Garry Hobbs

Name: Garry Hobbs
First Appeared: 6th September 2004
Last Appeared: 12th February 2025
Played by: Ricky Groves

Garry Hobbs, Walford’s resident ladies’ man, burst onto the scene with his girlfriend Lynne Slater and her boisterous family. Despite thinking he was quite the charmer, Garry’s roving eye often got him into trouble. But love, or something like it, prevailed when he and Lynne got engaged and eventually tied the knot in December 2001, despite Beppe di Marco’s dramatic attempt to stop the wedding. Beppe’s declaration of love for Lynne fell flat as she walked down the aisle to marry Garry.

Garry settled into life in Walford, finding work as a mechanic and moving in with the Slaters. However, things were far from smooth sailing when Lynne had an affair with her ex-fiancé, Jason James. The couple somehow weathered the storm and decided to try for a baby. In a twist of fate, Garry’s drunken one-night stand with Laura Beale in November 2002 led to a Christmas bombshell when Laura revealed she was expecting his child. Ian Beale, assuming infidelity, threw Laura out, prompting Lynne to take her in, much to Garry’s dismay. The truth about Bobby Beale’s paternity came out, and despite the initial shock, Lynne forgave Garry. However, their relationship couldn’t withstand the strain, and they separated in July 2003.

Garry and Laura’s attempt at playing house was short-lived. Naming their son Bobby Beale after Garry’s football hero, they faced another shocker when it was revealed that Ian was Bobby’s biological father, not Garry. Laura’s death in April 2004 brought even more heartache, as Garry and Lynne struggled with their relationship. Lynne’s pregnancy ended in tragedy with the stillbirth of their daughter, Vivienne, leading to Lynne’s departure from Walford. Garry, utterly devastated, attempted suicide but was saved by Minty Peterson, who became his roommate and best mate, despite some quirky disagreements and even Minty’s brief engagement to Garry’s mother, Hazel.

Garry’s love life continued to be a rollercoaster when he fell for Dawn Swann. Despite his efforts, Dawn mostly used Garry’s kindness to her advantage. After the death of Dawn’s fiancé, Jase Dyer, Garry mistook her vulnerability for love and proposed, only to be rejected. His car was later found at a known suicide spot, scaring everyone into thinking he had taken his own life. Dawn, realizing her true feelings, declared her love for Garry in the Queen Vic, just in time for him to overhear. Their romance blossomed, and they got engaged, but drama wasn’t far behind. Dawn’s affair with Garry’s boss, Phil Mitchell, came to light on their wedding day, leading Garry to punch Phil and decide to leave Walford.

Garry’s grand exit was nothing short of cinematic. He boarded the boat he and Minty had been keeping, setting sail to leave Walford behind. Dawn, realizing she couldn’t live without him, ran alongside the canal, declaring her love. Garry docked the boat, and with Dawn and her daughter Summer on board, they sailed away together, leaving the chaos of Albert Square behind.

Turns out, the boat didn’t get far, and Dawn found she preferred dry land – and Garry moved in with Minty and his missus – proving that dysfunctional families really come in all shapes and sizes!