Terry Raymond

Name: Terry Raymond
First Appeared: 21st October 1996
Last Appeared: 8th March 2002
Played by: Gavin Richards

Terry Raymond was no stranger to drama when he landed in Albert Square in October 1996. Once a successful estate agent, his world came crashing down when the housing market collapsed in the 1980s, leading to heavy drinking and abusive behavior. His marriage to Tiffany and Simon’s mother, Louise, crumbled, and she eventually left him and their children. Before arriving in Walford, Terry wrote to his kids, revealing his struggle with alcohol had led to pancreatitis and a hospital stay. But Tiffany, bearing the scars of his past abuse, including pushing her down the stairs while pregnant, was far from welcoming.

On his arrival, Terry found his daughter pregnant and his son openly gay, sparking furious rows. Tiffany’s boyfriend, Grant Mitchell, eventually frightened him away. Undeterred, Terry returned in August 1997, coinciding with Tiffany and Grant’s wedding blessing. After getting drunk and causing a scene, he was sent packing again. Later re-admitted to the hospital, Terry’s failing health softened Tiffany’s resolve, leading her and Simon to oversee his recovery. Terry moved to Walford, starting a romance with Irene Hills, which complicated things for Simon, who was dating Irene’s son, Tony.

Terry and Irene planned to marry in 1998, but the ceremony was spectacularly interrupted by his still-estranged wife, Louise, who declared they were still legally married. Despite the setback, Terry and Irene enjoyed their honeymoon, albeit not as husband and wife. The following year, Terry finally divorced Louise and married Irene, briefly finding happiness. They ran the local grocery store, First Till Last, but Terry’s gambling habits strained their finances. Irene eventually grew tired of his ways, and an affair with Troy Harvey sealed their marriage’s fate. A trip to Spain ended with Irene choosing to leave Terry, who returned to Walford heartbroken.

Terry found solace in an unexpected friendship with Janine Butcher, who moved in with him after her father, Frank, left. Viewing Janine as a surrogate daughter, Terry was oblivious to her manipulations. His relationship with tenant Margaret Walker was another chapter of intrigue, as Janine did everything to sabotage it. Misunderstandings fuelled by Janine’s schemes led Terry to end things with Margaret, though she was innocent all along. When Janine attempted to seduce him, Terry saw through her ploy, ultimately throwing her out.

By 2002, tired of the constant turmoil, Terry decided to leave Walford. He joined his wife Irene, still traveling around Portugal, marking the end of his eventful stint in Albert Square.