| Roger Huntington | |||||||||||
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| Brookside character | |||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Rob Spendlove | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1982–1983 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 2 November 1982 | ||||||||||
| Last appearance | 25 October 1983 | ||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
| Created by | Phil Redmond | ||||||||||
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Roger Huntington is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Rob Spendlove. One of the show's original characters, Roger debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Roger is characterised as an ambitious solicitor who thinks highly of himself. He is a fitness enthusiast with an interest in DIY home improvements. These traits make him a comical figure and source of laughter for the show's other characters. His main storylines are centric to his marriage to Heather Haversham (Amanda Burton). Together they set up a home on Brookside Close and maintain careers to ascend the British social class hierarchy system. Writers portrayed an unhappy marriage between the two, depicting them constantly arguing.
Writers expanded Roger's family with the introduction of his parents, Sydney Huntington (Bert Gaunt) and Margaret Huntington (Muriel Lawford). Their interference regarding Roger and Heather having children causes problems in their marriage. In another storyline, Roger is run over and hospitalised with broken ribs. Writers created an infidelity story for Roger and he begins an affair with his client, Diane McAllistair (Rosy Clayton). Spendlove decided to leave Brookside at the end of his first contract. The show's creator and executive producer Phil Redmond was surprised by Spendlove's decision after he had previously wanted to renew his contract. Spendlove did not enjoy playing Roger or the attention that came with being involved in a soap opera. Redmond was forced to rewrite scripts to accommodate Spendlove's departure, which included Roger leaving the series before Spendlove left in case scenes needed reshooting. Roger's departure storyline featured Heather discovering his affair with Diane. She throws him out of their home and end their relationship. Roger made his final appearance on 25 October 1983.