Garry Hobbs
Encyclopedia
Garry Pelé Hobbs is a fictional character
in the BBC
soap opera
EastEnders
, played by Ricky Groves
. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000. It was announced on 26 March 2009 that Groves and co-star Kara Tointon
, who plays Dawn Swann
, would be written out of the soap, and he made his final appearance on 27 August 2009.
on 18 September 2000, along with his girlfriend Lynne Slater
(Elaine Lordan
) and her family. Thinking himself a big hit with the ladies, Garry flirts with numerous women and is unwilling to settle down. Eventually he and Lynne get engaged and, on 7 December 2001, marry despite discovering Lynne's brief fling with Beppe di Marco
(Michael Greco
). Beppe declares his love for Lynne on her wedding day, but she marries Garry in the end. He finds work as a mechanic and lives with the Slaters. However, Lynne has an affair with her ex-fiancé, Jason James. The couple pull through and decide to try for a baby.
In November 2002, Garry has a drunken one-night stand with Laura Beale
(Hannah Waterman
) and is stunned on Christmas Day when she tells him that she is expecting his baby. Her husband Ian
throws her out, assuming she has been unfaithful. Lynne takes pity on Laura, allowing her to move in, much to Garry's horror, until Ian tells her that Garry is the father of Laura's baby. Lynne is distraught but eventually forgives Garry. However, the couple separate in July 2003 after Garry misses a date with Lynne to stand by Laura during her labour.
After being thrown out by the Slaters, Garry and Laura lived together, naming their son, Bobby (Alex Francis), in honour of Garry's favourite footballer Bobby Moore
. When Bobby needed a blood transfusion, Laura discovered that Ian, not Garry, is Bobby's father—Garry's and Bobby's blood types were incompatible. On her return from hospital, Laura tried to get Ian interested in their baby; since she failed, she kept quiet about Bobby's paternity because she wanted him to have a father. Garry and Laura's new relationship didn't last as he was still in love with Lynne and they eventually reconciled after Garry had a fling with Lynne's sister, Belinda Peacock (Leanne Lakey
), in November 2003, making Lynne realise that she still loved Garry. Lynne later became pregnant with his child.
After Laura's death on 30 April 2004, Bobby moved in with Garry and Lynne. Lynne struggled to accept him but was shocked when Pat Evans
(Pam St. Clement
) revealed that Ian was Bobby's father. Garry was persuaded to give Bobby to Ian, devastating him; further upset occurred when Lynne, unconscious after a fairground accident, needed an emergency caesarean. Lynne survived but their baby daughter, Vivienne, did not. Unable to forgive Garry for consenting to the operation, she left him and Walford after Vivienne's funeral. Devastated, Garry tried committing suicide but was saved by Minty Peterson
(Cliff Parisi
). Garry moves in with Minty and they become good friends, surviving Garry's dislike of Minty's girlfriends...and Minty's brief engagement Hazel, (Kika Mirylees
)- Garry's mother.
Garry becomes infatuated with Dawn Swann
(Kara Tointon
), but his attempts to make her notice him are rebuffed. Dawn dates other men and uses Garry's generosity on various occasions. Garry supports Dawn after the death of her fiance, Jase Dyer
(Stephen Lord
), and believing she has romantic feelings for him, proposes. When Dawn refuses, he stormed off, terrifying the locals when his car is found at a popular suicide spot in Dover. Fearing Garry has killed himself, Dawn realises her true feelings for him and tells a crowded Queen Vic that she loves him, only for Garry to enter and overhear. Despite her initial shock, Dawn and Garry begin a relationship, eventually becoming engaged. However, in July 2009, Dawn has an affair with Garry's boss Phil Mitchell
(Steve McFadden
). Minty discovers the affair and tells Garry, who punches Phil and decides to leave Walford on his and Dawn's wedding day. He goes to a canal and boards the boat he and Minty have been keeping and as he is sailing away, Dawn arrives and runs alongside, telling him how much she loves him. He docks the boat, letting Dawn and her daughter, Summer, onboard and they sail away together.
