| Alan Jackson | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EastEnders character | |||||||||||
| File:Alan-Jackson EE.jpg | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Howard Antony | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1993–97, 2010 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 16 November 1993 | ||||||||||
| Classification | Returning; regular | ||||||||||
| Created by | Tony McHale | ||||||||||
| Introduced by | Leonard Lewis (1993) Bryan Kirkwood (2010) | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Alan Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Howard Antony. He originally appeared between 1993 and 1997, and is to return briefly on 12 October 2010.[1][2]
Kind-hearted Alan gives the Jackson family some much needed stability. He loves and cares for Carol's children as if they are his own. Their relationship does not go so smoothly however. Carol's stubborn and nagging nature eventually drives him into the arms of another woman.
Creation
edit150px|left|thumb|Alan as he appeared in 1997. 1994 was a historic year for EastEnders, as in April, a third weekly episode was introduced.[3] Due to the programme's increased frequency, a number of new characters were introduced to the regular cast in the latter part of 1993 and early 1994.[3] Among them were the Jackson family: mother Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), her four children, Bianca (Patsy Palmer), Robbie (Dean Gaffney), Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), and Billie (Devon Anderson), as well as Carol's partner Alan Jackson (Howard Antony). Though Carol and Alan were not initially married in the serial, and though Alan was only the biological father of Billie, the whole family took on Alan's surname. The family was created by writer Tony McHale.[4] None of the actors cast as the Jackson family were matched for appearance or screen compatibility. Cassidy has commented, "it was all decided without doing that. I don't think it particularly mattered that none of us Jackson kids looked like each other because all our characters had different dads!"[4]
Various members of the family began to appear sporadically from November 1993 onwards, but in episodes that aired early in 1994, the Jacksons moved from Walford Towers, a block of flats, to the soap's focal setting of Albert Square. Their slow introduction was a deliberate attempt by the programme makers to introduce the whole family over a long period.[3] The Jacksons have been described by EastEnders scriptwriter Colin Brake as a "classic problem family".[3]
Storylines
editBackstory
editAlan was 20, single and a plumber when he met Carol Branning (Lindsey Coulson). He came to her council flat to unblock her sink and they started dating each other soon after. Carol had gone through a life time of struggle and heart-ache. In the past, the fathers of her three children, Bianca (Patsy Palmer), Robbie (Dean Gaffney) and Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), had all deserted her, but Alan was different and he stuck around, giving the family real stability. Soon he had added to her collection of children, fathering Billie (Devon Anderson) in 1988. Even though Alan and Carol weren't married initially, the whole family took Alan's surname. They were lated joined by Alan's grandmother Blossom (Mona Hammond).
1993—
editWhen Alan arrives in Walford with his family, he is unemployed and although he does odd jobs for his neighbours, his inability to bring in a regular wage is a huge source of conflict for him and Carol. He later secures a temporary job working on Mark Fowler's (Todd Carty) fruit and veg stall. However, Alan is living off government benefits, and any form of undeclared income he receives would be viewed as benefit fraud. Knowing this, market inspector Richard Cole (Ian Reddington) informs the DSS about Alan's employment status and they subsequently cancel his benefits. Alan gets a job fixing cars for David Wicks (Michael French). However he is fired following a series of thefts, which eventually turn out to be Robbie. Alan is furious to be branded a thief and his angst towards David increases soon after when he sees Carol spending time with him. Alan accuses Carol of having an affair, but unbeknown to him, David is actually Bianca's the biological father. Upon discovering this, Alan becomes extremely jealous and annoyed with Carol for keeping it from him and he also finds Bianca and David's father/daughter relationship hard to take.
In 1996, Carol and Alan attend the wedding of Carol's sister, April Branning (Debbie Arnold). Carol's father Jim Branning (John Bardon) and her brother, Derek (Terence Beesley) are opposed to their interracial relationship, and make constant attempts to provoke Alan into violence. Despite Carol's family's prejudices, Alan decides to marry Carol there and then, and they marry in place of April after she is jilted. After the ceremony, Alan is attacked by a drunken Derek, who has driven to Walford to cause trouble. David intervenes and beats up Derek, and Alan and Carol are grateful. However, cracks begin to show in their relationship. Money is a concern for Carol and her continuous nagging about Alan's inability to provide drives him into the arms of another woman. Alan catches the attention of singer Frankie Pierre (Syan Blake), who does everything she can to seduce him. Despite Alan's initial protests, he soon succumbs and they have sex. Alan regrets it and tries to call off the affair, but Frankie is hell-bent on splitting up his marriage, so she threatens to inform Carol unless he leaves her. When this does not work, Frankie plants lingerie in Alan's clothes and leaves her personal affects around his house. Carol inevitably discovers them and realises what has been occurring. She is furious and after an argument, Alan leaves and moves in with Frankie.
The separation leaves Carol to reignite a romance with David, which infuriates Alan. Frankie grows bored of Alan and acts dismissive towards him. It is revealed that she has a history of chasing unobtainable men, but always grows bored once she had succeeded in getting them. Dumped by both Carol and Frankie, Alan becomes severely depressed and his attempts at a reconciliation with his wife are constantly rejected. Things alter after Carol's son Robbie is beaten up by Ted Hills (Brian Croucher). Alan provides Carol with much-needed support and defends her family, which eventually leads to a reconciliation. In 1997, Billie is the only witness to an armed robbery at a building society. He is kidnapped in order to prevent him from testifying in court, leaving both Alan and Carol frantic with worry. Billie is returned safely, but Alan and the rest of the Jackson family (bar Bianca and Robbie) are placed in a witness protection programme and move away from Walford for their safety.
Off screen, Alan suffers a nervous breakdown, which leads to him and Carol splitting up again. Carol gets engaged to a new man, Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass), but this ends after Dan has an affair with Bianca. Alan and Carol later reunite and live in Balham with Billie and Blossom. In February 2010, when Bianca's daughter Tiffany (Maisie Smith) visits Carol in Balham, it seems that Carol and Alan have split once again. When Sonia returns to Walford, it is suggested that Alan has a new partner.
References
edit- ^ Love, Ryan (18 September 2010). "Exclusive: Devon Anderson exits 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Soaps - Spoiler - Carol blames Lauren for Billie's death - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-37057-2.
- ^ a b Larry Jaffee (2009). Albert Square & Me: The Actors of Eastenders. iUniverse.com. ISBN 9781440159879.