He and most of his family are killed in a massive boat explosion during the wedding reception of his granddaughter, Melanie Farmer. Annie Hart Annie Hart (née Gates) was played by Liz Crowther from the programme's first episode in March 1997 until 1999. She is the wife of Chris Hart and the mother of Duncan, Holly, Melanie and Jamie. During the series, she gives birth to a fifth child, Sam. Annie has an affair with her neighbour, Dave, who also enters a relationship with Annie's elder daughter Holly. On Melanie's wedding night, Annie's affair with Dave is revealed after she discovers Holly's plan to elope with him. Moments later, an explosion on the boat kills Annie, along with the rest of her family. Chris Hart Chris Hart was played by Ian Ashpitel from the programme's first episode in March 1997 until 1999, when he and most of his family are killed in a boat explosion. Chris is depicted as a traditional, working-class man from Newcastle who struggles with some of his children's life choices. Duncan Hart Duncan Hart was played by Rocky Marshall from the programme's first episode in March 1997 until 1998. Duncan is best friends with Tim and Roy, and is aso considered a ladies man. He has relationships with Annie's friend Maria, the Lock barmaid Susie (who later becomes Holly's girlfriend), and Melanie's friend Claire Toomey, the latter resulting in the birth of twins. Duncan moves away soon afterwards. Duncan briefly returns in 2000 for one week, played by Jonathan Wrather, as he struggles to cope with the loss of almost his entire family. Helen Hart Helen Hart (née Cooper) was played by Janice McKenzie. She marries Angus Hart after trying to convert him to Roman Catholicism. Helen dies when she gets a heart attack while being treated for injuries sustained in a car accident minutes after her wedding to Angus. Holly Hart Holly Hart was played by Sandra Huggett from the programme's first episode in March 1997 until 1999. The twin sister of Duncan, Holly is a 24-year-old virgin at the start of the series, and originally thought she was a lesbian. She briefly has a relationship with the bisexual Susie, who had also slept with Duncan. Holly later has an affair with their neighbour Dave Matthews, and was planning to elope with him before she was killed along with the rest of her family in