Ricky Delaine, portrayed by Neil Roberts, appeared on 26 February 2016[2] and returned briefly in 2021. Ricky is a famous West End theatre performer. He visits the Mill Health Centre to see Valerie Pitman (Sarah Moyle), who runs his online fan-club, when she is suffering from cancer. Years later, he does a performance in Letherbridge. Valerie sneaks into his dressing room and the pair share a drink. Valerie asks if he has received her numerous letters, to which Ricky does not know anything about. He asks about her cancer, which she responds has gone away, despite recently having a throat cancer scare. Valerie assumes that Ricky is performing in Letherbridge as it is her 50th birthday; when he learns of her birthday, he calls her up on stage. Ricky dedicates a song to her and tells the crowd that she is an amazing woman.[3] Ricky later calls her and asks Valerie to meet him in a hotel room. She arrives and begins stripping her clothes, but he informs her that he has asked her there for a job opportunity. He then asks if she would like to be his personal assistant.[4] When he turns up at the Mill demanding Valerie to leave with him, she realises he is drunk and that he is trying to use her as a fling. She declines his offer and asks him to leave.[5]
Ben Owens
Ben Owens, portrayed by James Daffern, first appeared on 11 March 2016 and made his final appearance on 1 April 2016. Ben is introduced as a man choking at the Icon bar, and Dr. Niamh Donoghue (Jessica Regan) performs the Heimlich manoeuvre on him. After Ben stops choking, he asks Niamh for her phone number.[6] He later calls her and asks her out on a date.[7] While on the date, he reveals that his son Harry Owens (Cuchulainn Canning) has a systemic autoimmune condition that doctors are unable to diagnose, and that he shares care of Harry with his ex-wife Sarah Owens (Erin Shanagher).[8] Ben takes Niamh to visit Harry in hospital, where he informs Niamh that the most likely outcome is his death, pleading her to look at viable treatment options. She finds an experimental treatment option in Switzerland, but due to his condition, doctors conclude that he is too ill to travel abroad.[9] Niamh disagrees with the decision, and helps Ben, Harry and Sarah to get to Switzerland, where Harry responds well to the treatment.[10]
Paul Cuthbert, portrayed by Andy Moss, first appeared on 14 April 2016 and made his final appearance on 10 June 2016. Paul was introduced as the boyfriend of heavily pregnant Rhiannon Davies (Lucy-Jo Hudson).[11] After it transpires that Rhiannon's firstborn child was taken by social services due to neglect, Paul accompanies Rhiannon to a hearing called to debate whether or not she can care for the unborn child. The consensus is that she can, and days later, she gives birth to a boy, Nicholas. Weeks later, his death is reported, and Paul refuses to take accountability for his death, and negates any claims of child abuse from him or Rhiannon. He is later told by Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) that Rhiannon is responsible for Nicholas' death after violently shaking him, and he is let go by the police.
Moss was travelling in India when producers of the soap devised a storyline for him; they asked to meet him a day after he landed back in the United Kingdom. Since he had done an episode of Doctors years ago, he initially assumed that he would not be interested in another guest stint. However, they explained that the stint as Paul would be longer, sent him some provisional scripts and told him that he would be working alongside Hudson. He met with them again a day later, where he was cast in the role.[12] The casting of both Moss and Hudson was announced on 2 April 2016, with Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly writing that they would be part of a big storyline. Kilkelly noted that despite guest stars on Doctors usually appearing for one or two episodes, their story arc would be covered across several months. Producers also confirmed that their story "will take some dark turns".[13]
Moss said that when viewers are introduced to Paul, "he seems like a lovely nice guy".[12] Explaining his backstory, Moss said: "He's had quite a steady relationship with his girlfriend Rhiannon over the past year or so. Paul has been supporting her quite a lot, because she does have quite a past. They've come out the other side from that now and they're expecting their first child together. So it's a joyous story at first - but then it takes a very dark turn..."[12] The actor said that neither he nor Hudson knew the outcome of the storyline. He explained that producers wanted his character to seem "happy-go-lucky" in his earlier scenes, while also having a "glint in his eye which hinted that something wasn't quite right".[12] Moss also recalled that when himself and Hudson would read new scripts, their "jaws would hit the floor" in shock, adding that they "couldn't have even imagined" the culmination of events in their final episodes.[12] Neither of the actors were given their final scripts until shortly before filming the scenes, which Hudson felt aided them. She said they "would have played it slightly different"; Moss echoed her statement, adding that it made the scenes feel "real".[14]
