Leo Taylor

Name: Leo Taylor
First Appeared: 29th October 2004
Last Appeared: 12th August 2005
Played by: Philip Dowling

Leo made his first appearance in October 2004, showing up to visit his girlfriend Demi Miller and their new-born daughter Aleesha. The young couple’s relationship was anything but simple, with their history marred by family interference. In May 2005, the Millers returned to their old block of flats while a rat problem in the square was being dealt with. Demi wasn’t thrilled about the move, anticipating a run-in with Leo. Sure enough, the first people they encountered were Leo’s father Ray and his wife Trisha, who greeted them with a frosty reception.

While taking Aleesha for a walk, Demi was mocked by some old friends of her brother Darren, calling her “Vicky Pollard.” On her way back, she ran into Leo and tried to escape in a lift, but he stopped her. The two realized their breakup had been orchestrated by their meddling parents and decided to reunite. Demi invited Leo to Aleesha’s christening, and despite initial reluctance, he attended with Trisha. However, the service was dramatically interrupted by Ray, who dragged his family away, leaving Demi heartbroken. That evening, Demi and Leo reconnected from their balconies, with Leo proposing they run away together. Demi agreed, but Leo abandoned her when she insisted on bringing Aleesha along. Demi returned to Walford devastated, but hope was rekindled when she met Leo later, and he promised to keep in touch.

Determined to be together, Leo, Demi, and Aleesha eventually ran away. To support them, Leo began dealing drugs, a decision that led to tragic consequences. Demi, seeking to numb her pain, took some of Leo’s drugs and passed out. Believing she had died, a distraught Leo took a heroin overdose and later died in the hospital.