Simon Howe is a character 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 Brookside

Brookside

Brookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003...

. He was played by Lee Hartney from 1993 until the characters suicide in 1994.

Background and introduction

Howe started work at the garage alongside Terry Sullivan

Terry Sullivan (Brookside)

Terry Sullivan is a fictional character in the British Soap opera Brookside, played by Brian Regan. Terry first appeared a few episodes after the series began in 1982, making his debut in episode six. He was the best friend of Barry Grant having grown up with him, and in many ways Barry's mother...

 in 1993. The two contrasted, Simon's piety and Terry's drinking and criminal activity. After sometime they started to get on and the two went for a drink. Simon then invited Terry back to the house he was renting (no. 5). Later when Simon was having a religious meeting he invited Terry to join but Terry declined.

Relationship with Katy Rogers

Howe preyed on people who had personal tragedy. Like Terry, Katie Rogers

Katie Rogers

Katie Rogers is a fictional character in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside first played by Debbie Reynolds. Diane Burke played the role from 1989 until 2003.-The cult:...

 had also experience personal tragedy through the recent death of her father. Simon indoctrinated her into his cult and took her virginity as initiation into the group.

Terry joins the cult

Despite his initial reluctance Terry soon proved easy prey for Simon after the death of his wife and son. In indoctrinating Terry, Simon however invokes the wrath of Terry's friend Barry Grant

Barry Grant

Barry Grant is a fictional character in the defunct Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. He was portrayed by Paul Usher and was in the series from episode one in 1982 until 1995 with several sporadic guest appearances in 1997, 1998 and the final episode in 2003....

.

Vendetta with Barry

With Barry already disliking Simon for brain-washing his best friend Terry, Simon further antagonises Barry by handing out leaflets warning of the 'perils of drink' outside Barry's bar. Barry threatens Simon, leaving Simon deciding to get him back. When the lease on No.5 expires Simon decides he wants to buy it to use it as his church. Barry however buys back his old house before Simon can and begins eviction proceedings.

The bomb

Deciding that if he couldn't have his house then nobody could, Simon decided to blow it up. When Barry breaks in trying to evict Simon, Simon captures him and ties him up. He then makes a homemade bomb, releasing Barry just before setting the bomb. The bomb explodes, however it only causes superficial damage. Barry escapes; however, Simon and Terry are standing too near to the house and are injured. Barry visits Terry, who, to Barry's surprise, stays loyal to Simon.

Suicide pact

After recovering, Simon tells Terry that their work is done and it is time to die. The two try to asphyxiate themselves with exhaust fumes in a car. Barry finds them and rescues Terry only, leaving Simon to die.