Geoff Barnes

] and although they planned to marry, Geoff realized that Michelle did not love him and “nobly” finished with her.

Geoff remained a regular character for a year, and was eventually written out in April 1995, following his split from Michelle. The character returned for brief stints in September and October 1995, to aid the departure of Susan Tully, who left "EastEnders" after nearly eleven years playing Michelle.

Storylines

Yorkshire born Geoff was Michelle Fowler's personal tutor at her University. When Michelle began performing badly during her final year exams, Geoff helped her get back on track. They formed a friendship, which soon developed into a romance.

Geoff was nearly 30 years older than Michelle. The age difference was initially a concern for Geoff, but Michelle was not perturbed. She continued seeing him despite objections from her father, Arthur, who grew increasingly antagonized by Geoff’s presence. Arthur felt that his paternal role towards Michelle and her daughter Vicki was being superseded by Geoff, and he resented him because of this. [cite episode |title=EastEnders |series= EastEnders|serieslink=EastEnders |network=BBC |station=BBC1|airdate=1994-12-13]

Geoff was divorced from his first wife and had three grown children, including a daughter named Felicity. Felicity turned out to be an obnoxious snob and there was a clear class divide between her and Michelle. Felicity frequently goaded Michelle about her past and for dating a middle-aged man. There was an underlying hostility every time they met. [cite episode |title=EastEnders |series= EastEnders|serieslink=EastEnders |network=BBC |station=BBC1|airdate=1994-07-05]

Later in the year Geoff supported Pat Butcher through a troublesome period, and subsequently became the object of her affections. Out of sympathy, Geoff took an interest in Pat's affairs, and even persuaded her to take an evening course in business studies. Pat soon began to think that Geoff was interested in her sexually, but Geoff seemed oblivious to her advances. Gossip began to spread about the nature of their relationship and at this time Geoff decided to let Pat down gently. However, he was beaten to it by Pat who sensed the on-coming rejection and announced − to Geoff's surprise − that they should no longer see each other socially. [cite episode |title=EastEnders |series= EastEnders|serieslink=EastEnders |network=BBC |station=BBC1|airdate=1994-10-13]

In 1995, Geoff was offered a new job in Scotland. He asked Michelle to marry him, hoping that she and Vicki would join him there. Michelle was hesitant and Arthur reacted with fury − denouncing their relationship as “unnatural”. However, Arthur’s extreme opposition only encouraged Michelle to go against his wishes. Although Michelle claimed to love Geoff, she worried that their relationship lacked passion. After weeks of contemplation, she was finally persuaded to accept by her arch nemesis Grant Mitchell, who goaded her about her boring life in Walford. Geoff − who had already prepared himself for rejection − was stunned and thrilled when she agreed to marry him.

In April 1995, Geoff and Michelle traveled to Scotland to view their new home. Michelle did not seem particularly happy, which Geoff picked upon. Michelle's mother, Pauline, unwittingly made the situation worse when she praised Geoff for being safe and secure, unlike all of Michelle's other boyfriends. He began to realize that Michelle found him dull and boring. After a bout of heavy contemplation, he told Michelle that getting married would be a mistake, because she did not love him enough. Michelle argued that affection and respect were more important than passionate love, but Geoff refused to allow her to waste her life on a loveless marriage. They parted company and Geoff remained in Scotland.

He returned to Walford unexpectedly in September, to see if Michelle was interested in taking a job as a research assistant in America with one of his colleagues. Geoff admitted that he still loved Michelle. They spent the night together and talked about reconciling. Michelle remained unsure and told him that she needed time to think it over. She eventually opted against reconciliation with Geoff and took the job in America instead. Geoff left Walford with a broken heart in October 1995; Michelle left Walford shortly after, having fallen pregnant with Grant Mitchell’s child.

References