Jimmy Doyle (Fair City character)

Infobox soap character
name = Jimmy Doyle
series =Fair City
colour=#99CCCC;
first = 1989
spouse = Lorraine Doyle
Robin McKenna (2005-)
parents= Bela Doyle (father)
Rita Doyle (mother)
siblings = Darren Doyle (brother)
Helen Doyle (sister)
Yvonne Gleeson (sister)
Suzanne Halpin (sister)
Louise Doyle (sister)
nieces/nephews = Rachel Brennan (niece)
Stephen Doyle (nephew)
residence = Australia
portrayer = David Mitchell

James "Jimmy" Doyle was a fictional character in the RTÉ soap opera "Fair City". The character was portrayed by David Mitchell, although two actors previously played him. He is the eldest son of Rita and Bela Doyle.

Fictional character biography

When Jimmy's parents separated, he lived with his mother Rita and his five siblings Helen, Yvonne, Suzanne, Darren and Louise. Jimmy emigrated to England to avail of a scholarship with an English soccer club, but he soon returned to Carrigstown and began his career as a mechanic in "Molloy's Garage". Harry Molloy had a good friendship with the apprentice and introduced Jimmy to his children, Wayne and Lorraine. Jimmy began dating Lorraine and the pair soon became engaged, but Jimmy found organising the wedding and working with his future father-in-law very stressful. He called off the engagement and ended the relationship.

A heartbroken Lorraine had a breakdown and attempted to commit suicide. She was taken to hospital where she met Dr. Jack Shanahan. She began dating the doctor, but she went through another ordeal when he raped her. Jimmy helped her to imprison Jack. Their old feelings for each other returned and the couple got married, but their happiness was short-lived when Lorraine was killed by a hurricane on their honeymoon in Florida. Jimmy was devastated with his young wife's death and spent a year coming to terms with his loss. Jimmy sold the house he had shared briefly with Lorraine to Damien Halpin. Jimmy moved into an apartment with Floyd Phelan.

In 2001, Jimmy began dating again and had a brief relationship with Orla Kirwan. When Robin McKenna began working as a mechanic in "Molloy's Garage", she moved in with Jimmy and Floyd. Jimmy helped Robin to get through her disastrous relationships, but he secretly had feelings for her and finally declared his love in 2005. Robin admitted that she loved him too and the couple got married. Unfortunately, Robin developed an eating disorder when she wanted to fit into her wedding dress. It took her months to admit she had a problem and seek counselling. They became landlords of the apartment.

In 2006, Jimmy was saddened by the suicide of his friend Harry. Dolores was planning to sell her share in the business and he became worried about this, but his friend Paul Brennan bought the shares and "Molloy's Garage" was renamed "D&B Motors". Jimmy later revealed to Robin that he wanted to have children, but she wasn't sure. This caused the couple to argue and it seemed that their marriage was finished, but they managed to reconcile a few months later. Jimmy has accepted that Robin will become pregnant when she is ready. In March 2007, Jimmy helped a pregnant Ali Foley get to the hospital. She gave birth to a baby boy and named him Lorcan in memory of her deceased husband. Jimmy has taken on the role of being a mentor to Ali, demonstrating his parenting skills to her and asking her to call him if she ever feels alone, much to Robin's annoyance.

In June 2007, Jimmy discovered that Paul was having an affair with Fiona Piggott. When Fiona murdered her husband James, she fled the country and left Paul to pick up the pieces. Jimmy berated Paul for tying all their business deals to Piggotts, but things worked out. James' children, Alice and John, agreed to continue the business agreement. This spared Jimmy having to consider selling "D&B Motors" and he now has a good partnership with Paul once again. Jimmy and Ali have got closer and closer over the last few months and even slept together once but Jimmy broke Ali's heart saying they could not be together as he loves his wife Robin.

By early 2008, Jimmy and Ali got closer and Jimmy realised that he was in love with Robin. At his sister, Suzanne's wedding to Damian Halpin, he and Robin have a huge row and Jimmy storms off. Robin later sees a picture of Ali and Jimmy together. She confides in Paul and later confronts Jimmy. Jimmy admits the affair and packs his backs to live with Ali. Jimmy left Carrigstown on 7 May 2008 to live in Australia after all the drama between Ali and Robin.

External links

* [http://www.rte.ie/tv/faircity/jimmy.html Profile of Jimmy Doyle at www.rte.ie]