Gilly Roach

Infobox soap character
series =Hollyoaks



name=Gilly Roach
portrayer=Anthony Quinlan
first=October 2005
born=1987
Occupation= Shop Manager

Gilbert "Gilly" Roach is a fictional character on the long-running British Channel 4 television soap opera "Hollyoaks".

Description

Rhys Ashworth's best friend from school and right hand man, Gilly is prone to getting himself into endless predicaments and scrapes. Gilly is most definitely not the sharpest tool in the box and can come off as a bit clueless at times, but he usually does the right thing. Despite his endless blunders, often his innocent charm and naive ebullience allow him to get away without too much of the blame. His disastrous love life seems to send him from one heartbreak to the next, and shows no sign of stopping. Gilly supports Man City.

Gilly had a close relationship with the Ashworth family and might even have considered them his own family. Gilly was very upset when Rhys and Neville argued and Neville hit Rhys after everyone found out Rhys had slept with Kathy Barnes. When Suzanne mistook Rhys' escort service card as being Neville's, Gilly seemed distraught that Suzanne would think Neville might be having an affair. When Neville's shop was being robbed he was almost beaten up by the robber. At Hannah's 18th birthday party he gave her an expensive necklace which was a better gift than what Hannah's then boyfriend, John Paul McQueen gave her. After Josh was dumped by his girlfriend Amy Barnes, Gilly (along with Rhys) gave him advice on how to handle his heartbreak. Time and again Gilly was there for the family when they needed him.

Character history

Arrival

Like the Ashworth's Gilly was originally from Manchester but when they moved to Hollyoaks he decided to move in with them. He was a huge supporter of Manchester City much to the annoyance of Rhys who supported Manchester United. Gilly often worked temp jobs to support himself during his stay with the Ashworths. Whenever someone told Gilly that he needed to do something with his life, he always told them that he was planning to go traveling around the world, despite not actually doing anything to get the money for his travels because of his reluctance to get a proper job because it would interfere with his plans.

Relationship with Jessica

After sneaking into a Halloween party at HCC, Gilly snogged Jessica Harris and assumed the role of her wannabe boyfriend. This led to him pretending to be a philosophy student just to get close to her and found a rival in Mark, Jessica's real boyfriend. The two battled for affections but things ended when Jessica couldn't decide between them.

Relationship with Sarah

When Neville bought Drive N' Buy Gilly asked to if he could work there along with Rhy's ex-girlfriend Sarah Barnes. He then started to like Sarah and they went on a couple of dates but Sarah was never all that interested. Any chance of a relationship ended that after he revealed that Rhys slept with Sarah's mum (he said this in the middle of Sarah's mum's birthday party). Due to Rhys' jealousy and anger over Gilly dating his ex-girlfriend, and Gilly's anger at the way Rhys had behaved, they were estranged for several weeks, with Rhys kicking Gilly out of the house. Gilly lived at the dorm with Zak, Jess, Kris, Will, and Zoe, but when Gilly defended Zak after Zak had been accused of stealing some of Zoe's stuff, the others kicked Gilly out. Gilly ran into Rhys and they patched up their friendship.

Marking time

In late 2006, When Gilly found out Rhys was an escort, he became envious and wanted to try the job himself, as he assumed escorting meant sex. Rhys told him escorting could also mean dinners, conversations, nothing sexual. One day when Rhys was too tired to answer his beeper, Gilly did, pretending to be Rhys. He went out to dinner with an attractive older woman who was so insistent on having sex with him that she tried to accost him in a parked car, right in front of a constabulary! Gilly fled the car.

Gilly fell for a Danish woman named Tania, and when she had to return to Copenhagen, he decided to go with her. Needing money for the trip, Gilly asked Rhys to get him another escorting job. Rhys did, and then, since he did not want Gilly to leave and was angry Gilly had someone while he was alone, told Tania that Gilly was off with a woman at the Dog in the Pond. The woman Gilly was with was none other than Mrs. Ashworth, who had found the escort card, assumed Neville was having an affair, and called the service to confront the woman she thought he was sleeping with. A confused Gilly thought she was lonely and wanted to have sex with him! Rhys soon showed up to see Gilly and was surprised to see his mother. He told his mother that the card belonged to him. Gilly and Mrs. Ashworth were both very confused and embarrassed. Unfortunately for Gilly, he then got a text from Tania telling him she had already left for Copenhagen without him because she could not trust him.

For some quick cash, Gilly and Zak agreed to participate in a male strip revue at The Loft. Rhys secretly taped them practicing and had a good laugh about them being gay lovers, but Gilly and Zak got him back when they told Warren that Rhys and Russ Owen would be joining them. As Rhys thought the whole idea was pathetic, he backed out, saying he didn't need a strip show to get a woman. Calvin Valentine replaced him at the last minute, and the routine was a success. Rhys had spent the evening trying to hit on a pretty young woman, but at the end of the night, she showed more interest in Gilly, much to Rhys' chagrin. Several weeks later, Rhys had a one-night stand with a very possessive, awkward girl named Molly. Gilly took a shine to her and agreed to go out with her, only to be put off when she told him they would be married within six months. He was tempted by her offer of a season ticket to football (he had lost his in a poker game with Warren Fox) but Rhys convinced him to cut ties with Molly before it was too late.