On 21 September 2010 Minty rings Garry due to him leaving Heather and asks if he can come and live with them for a while thinking that its time to move on.
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...
in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
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,...
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...
, played by Ricky Groves
Ricky Groves
Richard "Ricky" Groves is an English actor best known for playing Garry Hobbs in EastEnders from 2000–09. Before his role in EastEnders he appeared in the series Burnside, a spin-off from The Bill.-Other TV work:...
. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000. It was announced on 26 March 2009 that Groves and co-star Kara Tointon
Kara Tointon
Kara Louise Tointon is a British actress, best known for playing Dawn Swann in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Tointon was the 2010 winner of BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.-Early life:...
, who plays Dawn Swann
Dawn Swann
Dawn Roxanna Swann is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kara Tointon, who first appeared on 26 September 2005...
, would be written out of the soap, and he made his final appearance on 27 August 2009.
Storylines
Garry comes to WalfordWalford
Walford is a fictional borough of east London in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The name Walford is both a street in Dalston where one of the series' creators, Tony Holland, lived and a blend of Walthamstow, where Holland was born, and Stratford. The suffix 'ford' is also found throughout East...
on 18 September 2000, along with his girlfriend Lynne Slater
Lynne Hobbs
Lynne Marie Hobbs is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Elaine Lordan. She appeared in the show from September 2000 to July 2004...
(Elaine Lordan
Elaine Lordan
Elaine Lordan is a British actress.Lordan is most famous for her role as Lynne Hobbs in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which she appeared in from 2000 until 2004...
) and her family. Thinking himself a big hit with the ladies, Garry flirts with numerous women and is unwilling to settle down. Eventually he and Lynne get engaged and, on 7 December 2001, marry despite discovering Lynne's brief fling with Beppe di Marco
Beppe di Marco
Beppe di Marco is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael Greco.Beppe was his family's pride and joy, so it was a big shock to them when he was fired from the police force for attempting to frame local hardman Grant Mitchell...
(Michael Greco
Michael Greco
Michael Greco is an English actor and poker player. He was educated in Surrey, England at Reigate College. Internet rumours claim he was born in Dunbar, Scotland, but Greco himself states that this is false, and that he grew up in London....
). Beppe declares his love for Lynne on her wedding day, but she marries Garry in the end. He finds work as a mechanic and lives with the Slaters. However, Lynne has an affair with her ex-fiancé, Jason James. The couple pull through and decide to try for a baby.
In November 2002, Garry has a drunken one-night stand with Laura Beale
Laura Beale
Laura Ellen Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Hannah Waterman.Laura only ever wanted a happy marriage, but was always made to feel inferior and unattractive by her husband, Ian Beale...
(Hannah Waterman
Hannah Waterman
Hannah Waterman-Groves is an English actress, daughter of Minder star Dennis Waterman and his second wife, actress Patricia Maynard.-Career:...
) and is stunned on Christmas Day when she tells him that she is expecting his baby. Her husband Ian
Ian Beale
Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the longest-serving character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on 19 February 1985...
throws her out, assuming she has been unfaithful. Lynne takes pity on Laura, allowing her to move in, much to Garry's horror, until Ian tells her that Garry is the father of Laura's baby. Lynne is distraught but eventually forgives Garry. However, the couple separate in July 2003 after Garry misses a date with Lynne to stand by Laura during her labour.
After being thrown out by the Slaters, Garry and Laura lived together, naming their son, Bobby (Alex Francis), in honour of Garry's favourite footballer Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore
Robert Frederick Chelsea "Bobby" Moore, OBE was an English footballer. He captained West Ham United for more than ten years and was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup...
. When Bobby needed a blood transfusion, Laura discovered that Ian, not Garry, is Bobby's father—Garry's and Bobby's blood types were incompatible. On her return from hospital, Laura tried to get Ian interested in their baby; since she failed, she kept quiet about Bobby's paternity because she wanted him to have a father. Garry and Laura's new relationship didn't last as he was still in love with Lynne and they eventually reconciled after Garry had a fling with Lynne's sister, Belinda Peacock (Leanne Lakey
Leanne Lakey
Leanne Lakey is a British actress, known for playing Belinda Peacock in EastEnders and Charlotte Day in Family Affairs.-Background:Lakey originally trained to be a dancer, and is accomplished at jazz, ballroom and ballet...
