Dickens Hill
Dickens Hill is a fictional prison in the
Storyline development
Two of the most successful and popular characters in the history of EastEnders have been pub landlords
The programme makers did not want to turn Den into a criminal, however, so they decided that he had to be put in prison for a crime that could be justified to the viewing public — otherwise there would be no sympathy for him.[2] The answer lay in a storyline that was running with another character — the rape of Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) by James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde), which happens in July 1988. After simultaneously getting in too deep with a criminal organisation (The Firm), Den torches Willmott-Brown's wine bar, The Dagmar, as revenge for Willmott-Brown's rape of Kathy, wife of his friend Pete (Peter Dean), and is then forced to take the blame for the deed by “The Firm”. Den is taken away to a “safe house” in Manchester to avoid police arrest, but when it becomes clear that “The Firm” are planning to kill him, Den goes "on the run". He is eventually forced to turn himself in to the police in order to escape “The Firm’s” heavies. Den is put on remand at Dickens Hill prison in September 1988. For the next five months he is seen — in the company of a small group of new characters also confined in the prison — on a regular basis in EastEnders. Also in prison at the time is regular EastEnders character Nick Cotton (played by John Altman).
This material was shot in less than a month at
A new batch of characters was needed for the prison storyline. Den is joined by various inmates, each with their own back-story as to why they are in prison, including some who are connected to Den and his ongoing troubles with “The Firm”. Among the prisoners is "Barnsey" (played by actor
It was while Nick is in prison that he admits to Den that he had killed
As well as the inmates, prison officers also become regulars for the duration of the storyline, such as officers Crane (Raymond Trickett), McLeish (
The Dickens Hill storyline continues for the first two months of 1989, eventually climaxing in February. One by one the storylines of the specially brought in characters are concluded, until the date of Den's trial approaches. Den eventually bows out on 23 February 1989 in one of the programme's most famous episodes, which attracted over 20 million viewers on its first airing. After being abducted by the firm in an ambush on the way to his trial, Den escapes from their custody. He plans to flee the country after a rendezvous by a canal (in
In protest, Tony Holland and Julia Smith had their names taken off the episode's credits. Den's exit ended up being the creators' final contribution to the show.[2] Grantham has since commented, “I was annoyed when I saw the death scene, and so was Julia Smith who’d directed it personally. Because I’d made it clear there would be no going back, I filmed Den collapsing from the bullet and tumbling into the canal. But all the viewers had was the sound of a shot and a splash; it was a deliberate tease. Julia was furious.”[3]
Three weeks after Den is shot, police find spots of blood on the towpath along the section of canal where Den had been shot, but a search of the canal fails to uncover his body, although the police remain convinced that Den is dead and inform his daughter Sharon that this is a likely scenario.
A year later, Sharon finds a distinctive ring that had belonged to him for sale on a market stall in Albert Square. She speaks to a young boy who had given it to the market trader, and the boy says he'd fished it out of the canal. The police search the canal again and found a body, which is identified as Den's.
However, there had been much speculation as to whether Den really had been killed — particularly after the first search of the canal had failed to uncover a body. Eagle-eyed viewers would also have noticed that he was not wearing the ring retrieved from the canal before he was shot. The scene had been set for Den to eventually return to EastEnders, and as early as 1991 the show's producers offered Leslie Grantham the chance to return, but he rejected their offer. The return of Den was on the show's agenda for almost every year afterwards, but for the next decade Grantham was unwilling to return to the series — particularly at the time when none of Den's family were in it — and felt that a comeback at that stage would have merely been a ratings-booster. However, Grantham accepted an offer to return to the series in 2003 after 14 years away, only to be killed off again in February 2005.[7]
It is eventually revealed that the body found in the canal in 1990 was that of Mr Vinnicombe, who had been killed by
Prisoners
Den Watts
After
In Dickens Hill, Den is introduced to numerous prisoners; his cellmate Barnsey (John Hallam) becomes his closest ally. The police are desperate for Den to provide them information on The Firm, so they can close down their illegal operations. Den remains true to his word and refuses to “grass”; however the police are managing to get incriminating information on The Firm from somewhere. Assuming that Den is responsible, The Firm arrange for their contacts inside Dickens Hill to teach Den a lesson. The “number 1” of the cell block, Johnny Harris (Michael O'Hagan), orders his accomplice, Queenie (John Labanowski), to give Den a beating. Den is eventually cornered by the thugs and left bruised and battered with an injured arm. The Firm eventually discover that Den is innocent after all, and after Johnny Harris's departure, Den is instated as number 1 of the prison wing.
