Elliot Bevan is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Garnon Davies. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 9 January 2007. Elliot was introduced into the series as a new student character. In July 2010, it was announced that Davies had decided to leave the show. Elliot made his final appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 November 2010. Elliot's storylines included a relationship with his friend Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley) and finding his long-lost father.
Casting Elliot was created in 2006 and on the day auditions were held for Elliot, Davies attended another audition for a biscuit advertisement. Davies was unsure if he would receive the role because he presumed Hollyoaks were casting only attractive actors in roles. Davies told Josie Ensor from Western Mail that "the day I went for the audition I also had a casting for a McVitie's biscuits ad, I'm glad I got the one I did, but it was a weird audition. I remember thinking how many other boys there were on the day and how attractive they all were. I just thought they want good-looking guys like them, not me." Carley Stenson who plays Steph Cunningham in the show, praised Davies to producers, which he believed helped him to secure the role.
Elliot was originally intended to be a Scottish character. Davies included a Scottish accent on his CV when he auditioned for the role. When filming commenced, Davies was instructed to use his Welsh accent instead and the character was changed. Davies had to escalate his Welsh accent to impress producers, he explained to Ensor that "they also really liked the Welsh thing – they went mad for it. They thought it just added to his geeky character, I had to ham up my Welshness to fit in with the odd perception of Wales the producers had."
Development Characterisation Elliot is introduced into the series as a new student studying at the Hollyoaks Community College. Davies praised the casting choices for the students. He described them as "five really different characters" with "some great storylines". Elliot is portrayed as a "loner", "geeky" and an "odd" character. Elliot was often portrayed in episodes wearing "geeky glasses" and a woolly hat. Davies had to spend time each morning getting into "geek mode" to play Elliot. A writer from the official Hollyoaks website described Elliot as a "science geek" who struggles to charm potential love interests. They often view Elliot as the "sweet friend" because of "his sweet, caring nature". They added that Elliot "usually sensible" but in some stories struggles to do what is considered "the right thing". Davies told a Josie Ensor (Western Mail) that he realised he was like Elliot. He explained "we are both terrible worriers and I realised we both like our own company, I love having lots of time to myself and Elliot is obviously a bit of a loner."
Davies believed that his fellow Welsh nationals have a "very strange stereotype" portrayed on television. Davies revealed that Hollyoaks writers played on this in Elliot's stories. He noted that when Steph pretended to be Elliot's girlfriend to fool his parents contained such stereotypes. Davies added that Steph was "making Welshcakes and wearing a garland of leeks and singing old Welsh songs."
Elliot's "odd" characteristics made him popular with viewers who empathised with him. Davies revealed that viewers "seem to really connect with Elliot." Davies revealed that he often received fan-mail praising Elliot. Davies began receiving gifts from a female viewer who was unable to separate the actor from his character. Davies revealed he had to report her to producers because she was convinced she was in a relationship with Elliot and they told her to cease further contact.
Hollyoaks often portray issue based storylines. Writers have used Elliot's persona to highlight the issues of bullying. Elliot is often seen being passively bullied by other characters and Elliot usually chooses not to confront the issue. In 2008, Hollyoaks producers chose Davies to join a campaign held by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which was held during Anti-Bullying Week. A Hollyoaks publicist told a What's on TV reporter that "His character is a little bit different and he's always finding himself having to bite his tongue or get back at people. Rather than being bullied by a big group of people, it happens to him continuously. He represents one type of bullying, that's why he was chosen."
Breakdown and identity crisis In April 2008, Davies revealed via a backstage video that his character would change his attitude and attire. Davies added that it would be featured in a new storyline for Elliot. He revealed that the character would ditch his usual geeky attire for a "funky" generic male look, complete with a new haircut styled with hair gel. Davies added that he was still filming scenes in Elliot's usual attire. He described "geeky Elliot" as having geeky jackets and shoes which resembled Cornish pasties. He added that "Elliot has had a bit of a make over because of something that happens to him and he is fed up of being a geek."
The story begins when Elliot begins to suffer mental health issues and has a breakdown. Elliot is transferred to a mental health clinic to have his condition treated. Producers introduced Elliot's mother, Bonnie Bevan (Melanie Walters) into the series in 2007, and she returns once again during Elliot's breakdown. He remains in an emotionally unstable state and Bonnie is forced to admit she lied about his father's disappearance. Bonnie told Elliot that his father was abducted by aliens when he was a child. In reality, his father abandoned Bonnie and Elliot. He was happy to continue believing the story into adulthood. Discovering his mother lied to him has a negative effect on Elliot and he discharges himself from hospital. A reporter from Inside Soap revealed that Elliot vows to change his persona and "smartens up his image and vowed to make those who wronged him pay."