Rhiannon Davis, portrayed by Lucy-Jo Hudson, first appeared on 14 April 2016 and made her final appearance on 10 June 2016.[15] Rhiannon was introduced alongside boyfriend Paul Cuthbert (Andy Moss); she is a heavily pregnant patient under the care of Dr. Emma Reid (Dido Miles). Rhiannon confides in Emma that it is not her first child since her firstborn was taken away by social services.[16] It later transpires that Rhiannon was addicted to drugs, which led to the neglect of the child. When social services discover that she is pregnant, her rights to caring for the child are questioned, and there is eventually a hearing on whether she can or not, and the consensus is that Rhiannon can care for the child once it is born.[17] Days after the hearing, Rhiannon goes into early labour, and gives birth to a boy, Nicholas.[18] Weeks later, the death of Nicholas is reported to the police, and a post-mortem report reveals that he died after being repeatedly shaken by Rhiannon. When asked by sergeant Rob Hollins (Chris Walker), Rhiannon explains that Nicholas would not stop crying and that her stress led to her shaking him. She is subsequently charged with murder.
The casting of both Moss and Hudson was announced on 2 April 2016, with Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly writing that they would be part of a big storyline. Kilkelly noted that despite guest stars on Doctors usually appearing for one or two episodes, their story arc would be covered across several months. Producers also confirmed that their story "will take some dark turns".[13] Explaining the couple's backstory, Moss said: "Paul has been supporting [Rhiannon] quite a lot, because she does have quite a past. They've come out the other side from that now and they're expecting their first child together. So it's a joyous story at first - but then it takes a very dark turn..."[12] Moss also said that neither he nor Hudson knew the outcome of the storyline. He also recalled that when himself and Hudson would read new scripts, their "jaws would hit the floor" in shock, adding that they "couldn't have even imagined" the culmination of events in their final episodes.[12] Neither of the actors were given their final scripts until shortly before filming the scenes, which Hudson felt aided them. She said they "would have played it slightly different"; Moss echoed her statement, adding that it made the scenes feel "real".[14] Appearing on This Morning, Hudson said that she cried a lot while filming the sad scenes. She explained that as a mother, she was relating the events to her own children, which made it a hard role to play.[14]
Hudson stated that despite appearing on Doctors for a short amount of time, she felt like "part of the furniture" and that her co-stars and the production team were "lovely".[19] After scenes depicting Rhiannon having a breakdown and her eventual arrest were aired, numerous viewers voiced via social media that Hudson and Doctors itself "deserve awards" for the "emotional" storyline.[20] A year later, for her portrayal of Rhiannon, Hudson won the award for Villain of the Year at the 2017 British Soap Awards. After winning the award, she stated that she was shocked to be nominated in the villain category, as Rhiannon is not "your stereotypical villain at all", and is rather a "depressive character".[19] Hudson also felt that Rhiannon was a misunderstood character.[21]
Jane Fairweather
Jane Fairweather, portrayed by Patricia Potter, first appeared on 21 April 2016 and made her final appearance on 11 October 2017.[22] Jane is a social worker that is introduced when Emma Reid (Dido Miles) enquires about Rhiannon Davis' (Lucy-Jo Hudson) history with her firstborn child. Jane informs her that Rhiannon had a drug addiction and that her neglect of her eight-month-old child led to the child having development issues. Jane arranges a hearing on whether or not Rhiannon should have rights to care for her upcoming child, of which the consensus is that she can. Jane disagrees with the result, and pledges to have the baby taken into foster care.
Jane is also involved with Karen (Jan Pearson) and Rob Hollins (Chris Walker), who want to become foster parents. Jane arranges an evening where potential foster parents can gather information about fostering, where she states that everybody must have rigorous background checks, involving health and other aspects of their lives. When Rob feels he is not ready to foster children, he visits Jane and informs her that Karen is too unwell to be a foster parent, due to having had amnesia. She later reveals this to Karen.