With The Firm under pressure from a police investigation, and various key players in the operation being arrested, they once again decide that Den is a liability. Den has taken out an "insurance policy" with his solicitor — papers the prove The Firm's guilt in various crimes— but this is eventually found by The Firm and destroyed, and they are then free to eliminate Den without repercussions. While Den is being accompanied by the police on the way to his trial in February 1989, The Firm apprehend the vehicle and abduct Den. Although Den manages to escape captivity with the help of Brad Williams, it is only a brief reprieve. Before fleeing the country Den arranges for a rendezvous at a canal with
Nick Cotton
Nick is put on remand at Dickens Hill for drug dealing. He is given a cell with
Den and all the other prisoners frequently find Nick's presence an irritant. After being beaten by Barnsey, Nick applies for a cell swap, but he immediately regrets it when he is moved in with the even more abusive Queenie, who beats Nick several times, and then uses him as his skivvy; although Nick finds someone else to bully, the emotionally unstable Trevor Kellow (Peter Doran), who ends up committing suicide. Nick is denied bail, and is told by the magistrate that his trial is to be held in June 1989. His mother, Dot Cotton (June Brown), visits him occasionally, bringing him a regular supply of cigarettes. Following his trial, Nick is released and ordered to serve 240 hours of Community Service.
Johnny Harris
Johnny Harris | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Michael O'Hagan |
Duration | 1987-1989, 1991 |
First appearance | 18 June 1987 |
Last appearance | 25 June 1991 |
Introduced by | Julia Smith (1987, 1988) Michael Ferguson (1991) |
Johnny Harris (initially credited as Man, later Harris), played by Michael O'Hagan, is a criminal associate of
In June 1988, Johnny reveals to Den that his latest scam has been uncovered by the police and it is likely that he will serve time in prison. Johnny is sent to Dickens Hill prison on remand, where he meets up with Den in September 1988, after he is imprisoned for the arson of the Dagmar winebar.
Johnny had been promoted to "number 1" of the prison wing (head prisoner), meaning he is in charge of issuing supplies to the other inmates and given a cell on his own. Johnny is also on the payroll of The Firm, and he is instructed to keep a close eye on Den in order to stop him stepping out of line. When The Firm suspect Den of being a "grass", they instruct Johnny to organise a beating for him as a reminder to keep quiet. Johnny does so with the help of his ally Queenie (John Labanowski). Although Johnny orders Den's beating, he takes no pleasure in seeing his former friend hurt.
When The Firm decide that Den is not the "grass" after all, Johnny tries to make peace with him. Before Johnny leaves Dickens Hill to attend his trial, he arranges for Den to take over his position of "number 1". Johnny also informs Den that he suspects Queenie of being the police informant, which Den later proves. Two years after Den's supposed death at the hands of the Firm, Johnny appears in Walford after being asked by Den's adoptive daughter,
Barnsey Barnes
Barnsey Barnes | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | John Hallam |
Duration | 1988–1990 |
First appearance | 13 September 1988 |
Last appearance | 1 May 1990 |
Introduced by | Julia Smith (1988) Michael Ferguson (1990) |
"Barnsey" Barnes, played by John Hallam, is the initial cellmate of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) at Dickens Hill prison. He is serving time on remand for GBH and he and Den soon become friends.
When Den is branded a "grass", all the prisoners turn against him except Barnesy, who serves as his protector while others, such as Queenie (John Labanowski), attempt to attack him. In order to get to Den the other prisoners need to get rid of Barnsey, so they report him to the prison guards for a crime he did not commit. Barnsey is sent to solitary confinement for the night and the following day, Den is given a severe beating.
When Den is promoted to the "number 1" of the prison wing (head prisoner), he is given a cell on his own. Barnsey's new cellmate turns out to be Nick Cotton (John Altman), who he instantly dislikes. After Barnsey attacks his new cellmate, Nick applies for a cell move, though he instantly regrets it, as he is moved in with Queenie.
Barnsey stands trial in January 1989, and leaves Dickens Hill to await his fate. Den is deeply sorry to see him go. Den is shot in February 1989 and presumed dead. A body is wrongly identified as Den's the following year, and Barnes attends the funeral in May 1990 and encounters Nick, who is also in attendance.
