up to. After getting married, Geri throws Jason out of the car, leaving him to realise that she is going to take him for every penny he is worth after what he had put her through. Feeling embarrassed, Jason leaves the village.
Jon O'Brien from Metro called the character a "womanising footballer who got on the wrong side of wife Geri".