Ted Hills

Last updated

Ted Hills
EastEnders character
Tedhills1.jpg
Portrayed by Brian Croucher
Duration1995–1997
First appearanceEpisode 1175
24 August 1995 (1995-08-24)
Last appearanceEpisode 1488
12 August 1997 (1997-08-12)
Classification Former; regular
In-universe information
OccupationHardware store owner
FatherDennis Hills
MotherBrenda Hills
BrothersColin Hills
Jonathan Hills
Sisters Kathy Beale
Stephanie Hills
Wife Irene Carter (divorced)
Sons Tony Hills
Daughters Sarah Hills
Nephews Ian Beale
Ben Mitchell

Ted Hills is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders , played by Brian Croucher. He was introduced in 1995 as the patriarch of the Hills family, who are the extended family of established character Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). Croucher was axed from EastEnders in 1997, after having been in the show for just under two years.

Contents

Storylines

Backstory

Ted grew up in Walford and came from an impoverished family headed by an alcoholic father. He was protective towards his family, in particular his younger sister Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), so when she started dating a local named Pete Beale (Peter Dean) c.1965, Ted initially took a dislike to him. Pete seemingly won Ted's blessing and for a while Ted worked with Pete on his market stall. One day Ted asked Pete if he could store some of his stuff in his lock-up overnight. Pete agreed and that night the police came and found stolen goods in the lock-up. Pete was arrested but would not implicate Ted and came close to being imprisoned as a result. Pete's best friend Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) believed Ted had planted the stolen goods on purpose to get Pete in trouble. Den threatened Ted's life so Ted fled from Walford.

Ted married Irene Carter (Roberta Taylor) and they had two children, Tony (Mark Homer) in 1976 and Sarah (Daniela Denby-Ashe) in 1980. Irene was discontent in marriage and she left Ted and her children. Ted's building company got into trouble because of a health and safety "accident" and he was fined for negligence when an employee died of injuries while working for Ted. In actuality, the boy's death was not an accident; Ted's friend, Jimmy Doyle (Patrick Duggan) had killed him when he tried to warn the boy away from sexually harassing 14-year-old Sarah. Jimmy hit the boy and he fell from scaffolding and died. Ted covered for Jimmy because in the past, Jimmy had taken the blame for a crime Ted committed and had served a prison sentence. Ted's family started to get victimized by the dead boy's family and were forced to leave their area of residence in 1995.

1995-1997

After 30 years away, Ted returns to Walford in 1995 with his children after hearing of Den (believed dead at the time) and Pete's deaths. His return is not welcomed by Pete's sister, Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), who still blames him for almost ruining her brother's life. Baker (Martyn Read), the father of the boy Jimmy killed, follows Ted to Walford and makes threats towards his family. Kathy's husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) intervenes and informs Baker that Ted is not responsible for the boy's murder as he suspects, but that Jimmy is. Jimmy is beaten by the Bakers and decides to flee Walford so Ted and his family will be safe. Ted purchases a shop on Bridge Street and names it 'Hills' Hardware'; he attempts to get Tony involved, but Tony is largely uninterested.

Ted is strict and overprotective of his family and has a bad temper which gets him into trouble. [1] He struggles when he finds out that his son Tony is bisexual and nearly disowns him, losing many friends in the Square as a result. When his daughter Sarah runs away, he beats Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) unconscious and puts him in hospital, suspecting that he has raped Sarah. In fact, Sarah had propositioned Robbie and fled Walford in shame after they had sex. Ted later receives a two-year suspended sentence for the attack on Robbie. Ted's behaviour frequently alienates his children and is his main source of conflict in Walford.

By 1997, Ted's business is floundering; he runs up huge debts and has to close the shop. When he is offered a job on a building project in Dubai, he accepts, leaving Walford and his children who refuse to go with him. He later moves to South Africa, and is joined there by Kathy in 1998.

In 2023, Kathy’s partner Tom "Rocky" Cotton revealed to Bobby Beale, Ted’s great nephew, that he had called Ted when he was looking for Ian Beale and asked for Ian’s whereabouts.