Queenie Price
Queenie Price | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | John Labanowski |
Duration | 1988–1989 |
First appearance | 15 September 1988 |
Last appearance | 14 February 1989 |
Michael "Queenie" Price, played by
It is revealed that Queenie is on The Firm's payroll along with another prisoner, Johnny Harris (Michael O'Hagan). When The Firm believe that Den is trying to frame them, Queenie and Harris seek Den out, intending to give him a severe beating. Den eludes this for a while, but Queenie and his gang eventually corner him, leaving him bruised and battered with a fractured arm.
After The Firm discover Den is not the informant, he begins to suspect that it is Queenie. Den concocts a plan to catch him out. He gives him the false name of a drug dealer and as he predicts, it isn't long before the police are questioning Den about him, confirming that Queenie is the "grass". Den stuns Queenie with his discovery, but instead of turning him in to The Firm he uses him to provide information on them.
Trevor Kellow
Trevor Kellow | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Peter Doran |
Duration | 1988–1989 |
First appearance | 20 September 1988 |
Last appearance | 14 February 1989 |
Trevor Kellow, played by Peter Doran, is an inmate at Dickens Hill prison. Originally from the north of England, Trevor has been imprisoned on remand for the mugging of an old lady. It is the second time he has been imprisoned for this offence, though he claims to be innocent this time.
Because the other prisoners, Barnsey (John Hallam) in particular, feel that Trevor's crime is despicable, they immediately take against him. They begin to bully him mercilessly. Trevor looks to Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) for support, and although he seems sympathetic, he can do little to stop the bullying. He manages to prevent a few attacks, but the abuse of Trevor still continues behind his back.
In 1989 Trevor's friend contacts him with new evidence that proves he is not guilty of the mugging. However, the following month his friend disappears with the evidence, meaning he has no chance of avoiding a prison sentence. His solicitor instructs him to plead guilty to the crime to ensure a shorter sentence, but Trevor feels he cannot cope with imprisonment for a crime he didn't commit. His mental health swiftly deteriorates and he becomes depressed, morose and severely paranoid.
Shortly after, Trevor is found dead in his cell, having hanged himself on the morning of his trial. Den is disturbed to discover that Trevor
Victor Hampton
Victor Hampton | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Gillie Hampton |
Victor "Vic" Hampton, played by
When the prison officers find out about Vic's concerns he is quarantined in isolation, as they fear he could spread diseases to the other prisoners. Vic is tested and is told by the prison chaplain that he is
Victor is the first character in EastEnders to be diagnosed as HIV positive, paving the way for the controversial virus to feature in a storyline surrounding a much higher profile character - Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) - a couple of years later.
Others
Ms. Martin
Ms. Martin | |
---|---|
EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Karen Archer |
First appearance | 13 September 1988 |
Last appearance | 21 February 1989 |
Ms. Martin, played by Karen Archer, is The Firm's solicitor who is employed to defend Den Watts' (Leslie Grantham) who is incarcerated in Dicken's Hill on remand for Arson.
Gillie Hampton
Gillie Hampton | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Clare James | ||||
Duration | 1988–1989 | ||||
First appearance | 6 October 1988 | ||||
Last appearance | 5 January 1989 | ||||
|
Gillie Hampton, played by Clare James, is the messy-haired wife of prisoner Victor (Michael Brogan), who is in prison on remand for theft. The couple have a young son. Gillie comes to Dickens Hill prison to visit Vic. Their marriage has come under strain due to Vic's adulteries. Gillie had been visited by one of Vic's partners and she begins to fear that Vic has unwittingly passed on an STD to her. She had blood tests to put her mind at rest and pleads with Vic to do the same.
Vic eventually does and it turned out he is HIV positive. He is deeply sorry that he has passed the disease on to his innocent wife, but to his relief she informs him that she has tested negative. She is supportive and promises to stay with him no matter what.
See also
References
- ^ Raphael, Amy (17 June 2006). "EastEnders was just the start". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
- ^ ISBN 0-563-37057-2.
- ^ ISBN 9780563362920.
- ^ Bell, Matthew (20 November 2006). "Tyrannical squire in 'The Mallens'". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ "John Altman on his EastEnders alter ego". Walford Gazette. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ "Xmas 88 - Den in prison", BBC. URL last accessed on 2006-09-26.
- ^ "Sixteen million watch Den's return", BBC. URL last accessed on 2006-09-26.