Tyler Green
PC Tyler Green, portrayed by David Atkins, first appeared on 19 October 2016 and made his final appearance on 2 February 2017. Tyler is a police constable that begins working with Rob Hollins (Chris Walker). When he meets Ayesha Lee (Laura Rollins), he flirts with her, but she informs him that she is in a relationship with Seb Gooder (Miles Yekinni).[23] When Ayesha is on a date with Seb, Tyler arrives, and the two try to outdo each other by impressing Ayesha. She chooses to further her relationship with Seb, but after seeing him angry, she begins to doubt her choice.[24] However, when the pair go on numerous dates, their relationship develops. While on a shift, Tyler comes across Brenda (Andrea Gordon), the mother of Ayesha. Thinking Brenda would cause trouble for himself and Ayesha, Tyler begins to pay her to stay away from Ayesha.[25] Bren later reveals this to Ayesha, and she has an argument with him. Ayesha then learns that Tyler has left Letherbridge and transferred to a different police station.
Lena Baker
Lena Baker, portrayed by Josephine Butler, first appeared on 30 November 2016[26] and made her final appearance on 17 February 2020. Lena was introduced as a love interest for Emma Reid (Dido Miles), despite being married. She is also a friend to Valerie Pitman (Sarah Moyle), as the pair bond over both having cancer. Although Lena and Emma start as friends, they begin to develop romantic feelings for each other and begin an affair. However, once their affair is exposed to Lena's husband and family, they begin a public relationship. Over three years later, Lena surprises Emma when she comes to stay at her bed and breakfast with her new girlfriend. The pair catch up, and talk about their sexuality, which ends in Lena kissing Emma. After the kiss, they both affirm that it did not mean anything significant, and decide to move on.[27]
One of Ayesha's (Laura Rollins) younger sisters. She arrives in Letherbridge and when the pair of them go to visit their addict mother, Brenda (Andrea Gordon), they find her drunk.
A boxing instructor who flirts with Ayesha Lee (Laura Rollins). The pair kiss and arrange a date.[33] While on a date with Ayesha, Tyler Green (David Atkins) shows up and competes with Seb for Ayesha's attention, and she later chooses him over Seb.
The mother of Adam (Taro Bahar). Adam cares for her due to her condition.
Related Research Articles
Doctors is a British medical soap opera, first broadcast on BBC One on 26 March 2000, and concluded on 14 November 2024. Filmed in Birmingham and set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap follows the lives of the staff of both an NHS doctor's surgery and a university campus surgery, as well as the lives of their families and friends. Initially, only 41 episodes of the programme were ordered, but due to the positive reception, the BBC ordered it as a continuing soap opera. Doctors was filmed at the Pebble Mill Studios until 2004; production then relocated to the BBC Drama Village, where it filmed until 2024. Episodes are filmed three months prior to transmission. The soap is typically broadcast on weekdays at 1:45 pm on BBC One, as well as having classic episodes broadcast on Drama. It took three annual transmission breaks across the year: at Easter, during the summer and at Christmas.
Lucy-Jo Hudson is an English actress, known for her roles as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, Rosie Trevanion in Wild at Heart and Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks. Her role as Rhiannon Davis in Doctors earned her the British Soap Award for Villain of the Year in 2017.
Rob Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Chris Walker. Rob was introduced as a police sergeant at Letherbridge police station and made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 July 2009. Rob is the husband of Karen Hollins, a receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre, as well as the father of Imogen and Jack Hollins. Rob is depicted as a dependable family man and it has been noted that whenever another character needs advice, Rob would always be there to help. Rob's storyline in the programme has included disagreeing with Karen on aborting their baby, accidentally causing his wife's amnesia, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), becoming a foster parent, being accused of police brutality, and the breakdown and reconciliation of his marriage. Rob's PTSD was explored over the duration of a year with the climax coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week in 2018, with the storyline being revisited in 2021.
Valerie Pitman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Sarah Moyle. Valerie was introduced as a temporary receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre on 15 October 2012. Valerie is depicted as a kind, nosy and humorous character who enjoys getting involved in other people's lives. Her backstory involves growing up as an only child with no friends who dresses differently to other people, so since she feels like an outsider, she is desperate to be part of a unit of loved ones. Moyle was originally contracted on the soap as a recurring character, but after a positive reaction from viewers, she was promoted to a regular cast member. One of the storylines that accredited to her popularity was an issue-led storyline that saw Valerie diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma. Moyle felt honoured to be given the storyline and found it interesting to play the storyline from a comedic perspective.
