Duncan Button: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:54, 19 May 2023

Revision as of 19:37, 25 May 2023

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{{Use dmy dates|date=JulyMay 20132023}}

{{Infobox soap character

| series = Hollyoaks

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==Character creation and casting==

In July 2009, at the ''Hollyoaks'' Press Day series producer [[Lucy Allan (producer)|Lucy Allan]] revealed that a mysterious character called Duncan would arrive in the village.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/scoop/a165536/gossip-from-the-hollyoaks-press-day-2009.html|title=Gossip from the 'Hollyoaks' Press Day 2009|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=16 July 2009|access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In October 2009, it was revealed that Duncan would be the godson of established characters [[Neville Ashworth|Neville]] ([[Jim Millea]]) and [[Suzanne Ashworth]] ([[Suzanne Hall]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/scoop/a183354/shock-walford-oaks-kisses-and-two-proposals.html|title=Shock Walford, 'Oaks kisses and two proposals!|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=25 October 2009|access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> In the same month it was announced that ''Hollyoaks'' series producer Lucy Allan had cast television newcomer [[Dean Aspen(actor)|Dean Aspen]] in the role of Duncan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/new-boy-duncan-joins-oaks-3670|title=New boy Duncan joins 'Oaks|work=[[Holy Soap]]|publisher=([[Five (TV channel)|Five]])|access-date=26 July 2010|date=1 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102055554/http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/new-boy-duncan-joins-oaks-3670|archive-date=2 November 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> To prepare for the role, Aspen revealed that he has to shave every day, as well as having to put on a stone and a half in weight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/deans-shaving-the-years-off-3790|title=Dean's shaving the years off|work=[[Holy Soap]]|publisher=([[Five (TV channel)|Five]])|access-date=26 July 2010|date=8 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110063605/http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/deans-shaving-the-years-off-3790|archive-date=10 November 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In January 2010, it was announced that [[Lucy Allan (producer)|Lucy Allan]] had stepped down from the position of series producer and that [[Paul Marquess]] had taken over the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a196734/hollyoaks-producer-allan-quits-soap.html|title='Hollyoaks' producer Allan quits soap|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=15 January 2010|access-date=9 March 2010}}</ref> It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give ''Hollyoaks'' a "shake up", changing the production team<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a202385/new-hollyoaks-boss-shakes-up-production.html|title=New 'Hollyoaks' boss shakes up production|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=11 February 2010|access-date=9 March 2010}}</ref> and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters -– Neville, Suzanne and [[Josh Ashworth]] ([[Sonny Flood]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a200599/new-hollyoaks-producer-axes-three.html|title=New 'Hollyoaks' producer axes three|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=9 February 2010|access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> As well as the axings, Emma Rigby who played [[Hannah Ashworth|Hannah]] had chosen to quit the previous year, bowing out in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a155517/emma-rigby-confirms-december-oaks-exit.html|title=Emma Rigby confirms December 'Oaks exit|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=11 May 2009|access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> However, it was revealed that the character of Duncan would remain in the series after the Ashworth's departure along with [[Rhys Ashworth]] ([[Andrew Moss]]), the family's eldest son.

In May 2011 it was announced that Aspen had decided to leave the serial in order to pursue other projects.<ref name="ThreeDepartures">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a320637/hollyoaks-confirms-three-cast-departures.html|title=Hollyoaks confirms three cast departures|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|date=20 May 2011|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref> Discussing his departure Aspen said: "I have had an absolutely brilliant time playing Duncan -– I feel like Hollyoaks have paid me to laugh, but, after two years, I really feel the time is right for a new challenge."<ref name="ThreeDepartures"/>

In September 2013, it was revealed through spoiler pictures that Aspen had reprised his role as Duncan for the [[Hollyoaks Later (series 6)|sixth series]] of [[Hollyoaks Later]], which would air during early October. It was shown that Duncan would be training in the army alongside central character, Louie McQueen ([[Bryan Parry (Actor)|Bryan Parry]]) as his cousin and Duncan's friend [[Theresa McQueen]] ([[Jorgie Porter]]) visits them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s182/hollyoaks-later/news/a519702/hollyoaks-duncan-button-returns-in-later-first-look-pictures.html#~ppjIT5xYcTuFSv |title = 'Hollyoaks': Duncan returns in 'Later'|websitepublisher = [[Digital Spy]]|date = 30 September 2013}}</ref>

