| Simon Howe | |||||||
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| Brookside character | |||||||
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| Portrayed by | Lee Hartney | ||||||
| Duration | 1993–1994 | ||||||
| First appearance | 13 October 1993 | ||||||
| Last appearance | 28 October 1994 | ||||||
| Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||
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Simon Howe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Lee Hartney. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 13 October 1993. Hartney received the role the day after he had auditioned for it. Simon is introduced as a new petrol pump attendant working in the local petrol station. Writers first portrayed him as being mild-mannered before revealing his true manipulative persona.
Simon is characterised as a maniacal cult leader who tries to convert people into following his religion. Writers used the character to manipulate Katie Rogers (Diane Burke) and Terry Sullivan (Brian Regan) into joining his cult. He also takes Barry Grant (Paul Usher) with a gun and intentionally causes an explosion in his home. Critics of the genre branded the cult storyline controversial and unrealistic. Gareth McLean writing for The Guardian branded the character "the least charismatic charismatic ever". Other journalists compared Simon's story to the real life case of David Koresh and the Waco siege. Hartney praised the show's scriptwriters for portraying an issue lead storyline that happens in reality. Hartney received a mixed reaction from the public which ranged from hate mail and verbal abuse to fans requesting to join Simon's cult. The character was written out the following year in a suicide storyline, making his final appearance on 28 October 1994.