Dr. Emma Reid is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Dido Miles. Emma made her first appearance on 2 October 2012, and since her arrival, her storylines in the soap have included her romances with character including Howard Bellamy, Lena Baker, Jasmine Dajani and Aashiq Sawney, dealing with her husband's assisted suicide, having a miscarriage, grieving over Howard following his sudden death and being the victim of a homophobic assault.
Dr. Al Haskey is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Ian Midlane. He first appeared during the episode broadcast on 13 November 2012. His storylines in the programme have included being accused of stalking Jas Khella, his friendship with colleague Jimmi Clay, dealing with his mother's dementia, his tumultuous relationships and being attacked by a patient.
Dr. Niamh Donoghue is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Jessica Regan. Niamh was introduced as a general practitioner at the fictional Mill Health Centre. She first appeared on 1 May 2014 and made her last appearance on 1 April 2016.
Ayesha Lee is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Laura Rollins. Ayesha was introduced as a Practice Nurse at The Mill, and made her first appearance on 30 September 2014. Since her arrival in the series, Ayesha has faced storylines such as her relationship with Sid Vere, dealing with her mother's alcohol and drug addictions, and being drugged in a bar. In May 2020, Rollins confirmed her departure from the cast of Doctors, and her final scenes aired on 5 June 2020.
Bear Sylvester is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Dex Lee. Lee began filming for the role in June 2019 and Bear made his first appearance on 18 November 2019, in scenes that show him attending an interview to become the practice manager at the fictional Mill Health Centre. Bear's initial scenes show him struggling with the job for unknown reasons, but he is eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. He is also shown to have an issue with colleague Jimmi Clay and it transpires in the years prior to his arrival, Jimmi gave abortion advice to Bear's girlfriend.
Izzie Torres is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors. Izzie has been played by four actresses since her onscreen arrival; Jasmin and Nicole Parkinson between 2008 and 2011, Maizey Corbett in 2012, and Bethan Moore from 2018 to 2022. Her storylines in the programme have included being left in the Mill Health Centre as a baby, being kidnapped, her feud with Zara Carmichael, becoming an environmental activist, coming out as pansexual and being the victim of online trolling. When Moore was cast in the role, her age meant that Izzie could be given more mature storylines and she later received a nomination for the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer in 2019.
Luca McIntyre is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Ross McLaren. Luca is introduced to the series on 24 February 2021 following the departure of nurse Ayesha Lee the year prior. McLaren's acting credits confirmed that he had been contracted as a series regular on the soap. McLaren felt thrilled to be cast on Doctors and has described Luca as a cheeky and lovely character who would "go the extra mile" to help a patient. Luca's introduction sees him feature in a standalone centric episode that explores his background, including experiencing homophobia in his former workplace and suffering a car accident that ends the life of his boyfriend Billy Parker. His background also involves a religious upbringing and a bad relationship with his mother, and later scenes in the series reveal that Luca is HIV-positive, which he initially receives a negative response to from patients of the Mill Health Centre.
The twenty-third series of the British medical soap opera Doctors commenced airing on 14 February 2022, and concluded on 9 January 2023. The series comprised 148 episodes. Set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap follows the lives of the staff and patients of the Mill Health Centre, a fictional NHS doctor's surgery.
↑ Director: Paul Gibson; Producer: Lee Thomas; Writer: Dominique Moloney (29 April 2016). "What Goes Around". Doctors. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
↑ "Hollyoaks' Donna-Marie Quinn faces your questions". Inside Soap: 52–53. 18–24 September 2021.
↑ Writer: Bill Armstrong; Director: Ian Barber; Producer: Caroline Slater (21 April 2016). "I Know She Lies". Doctors. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
↑ Director: Gary Williams; Producer: Grainne O'Boyle; Writer: Jeremy Hylton Davies (30 November 2016). "Chromatic". Doctors. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
↑ "Laura Rollins Doctor's Ayesha Lee ... faces your questions!". Inside Soap. No.47. 25 November – 1 December 2017. pp.48–49.
↑ Writer: Jonathan Evans; Director: Piotr Szkopiak; Producer: Caroline Slater (22 March 2020). "Age Concern". Doctors. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
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