Danny Pennant is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gary Lucy. The character and casting was announced in August 2012 and Lucy made his first appearance on 27 September 2012. Lucy was happy to be cast in the soap as he had grown up watching it in his household and was happy to portray an LGBTQ+ character. Danny was characterised as a city banker with sex appeal and charisma. Danny was initially introduced in a guest stint as part of a love triangle between established gay characters Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge). In the storyline, Danny and Syed kiss several times, which threatens the latter's engagement to Christian. Lucy could not sleep the night before his first same-sex kiss but he praised Elliot for making him comfortable. Lucy had been warned that he could face backlash from fans of Christian and Syed's pairing, but he believed that the role was too good to turn down. Danny later tries to blackmail Christian and Syed after they get married, but this fails and Danny departs in the episode broadcast on 2 November 2012. Lucy expected to get a lot of online hate for Danny's actions, but this did not happen.
Lucy returned to the role in 2013 as a regular cast member, which he was happy about as he wanted to explore the character further. Danny's return aired on 7 June of that year. Upon his return, Danny begins working for Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and has sex with her. Lucy explained that Danny has a complex sexual preference and hinted that Danny might be using Janine for his own gain. Danny later begins a relationship with Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), but he ends up flirting and kissing Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) as part of his coming out storyline. Danny was later written out of the soap and he made his final appearance as Danny on 14 February 2014; his departure saw Lucy find out that Danny has been messaging Johnny on a dating app and she threatens to expose him for embezzlement if he does not leave. For his role as Danny, Pennant was longlisted for the Villain of the Year at the 2013 British Soap Awards. Some critics were surprised by Danny's romances with Lucy and Janine, whilst some viewers were unhappy with the way that Danny presented bisexuality. Johnny and Danny's same-sex kiss received complaints from some viewers but this was criticised by critics, Lucy and EastEnders writers.
Casting On 3 August 2012, it was announced that Gary Lucy had joined the cast of EastEnders as Danny Pennant in a guest role. The length of Lucy's stint was unknown at the time of the announcement. Lucy had previously appeared in two other soap operas, Hollyoaks and The Bill. Danny was described as being a "trouble-maker" and "mischievous" city banker and it was teased that he would "turn heads" in Walford, where the soap is set. It was teased that Danny "oozes sex appeal" and has a "compelling charisma", with an EastEnders statement revealing, "With his irresistible charm and luring persona, Danny is desired and envied by both men and women - girls want to be seen with him and boys want to be him. He will inevitably create controversial encounters and his provocative and lustful nature is bound to land him in trouble". It was later reported that Danny would be involved in a love triangle with established gay characters. Although Danny was originally reported to be gay, the character was later referred to as bisexual. Lucy believed that it was a "fantastic" opportunity to portray a bisexual character, saying, "It's different for me, a challenge, but one I'm happy to grasp and I'm enjoying". Lucy made his first appearance as Danny on 27 September 2012. Lucy's mother was "thrilled" when he joined EastEnders as she was a fan of all the British soap operas and a massive fan of EastEnders, with Lucy growing up with it in his household. Lucy has revealed that similarly to Danny, he has some financial knowledge. Lucy also called Danny a "great character to play".
Development Relationship with Syed Prior to Danny's first appearance, it was reported that Danny is attracted to men and that he would be involved in a love triangle with established engaged couple Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge). A source had previously revealed, "All the girls think [Danny is] a real ladies' man. But they're soon disappointed when it turns out he's not interested in women. He'll ruffle a few feathers and Christian and Syed's relationship will be tested". An EastEnders spokesperson did not confirm or deny the storyline as did not want to spoil the storyline for viewers, but they confirmed that Danny would cause issues for some established characters. Both Elliot and Clarke were set to depart EastEnders later in 2012, with Lucy hinting that Danny could be involved in their departure, saying, "I don't think it's the real reason that they leave, but I don't think it helps much". Syed and Christian had not any significant storylines since March of that year.
Lucy revealed that he could not sleep the night before he filmed his first kissing scenes with Elliott, explaining, "It was the first time I'd kissed a guy, so it was different. "The night before I just had to tell myself, 'Right, I'm going to work and kiss a bloke' - all night". Lucy found it fortunate that Elliot was very nice and "easy-going" and the pair ran the scene a few times, which Lucy found "absolutely fine" and not awkward, explaining, "You're into the scene and the character... so you just get on with it. But, as I would with a female character, I saved the actual kiss for the last take. You don't want to peak too early!" Lucy believed that there was not much difference between kissing a man or a woman and said that he tried to respect the other person by "not putting your tongue down their throat". Lucy had warned his family and friends about what would happen with Danny and Syed, and he was thankful that his mother liked the plot. Lucy himself had been warned that he could face backlash from "obsessive" fans of Syed and Christian that did not want the couple to split up; the actor was not sure if he could handle the backlash but added that it was "such a good opportunity to come in and ruffle feathers that I just couldn't turn [the role] down". Lucy was unsure if Danny would be a permanent character but enjoyed playing him and enjoyed his stint in the soap, calling it a "good experience and a fantastic challenge".