), in November 2003, making Lynne realise that she still loved Garry. Lynne later became pregnant with his child.
After Laura's death on 30 April 2004, Bobby moved in with Garry and Lynne. Lynne struggled to accept him but was shocked when Pat Evans
Pat Evans
Patricia Louise "Pat" Evans is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She has been played by Pam St. Clement since 12 June 1986, just over a year after the show first aired...
(Pam St. Clement
Pam St. Clement
Pamela Ann Clement , known by the stage name Pam St. Clement, is an English actress. She has played Pat Evans in the BBC soap opera EastEnders since 1986, and is now one of the programme's longest-serving cast members. St. Clement announced her intention to leave EastEnders on 8 July 2011 and will...
) revealed that Ian was Bobby's father. Garry was persuaded to give Bobby to Ian, devastating him; further upset occurred when Lynne, unconscious after a fairground accident, needed an emergency caesarean. Lynne survived but their baby daughter, Vivienne, did not. Unable to forgive Garry for consenting to the operation, she left him and Walford after Vivienne's funeral. Devastated, Garry tried committing suicide but was saved by Minty Peterson
Minty Peterson
Richard "Rick" Peterson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Cliff Parisi. He made his first appearance on 11 March 2002. His nickname was given to him because he was always late for work, turning up "after eight" when he was an apprentice mechanic...
(Cliff Parisi
Cliff Parisi
Cliff Parisi is an English actor of Italian descent, largely recognised for his performance as Rick 'Minty' Peterson in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.-Career:...
). Garry moves in with Minty and they become good friends, surviving Garry's dislike of Minty's girlfriends...and Minty's brief engagement Hazel, (Kika Mirylees
Kika Mirylees
Kika Mirylees is a South African-born British actress.-Biography:She has played Angela Snow in The Darling Buds of May, and Doc Newton in Red Dwarf....
)- Garry's mother.
Garry becomes infatuated with Dawn Swann
Dawn Swann
Dawn Roxanna Swann is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kara Tointon, who first appeared on 26 September 2005...
(Kara Tointon
Kara Tointon
Kara Louise Tointon is a British actress, best known for playing Dawn Swann in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Tointon was the 2010 winner of BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.-Early life:...
), but his attempts to make her notice him are rebuffed. Dawn dates other men and uses Garry's generosity on various occasions. Garry supports Dawn after the death of her fiance, Jase Dyer
Jase Dyer
Jason "Jase" Dyer is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Stephen Lord between 2007 and 2008. The character was killed off in the serial, making his final credited appearance on 29 August 2008.-Storylines:...
(Stephen Lord
Stephen Lord
Stephen Lord is a British actor probably best known for playing Jase Dyer, in BBC soap opera EastEnders between 2007-2008.- Personal life :...
), and believing she has romantic feelings for him, proposes. When Dawn refuses, he stormed off, terrifying the locals when his car is found at a popular suicide spot in Dover. Fearing Garry has killed himself, Dawn realises her true feelings for him and tells a crowded Queen Vic that she loves him, only for Garry to enter and overhear. Despite her initial shock, Dawn and Garry begin a relationship, eventually becoming engaged. However, in July 2009, Dawn has an affair with Garry's boss Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
(Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden is an English actor, known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since1990.-Early life:...
). Minty discovers the affair and tells Garry, who punches Phil and decides to leave Walford on his and Dawn's wedding day. He goes to a canal and boards the boat he and Minty have been keeping and as he is sailing away, Dawn arrives and runs alongside, telling him how much she loves him. He docks the boat, letting Dawn and her daughter, Summer, onboard and they sail away together.
On 21 September 2010 Minty rings Garry due to him leaving Heather and asks if he can come and live with them for a while thinking that its time to move on.