Creation and development

Brian Croucher was selected to play Ted Hills after auditioning for the part of Roy Evans in 1994. [2] Croucher was short-listed to play Roy, a love interest for Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), but producers of the show decided they did not want to use him for Roy. This part went to Tony Caunter and Croucher was instead cast as Ted Hills, the older brother of original character Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). [2] Ted was the patriarch of a family of three, introduced in 1995. In his storyline, Ted moved back to Walford, the area he was born and raised in, with his son Tony Hills (Mark Homer) and daughter Sarah Hills (Daniela Denby-Ashe).

In 1997, Brian Croucher was axed from the show. It was reported that his character Ted would "go out with a bang". A source said, "Brian was near the end of his contract and it was an opportunity to create a classic EastEnders moment." [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walford</span> Fictional borough of London, England

Walford is a fictional borough of east London in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It is the primary setting for the soap. EastEnders is filmed at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, towards the north-west of London. Much of the location work is filmed in nearby Watford, which was chosen for many of the exterior scenes due to its close proximity and the town's name being so similar to Walford. Thus, any stray road signs or advertising boards which are accidentally filmed in the back of shots will appear to read Walford. Locations used in Watford include most interior and exterior church scenes of various churches, the snooker club, the County Court and Magistrates' Courts courtrooms, and the cemetery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Beale</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Ian Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the drama's longest-serving main character and one of four remaining original characters, the others being Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts and Tracey. The character appeared in his 2,000th episode in the show on 26 March 2007, and his 3,000th on 27 May 2016. Woodyatt took an extended break from EastEnders on 22 January 2021. He made appearances on 12 December 2022 and 22 June 2023, prior to a full-time return on 22 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Beale</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera Eastenders

Pete Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He makes his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was introduced by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EastEnders; he was based on a member of Holland's family. Pete is featured in the soap for eight years as the local fruit and veg trader of Albert Square; he is a member of the original focal clan in the serial, the Beales and Fowlers. Pete is portrayed as a macho and somewhat insensitive individual who struggles to cope with emotion. Pete was axed from the soap in 1993 and departed in May that year after over eight years on-screen. The character was killed off-screen later that year, following Peter Dean's public criticism of the BBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Beale</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Kathy Cotton is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gillian Taylforth. Portrayed as "an attractive, bright, caring and highly moral woman", Kathy is one of the serial's original characters, appearing in the first episode of EastEnders on 19 February 1985. Taylforth was originally dismissed for the role of Kathy due to her young age, but was reconsidered when she impressed show bosses. Kathy remained in a prominent role throughout her original stint on the serial, featuring in high-profiled storylines involving her rape at the hands of James Willmott-Brown and the discovery of a long-lost daughter, Donna Ludlow, after she was sexually assaulted as a teenager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gillian Taylforth</span> English actress (b. 1955)

Gillian Taylforth is an English actress. She is known for her role as Kathy Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as well as appearing as Jackie Pascoe on ITV's Footballers' Wives (2002–2006) and Sgt. Nikki Wright in ITV's The Bill (2006–2008). She has also appeared in film during her early career, has presented on ITV's Loose Women and appeared as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beale family</span> Fictional family from EastEnders

The Beales and the Fowlers are a fictional family in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. They were the main family for storylines in early episodes of EastEnders, and remained as such ever since. With at least one member of the family having been a member of the cast from the first episode in February 1985, they are the show's longest serving family. The original Beale/Fowler family consisted of matriarch Lou Beale and her children Pete and Pauline, alongside their families including their children Ian, Mark, Michelle and their spouses Kathy Hills and Arthur Fowler. Additionally, several members of the family have been introduced at a later point, including Pauline and Arthur's son Martin who was the first baby to be born into the show in 1985. The family has been headed with a matriarch first seen with Lou, and over the years, Lou's daughter Pauline, Ian's wife Jane Collins and more recently Pete's wife Kathy, have filled this role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irene Raymond</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Irene Raymond is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Roberta Taylor. Introduced in 1997 as the matriarch of the Hills family, Irene remained in the serial until 2000, when the actress opted to leave. Involved in comical and dramatic storylines, Irene is paired romantically with Terry Raymond, and is prominently featured as part of the 1999 Christmas Day episodes, where her extra-marital affair with a toy boy is discovered by Terry. Her departure storyline was filmed on-location in Spain, where she ends her marriage to Terry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lou Beale</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Lou Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Anna Wing. Her first appearance is in the first episode, which was broadcast on 19 February 1985, and her last is in episode 362, first shown on 26 July 1988, after which the character was killed off. The character is played by Karen Meagher in the 1988 EastEnders special, CivvyStreet, set during the Second World War. She appears in 232 episodes.