==Character development==

In an interview with entertainment website ''[[Digital Spy]]'' speaking of Duncan's friendship with fellow teenager [[Ricky Campbell]] ([[Ashley Margolis]]), Lucy Allan said, "Ahh, Duncan and Ricky! I love them. If you look at who [[Max Cunningham|Max [Cunningham]]] ([[Matt Littler]]) and [[Sam "O.B." O'Brien|O.B.]] ([[Darren Jeffries]]) were when they were teenagers... They had an innocence and a naïvety to them that the show was lacking at the time. I actually wrote Max and O.B.'s storylines when they were youngsters and they spent about six months trying to get [[Chloe Bruce|Chloe [Bruce]]] ([[Mikyla Dodd]]) into bed in a burger van! There's a joy in Ricky and Duncan that shouldn't be ignored. They're just trying to get laid -– Duncan in particular, by whatever means necessary. Even if that means suggesting that his sexuality isn't what it is. And Ricky has a secret, so we'll meet elements of his family..."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/scoop/a190457/bonus-scoop-hollyoaks-spoilers-for-2010.html|title=Bonus Scoop: 'Hollyoaks' spoilers for 2010|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=10 December 2009|access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref>

==Storylines==

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Neville and Suzanne decide to leave the village with Duncan and go to Spain. The family leave the village for Spain, but Rhys decides to stay. Duncan returns from Spain and he moves in with [[Darren Osborne]] ([[Ashley Taylor Dawson]]) along with Rhys. Duncan speaks to his parents and they tell him he has to come home. Duncan begs Rhys to let him stay with him and he agrees. [[Jack Osborne]] ([[Jimmy McKenna]]) tells Darren and Duncan to move in with the family. Duncan is delighted and accepts.

Duncan announces to Darren in October 2010 that he is getting driving lessons so he can drive and finally get a girl. When Darren quizzed his age, Duncan announced that he was actually 17 -– he just lied to the reality show earlier that year so he could have the "Sweet 16th" birthday party. Duncan reveals to Darren in December 2010 that his parents tried to kill him one Christmas, which is the reason why he does not want to join them this year. He also stated that they have been in a number of game and reality TV shows. He is then delighted to hear from Rhys that he is going to join Suzanne, Neville and Josh in Spain for Christmas and that he did not need to worry about the cost of the flight tickets as Neville has already paid for them.

On Christmas Eve along with Jack, Duncan discovers [[India Longford]]'s ([[Beth Kingston]]) body in a nearby woods whilst taking their dog for a walk.

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==Reception==

Ruth Deller of entertainment website ''[[Lowculture|lowculture.co.uk]]'' criticised Duncan during her monthly review on the popularity of soap opera characters, where she branded him as useless, "Lots of characters have been (or are about to be) culled from the soap, but sadly, as of yet, Duncan isn’t one of them. He and Ricky have been set up to be the new OB and Max, and it really hasn’t worked, because OB and Max were actually likeable. Ricky at least has some potentially interesting storylines going for him, but Duncan? He makes [[Gilly Roach|Gilly [Roach]]] and [[Spencer Gray (Hollyoaks)|Spencer [Gray]]] ([[Darren John Langford]]) look like characters with a purpose."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lowculture.co.uk/index.php/2010/07/04/soapstar-superstars-jan-june-2010/#more-6177|title=Soapstar Superstars – January–June 2010|publisher=[[Lowculture|lowculture.co.uk]]|author=Deller, Ruth|date=4 July 2010|access-date=27 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901215246/http://lowculture.co.uk/index.php/2010/07/04/soapstar-superstars-jan-june-2010/#more-6177|archive-date=1 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In July 2010, Aspen received a nomination in the "Best Newcomer" category at the 2010 [[Inside Soap Awards|''Inside Soap'' Awards]] for his portrayal of Duncan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/news/a242852/in-full-inside-soap-awards-2010-nominees.html|title=In Full: ''Inside Soap'' Awards 2010 Nominees|workpublisher=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|first=Wightman|last=Catriona|date=13 July 2010|access-date=31 July 2010}}</ref>

==References==