Duncan Button: Difference between revisions

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'''Duncan Button''' is a [[fictional character]] from the British [[Channel 4]] [[soap opera]] ''[[Hollyoaks]]'', played by [[Dean Aspen]]. He debuted on-screen duringin the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited withas Button. In May 2011, it was announced that Aspen had quit his role and Duncan departed the series on 11 November 2011. Aspen reprised his role as Duncan for the [[Hollyoaks Later (series 6)|sixth series]] of ''[[Hollyoaks Later]]'' in October 2013.

==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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=16 July 2009|accessdate=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!|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=25 October 2009|accessdate=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]])|accessdate=26 July 2010|date=1 November 2009}}</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]])|accessdate=26 July 2010|date=8 November 2009}}</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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=15 January 2010|accessdate=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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=11 February 2010|accessdate=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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=9 February 2010|accessdate=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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=11 May 2009|accessdate=26 July 2010}}</ref> However, it was revealed that the character of Duncan would remain in the series after the Ashworth’sAshworth'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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|date=20 May 2011|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|accessdate=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"/>

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==Character development==

In an interview with entertainment website ''[[Digital Spy]]'' speaking of Duncan’sDuncan'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|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|author=Green, Kris|date=10 December 2009|accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref>

==Storylines==

Duncan first appears in the village looking for the Dog in the Pond pub. Duncan arrives at the pub and is served by Neville who doesn’t recognise him. Suzanne walks in and recognises him as their fifteen-year-old godson and leaves Neville furious. Duncan moves in with the Ashworth’sAshworths and meets [[Anita Roy]] ([[Saira Choudhry]]) and flirts with her, but she rejects his advances. Ricky is later annoyed when Duncan joins him on his paper-round. However, they become friends.

Duncan asks [[Michaela McQueen]] ([[Hollie-Jay Bowes]]) for a massage at Evissa, but she realises he wants more than an average massage. [[Jacqui McQueen]] ([[Claire Cooper]]) is sickened by his suggestion and waxes his chest painfully for revenge. Duncan is sick over [[Theresa McQueen]] ([[Jorgie Porter]]) at the students Christmas party after drinking too much. To cheer Ricky up, Duncan persuades him to have a bogus raffle to help pay for their entry fee for a party. Duncan dresses up as Father Christmas and the tickets for the raffle sell fast making them a lot of money. Later, the scam is revealed by their teacher [[Des Townsend]] ([[Kris Deedigan]]) and [[Myra McQueen]] ([[Nicole Barber-Lane]]) demands the Harrods hamper they promised. Duncan decides to make his own Christmas goodwill and steals presents from under the McQueen’sMcQueens' and Ashworth’sAshworths' tree. Ricky finds the presents and stolen gifts from the Secret Santa in the shack and they open them together. Duncan is infatuated with Theresa after landing in the village, and tries everything he can but nothing he can do can impress her. He gets Darren's advice and dresses like a pimp, and while this somehow works, as well as pretending to be gay, Theresa is not interested. Duncan wins a competition where he gets to have the 16th birthday party of his dreams paid for by a reality TV company. He invites Theresa, who is invited and excited as the prospect of being filmed. While Theresa is impressed, Duncan's hopes are shattered when rap artist [[Chipmunk (rapper)|Chipmunk]] performs, and Theresa only has eyes for him. Neville finds the presents and sends Duncan home early to his parents. Duncan steals Suzanne’sSuzanne's underwear, but he is caught and lies to her saying he might be gay.

Duncan notices Ricky’sRicky's strange behaviour and follows him to his house. Duncan hides as Ricky goes in. heHe tries to look inside and hears raised voices and sees a man lying on the floor. Duncan shouts and Ricky lets him in where he accuses Ricky of being a drug dealer however. Ricky snaps and tells Duncan the man is his father [[Martin Campbell (Hollyoaks)|Martin]] (Grant Masters). Duncan is pushed out the door by Ricky after Martin toldtells him to get rid of him. Ricky later finds Duncan and explains that his father has multiple sclerosis and if he tells anyone he will be put into care. Duncan quizzes Ricky on the condition and he is horrified to learn that nobody is helping Ricky. Duncan gives Ricky a pair of trainers and promises him that he will stand by him and not reveal his secret, and a delighted Ricky thanks him.

Duncan gets a call from a television producer about his sixteenth birthday party being featured on a reality television show. Duncan asks Ricky to help him, but he goes home to look after Martin. Duncan asks Theresa to help him so she agrees and Steve ([[Anthony Crank]]) the producer tells them that their double act will be great for television. Duncan is excited as his birthday is filmed for the show and rapper [[Chipmunk (rapper)|Chipmunk]] is revealed as his special guest. Duncan is annoyed when Ricky tells him that Theresa is only using him to get on TV, and he realises that his party is boring without his best friend.

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Duncan's sister [[Ruby Button|Ruby]] arrives in the village to get away from their reality TV obsessed parents. Duncan joins a boy band, Guy Candy, with:Ricky, [[Bart McQueen]] (Johnny Clarke), Seth Costello (Miles Higson)and [[Taylor Sharpe]] (Shaun Blackstock) who is later replaced with [[Gaz Bennett]]([[Joel Goonan]]). The band is managed by [[Lee Hunter (Hollyoaks)|Lee Hunter]] ([[Alex Carter (British actor)|Alex Carter]])and struggle to achieve success.

Duncan and Ricky spend five days at fat camp. Duncan was hesitant at first but meets a girl, [[Kelly Saunders]] (Danielle Malone), who he really likes. They struggle to get together as Duncan can't understand what a girl like her would see in him but they eventually end up together and lose their virginity to each other. Kelly decides to end their relationship after he shows Ricky a naked picture of her. Realising he needs to grow up, he decides to leave to stay with the Ashworth'sAshworths in Spain.

==Reception==