her desire to have children after Pete beats her and renders her sterile. She deceives her new husband Dudley Starr into believing she was pregnant, when she is hiding a cushion under her dress. She kidnaps a baby from a hospital and tries to pass it off as her own. The baby's real parents track her down and the baby is returned to them; they do not press charges. Pete plots to get her out of Charnham. He pays to unofficially adopt a baby, which he gives to Maria on the condition that she leaves town and never returns. She leaves with the baby and is not seen in Charnham again. Clive Starr Clive Starr was played by Huw Bevan. Clive is introduced in January 1999 as a university student pursuing a Media Studies degree and sharing a flat with Declan and Gabby. He falls in love with Declan, who is straight. After that, he has a succession of short-lived gay relationships and grows increasingly depressed over his physical appearance, and attempts suicide. At one point, he finds himself in a love triangle with Adam and Gabby. After graduating from university he works as a radio presenter. He later works as a bar manager for Pete at the Lock, and follows Pete to his new pub The Black Swan before moving away in 2001. Dudley Starr Dudley Starr was played by David Verrey. Dudley first arrives in Charnham as the new chef at The Lock. He initially claimed to be a Frenchman named Serge Pompidour, but was rumbled as a phoney by Jack Gates. His brother Clive moves to Charnham as well. Dudley marries Maria but leaves her when he learns she kidnapped a baby, and is not seen in Charnham again. Sean Steel Sean Steel was played by Sam Barriscale from 2003 until the character's death on New Year's Day 2005 after being stabbed. T Olly Taylor Olly is the brother of Sam Taylor, and has a brief fling with Lucy. He fights against Jake for Lucy, culminating in him pushing Jake off some scaffolding placed in the street. Sam Taylor Sam Taylor was played by Leon Ockenden between May and December 2004. Claire Toomey Claire Callan (née Toomey) was played by Tina Hall. She appeared from episode one in 1997 until 2003. Claire is best friends with Melanie, and later has an affair with Melanie's brother Duncan and