Relationships Writers portrayed Elliot as unlucky-in-love and constantly developing feelings for women who are incompatible with him. First Elliot develops romantic feelings for Jessica Harris (Jennifer Biddall) and later Steph. Writers chose to make them unrequited love stories. Davies told an Inside Soap reporter that "he keeps falling for these beautiful girls, but they don't want to know." In 2008, Writers continued to play on this and created a story in which Elliot falls in love with his friend, Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley). Initially, they continued Elliot's unlucky theme as Sarah fails to notice Elliot's feelings. Elliot becomes determined to start a relationship with her. When Sarah asks for Elliot's help to catch the culprit who injected Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes) with heroin, he uses the opportunity to impress her. Davies explained that Elliot's work pays off as Sarah agrees to join Elliot for a drink but they are interrupted.
Sarah plays the part of a professional model and in one episode, Sarah agrees to sponsor a pool tournament in the Student Union bar. The winner of the tournament receives a date with Sarah. Elliot learns about the prize date and Davies quipped that "he enters and wipes the floor with the other contestants." The date does not meet Elliot's romantic expectations because a reporter arrives to report on their date. Elliot is upset when he discovers Sarah knew about the reporter and it was just a publicity stunt for her modelling career. Davies stated it was originally another example of Elliot chasing women he cannot have. He believed that Elliot and Sarah were well suited because of their different personalities. He added they would "work well" because "he's quite grounding for her and she would bring out his rash side - if he has one, that is!" Writers continued Elliot's plight when they featured Sarah having an affair with Elliot's physics lecturer Roger Kiddle (Quentin Tibble). Sarah views Elliot as a friend and remains unaware that he is "besotted" with her. Sarah has sex with Roger in Elliot's bed and he discovers them together and heartbroken.
Producers decided to fully explore Elliot and Sarah's relationship later that year. A friendship between Elliot and Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby) was developed. She is Sarah's best friend and their bond causes Sarah to become jealous. Davies told Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap that "although Elliot's not aware of it, Sarah gets really jealous of his closeness to her mate - especially when he invites Hannah to attend a comics fair with them. I love the fact he turns into a real ladies man." Elliot is upset when Sarah does not attend the fair. When Elliot and Hannah bump heads, Sarah incorrectly assumes they have kissed. This furthers Sarah's jealousy and she decides to confess her feelings. Elliot and Zak Ramsey (Kent Riley) attend a ping-pong tournament at the Student Union bar. Davies revealed that his character is left in shock when Sarah interrupts the tournament to publicly tells everyone she is in love with Elliot. Davies was nervous about Elliot and Sarah's first kissing scenes. Davies is gay and Batley was his best friend from the Hollyoaks cast. Davies claimed that this made the filming experience "weird" but they eventually got used to portraying their character's romantic trysts.
Elliot and Sarah's relationship was unsuccessful because Elliot realises they are not compatible. Writers continued to use the storyline during Elliot's next relationship plot. In a surprise change, Elliot realises he was actually in love with Hannah. Their closeness enrages Sarah's jealousy further and she plots revenge against her friend. Elliot helps Hannah organise a Halloween ball and Sarah sabotages Hannah's dress. Elliot rushes to Hannah's aid and provides her with a Stormtrooper outfit. Rigby told an Inside Soap reporter that Hannah is "gobsmacked" that her best friend would turn on her over Elliot. She added "at this point, she isn't aware that Elliot likes her and Sarah is jealous. Hannah can't imagine that he'd look twice at her, having dated Sarah." Rigby believed that Hannah was better suited to Elliot than Sarah was. She reasoned that Sarah is "vain" whereas Hannah is "more geeky, like him. I think they make a sweet couple." Elliot eventually tells Hannah he loves her and they share their first kiss. Ribgy stated that Hannah is left "swooning" by Elliot's attentions. Together they win the fancy dress competition at the ball and grow closer, beginning a relationship. Their relationship is short because Hannah struggles to accept Elliot's fixation on building a robot.
Alien story In June 2010, it was announced that Elliot would be featured in a unique alien themed storyline. The story was created by the show's executive producer Paul Marquess. It features a new character, Kevin Smith (Cameron Crighton) befriending Elliot and claiming to be an alien. He tries to convince Elliot he is from Aecyron Proxima Centauri, a red dwarf star in the constellation of Centauri. The storyline was controversial because of its timing and themes. When the story was created, Marquess had been tasked with rejuvenating the show following a period of low ratings. Days prior to the announcement, the show logged its lowest ever ratings. Marquess was certain the storyline would be successful though cast members questioned his choices.