In the storyline, Danny and his colleagues arrive at Argee Bhajee, where Syed is working, and he is initially unimpressed by their conversations that he overhears Danny having with the other city bankers. However, Danny later speaks to Syed alone after sensing that he is struggling and Syed opens up about his financial issues and other problems. The next day, there is "noticeable chemistry" when Danny and Syed have a business lunch together and Syed is surprised when Danny invites him to have a drink later. Christian is initially unaware that there may be an attraction between the pair. Syed meets and consults Danny several other times and on a night out, the pair have a heart-to-heart and Syed "gets lost in the moment" and kisses Danny. Syed continues to be tempted by Danny. Talking to Soaplife, Elliot explained that Syed is genuinely torn between his feelings between Danny and Christian, explaining, "He doesn't know what he wants. Should he go for a penthouse on the Riviera and a life with Danny? Or should he choose a flat with his husband next to his parents? Christian is his true love, but he thinks the grass might be greener".
The next day at his own stag do, Syed slips out to the Argee Bhajee as he needs to "clear his head" due to his recent problems, and Danny follows him there. Danny makes matters worse when he tries to convince Syed that they should be together, but Syed tells him that he loves Christian and wants a return on his investment, though Danny admits that he has lost the money as the investment fell through. Danny is unable to take Syed's rejection and tries to kiss him just as Syed's father, Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra), walks in. Masood reveals that he witness their kiss from the previous night when Syed tries to make excuses and Danny says that Syed wanted to be caught out, which leads to an angry Syed punching him. Daniel Kilkelly noted how Syed had been "pushed too far" by Danny's "mischievous advances". The following day on the morning of the civil partnership, Christian finds out about Syed and Danny's kiss, and whilst Christian is willing to forgive him, Syed says that he is unsure if they should get married as he is unsure of what he wants; however, the pair end up going with his civil partnership as Syed realises that he truly loves Christian. Speaking on This Morning, Elliot revealed that Danny would return for revenge and cause more drama for Syed, saying, "He returns - he can't be punched in the face in the Argee Bhajee and leave without his dignity! He's got to come back and get some sort of revenge, and he does". Elliot also teased that Danny would be involved a storyline with Christian would potentially result in Christian being arrested by the police. Danny's final episode in his 2012 guest stint aired on 2 November 2012.
Return and romances with women
In March 2013, it was announced that Lucy would be returning as Danny as a regular cast member. Speaking of his return, Lucy said, "I'm extremely excited to be joining such a fantastic show - one which my family are huge fans of and I grew up watching. I enjoyed the little taster last September and am looking forward to exploring my character further, seeing what's in store for him and which characters it will involve". EastEnders executive producer Lorraine Newman was "absolutely delighted" to welcome Lucy back to the soap, adding, "Gary clearly felt at home on the show and his wonderful portrayal of Danny Pennant left us with an intriguing character to explore - it really was only a matter of time before he returned. Danny's stories will see him crossing paths with some of our best loved characters, and I am sure the audience will relish in the fact that the complex nature of this character means that nothing is ever simple". It was reported that Danny's return would see him "lured" back to Walford on business.
Lucy said that he was very happy when he found out that EastEnders wanted him to return. He explained that when he had left at the end of his guest stint a return had been talked about but was not confirmed, which he was really hoping would happen. He believed that there was a lot more that could be explored through Danny's character and was happy to now be able to do so as otherwise it would have been a "shame". He added, "Everything I've done so far has been really interesting, and based on the discussions we've had, I reckon we're in for good stuff". Lucy promised an "eventful" return and teased that viewers would see a softer side to Danny's character and that Danny would have a new love interest. Gary also revealed that he had signed a long-term contract with EastEnders. Lucy also revealed that his seven-year-old daughter liked watching on him EastEnders as she was a fan of the soap and she could not wait to see him back onscreen, which he called a "nice experience for the whole family". He also believed that his daughter secretly wanted him to get her a role in the soap.