In spring 2007 supported surrogate brother Josh after he hit Mike Barnes over the head with a brick in self-defense, almost killing him and landing him in hospital.

Conflict with Hannah

During summer 2007, Hannah found friendship in Melissa Hurst, Hannah and Melissa were mean to Gilly e.g. arguing over his friendship with the family, the fact he was at their home all the time. Hannah even hit Gilly. After having a talk, they agreed to be friends. Only later to fall out after Gilly accused Hannah of taking drugs as she was acting extremely out of character. Gilly also noticed that Hannah wasn't eating and Hannah soon realized this and threatened to tell her mother that Gilly tried to touch her if he dared to tell anyone. With Gilly, Rhys and Suzanne all growing suspicious, Hannah followed through with her threat and told her mum and Rhys that Gilly tried to touch her. Gilly tried to make Hannah tell the truth, but she refused to take back the lie. Rhys also believed Hannah, going so far as to punch Gilly. Upset, Gilly left the Ashworth house. Still worried about Hannah, Gilly tried desperately to convince Suzanne and Rhys that Hannah was lying. Already suspicious about Hannah's story, Suzanne choose to believe him. Together Gilly, Suzanne and Rhys searched Hannah's room and discovered the truth about Hannah's bulimia. Hannah was sectioned, and when she returned several months later, she apologized to Gilly for her accusations against him.

Beth

Rhys was worried about Gilly getting too close to Beth (as Rhys still had feelings for her). Rhys was worried when they went on a double date with Hannah and Danny Valentine. They explained to Rhys that they were just there to accompany Hannah but Rhys noticed that Gilly had aftershave on. Gilly did end up trying to kiss Beth but she rebuffed him. Later on at the Ashworths' home Gilly got something on his top whilst with Beth. He took his top off before messing around with Beth. Rhys heard Beth screaming after he came home and came into the living room (where Gilly and Beth were) and hit Gilly. Gilly and Rhys have made up ever since before Rhys admitted to his mate that it would be better for Beth to go out with him than another guy. On 5th December Gilly and Beth are together at Drive'n'Buy after a power cut. After they share a dance they kiss. They both decide to take their relationship slowly.

Lynch Mob

Gilly initially took driving lessons, but nothing came of it. He then decided to become a lifeguard, reminding Rhys that he had once saved him from drowning and then taught him how to swim. When Gilly went to help as a lifeguard, he soon began to have suspicions about Simon Crosby.

After a few months, Gilly's suspicions of Simon Crosby reared their ugly head once again. But this time he had new girlfriend Beth to open up to. Beth told him he could not make such a serious accusation without concrete proof. And soon dragged Rhys into his investigation when he suggests they go and look for the proof Gilly needed to put his mind at ease. Together they break into Simon's house after acquiring his address. While searching, Rhys came across a laptop containing pictures of kids, including one of Tom Cunningham. Gilly had already told Max of his suspicions, but when presented with what he saw as proof, Max hit Simon and was arrested for assault. There was still no strong evidence against Simon, and ex-cop Jack told Gilly that by breaking into Simon's home, he had ruined the only available evidence. Gilly and Jake Dean ran into Simon at the Dog and began taunting him. Simon shoved Gilly against a table and ran out, but Gilly and Jake followed, with a large crowd forming behind them as they repeatedly accused Simon of being a paedophile. They followed him to his home and threw bottles and bricks at the doors and windows. By this time, Max, OB, and Simon's ex-wife Gemma showed up to fight Jake, Gilly and the mob off with proof of Simon's innocence, but Simon had already attempted suicide.

Gilly felt horrible about his actions, but when ridiculed by Darren in the Dog, said he would do it all over again. Beth was disgusted by what she called Gilly's "redneck" behavior, enough to dump him, but soon took him back.

Engagement and heartbreak

Around Christmas 2007, Gilly was asked to go backpacking in Thailand. He wasn't sure about leaving Beth, but she convinced him to take this opportunity. That night, she had sex with Rhys, and the guilt and shame caused her to decide to ask Gilly if she could go with him (her mother paid her way). Gilly gave her several chances to change her mind, but she insisted she wanted to go. When time came for the taxi to arrive, she was missing, but she showed up right before Gilly left.

In February 2008, Gilly and Beth returned from Thailand to see Rhys kissing Mercedes McQueen, Gilly seemed excited for Rhys, while Beth seemed hurt. Gilly proposed to Beth, who said yes. They planned to get married and move away. Gilly had never been happier, not knowing Beth was sleeping with Rhys on the side.

In April 2008, Michaela McQueen convinced Gilly to follow Beth and Rhys home. He found them making love, and he began beating Rhys. The rest of the Ashworths soon arrived home to learn the horrible truth. In spite of his revulsion, Gilly still loved Beth, and asked her for another chance. Beth told him she cared for him, but loved Rhys more. She left with Rhys, and a hurt Gilly called the police to report them for incest. The next day, Beth and Rhys attempted to flee town, getting into a car accident which cost Beth her life. Gilly was devastated.

Management material

After several years of working at Drive'n'Buy, Neville offered to make Gilly a manager, although he had to wear a suit and tie.

Rhys returned home after a month away. Gilly was initially upset to see him again, but decided to try to repair what remained of their friendship.

External links

* [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/H/hollyoaks/cast/boys/gillyroach/index.html Gilly Roach] on the [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/H/hollyoaks/ Hollyoaks website]