Richard Cole (<i>EastEnders</i>) Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Richard Cole is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ian Reddington between 23 July 1992 and 21 July 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurie Bates</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Laurie Bates is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Gary Powell. Laurie was introduced by producer Mike Gibbon in September 1989 as a rival to the long-established character Pete Beale – he opens up a business in direct competition to him and then dates his estranged wife Kathy. Laurie Bates was one of many characters to be axed early in 1990, following the introduction of the serial's new executive-producer, Michael Ferguson. He makes his last appearance in March 1990, lasting roughly six months on-screen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorna Cartwright</span> Fictional character in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders"

Lorna Cartwright is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Janet Dibley intermittently between 31 July 1997 and 23 April 1998. Lorna was introduced primarily as a catalyst to break up Phil Mitchell's marriage to Kathy Beale. Although producers reportedly wanted to develop the character further, actress Janet Dibley declined their offer of an extended contract, as she disagreed with a proposed storyline that would see Lorna gang raped. The character returned on 17 March 2016, as part of Phil's cirrhosis storyline.

Alex Healy (<i>EastEnders</i>) Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

The Reverend Alex Healy is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Richard Driscoll between 31 March 1997 and 23 August 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Willmott-Brown</span> Fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders

James Willmott-Brown is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by William Boyde. The character originally appeared in Albert Square from 1986 to 1989, where he established the square's second pub – "The Dagmar" – and instigated a feud with his business rival Den Watts. Willmott-Brown then developed a romantic obsession with his employee Kathy Beale, which sparked the events of the character raping her in 1988.

<i>EastEnders</i> Live Week Series of live EastEnders episodes

EastEndersLive Week is a set of five EastEnders episodes, including live elements, which was broadcast 17–20 February 2015 to mark the programme's 30th anniversary. The episodes were broadcast on BBC One and simulcast to Irish viewers on RTÉ One. The week was based around the wedding of Ian and Jane Beale, whilst concluding the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline and featuring elements of the aftermath of Nick Cotton's demise, after he collapsed in his mother Dot Branning's arms having injected himself with impure heroin on 13 February 2015. The week also featured Kim Fox-Hubbard giving birth to her daughter Pearl two months prematurely, the continuing fall out from Dean Wicks' rape of Linda Carter and the shock return of Kathy Beale, who was presumed dead nine years earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Sullivan</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Gavin Sullivan is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Paul Nicholas. He first appeared on 21 August 2015. Gavin is the third husband of Kathy Mitchell and is also revealed as the biological father of Sharon Watts. He is first mentioned as Sharon's father in 1990 and as Kathy's husband in 2001, but does not appear on screen until 2015 and it is not known that Sharon's father and Kathy's husband are the same Gavin until October 2015. Viewers are informed in a 2006 episode that Kathy and Gavin are dead, but Kathy returns in February 2015, revealing that Gavin is also alive. Billed as "an EastEnders villain like no other", Gavin has been described as "dangerous", "sinister", "nasty" and "evil". His storylines include his "abusive", "controlling" and "manipulative" relationship with Kathy, kidnapping recovering alcoholic Phil Mitchell and getting him drinking again, and blackmailing Claudette Hubbard. His departure involves kidnapping Kathy, causing the death of his sister Margaret Midhurst and being arrested after threatening to kill himself and Sharon. He appeared in 30 episodes, and his final appearance is on 8 July 2016. In January 2021, Gavin was killed-off off-screen.

References

  1. "Misery Christmas; FROM THE CAST OF EASTENDERS". The Mirror . 4 December 1996. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  2. 1 2 Larry Jaffee (2009). Albert Square & Me: The Actors of Eastenders . iUniverse.com. ISBN   978-1-4401-5987-9.
  3. Wright, Matthew (16 April 1997). "MY EASTENDER'S NOT ROUND THE BENDER". The Mirror . Retrieved 26 January 2010.