Aidan Brosnan

**Aidan Brosnan** was the talented yet hapless and homeless boyfriend of Mandy Salter.

In January 1993, Albert Square resident Arthur Fowler spotted Aidan training with the local football team. He saw potential in Aidan so took him on as a lodger at No.45, determined to help him train and become a professional footballer. However, this was not meant to be, as a footballing accident resulted in a compensation payout when Aidan was told the extent of his injuries meant he could never play football in a professional capacity.

Aidan also mostly enjoyed a brief relationship with troublesome teenager Mandy, but when the pair went to a nightclub with friend Ricky Butcher and Aidan took ecstasy, he was rushed to hospital to recover. His parents later learnt of the incident and demanded he returned to Ireland. Mandy followed, but soon returned because of his parents unforgiving attitude. Aidan headed back to Walford to be with Mandy, and upon their return they were homeless. Deciding to squat at Pete Beale's flat whilst Pete was away, Aidan and Mandy were convinced they had found somewhere to stay, although they were swiftly moved on by Grant and Phil Mitchell as Mark had allowed Phil to move into the flat in Pete's absence. They eventually settled down squatting at 5 Albert Square, but were moved in in December 1993 when nasty market inspector Richard Cole bought the property and forced them out.

Aidan eventually became depressed after being outcast from his family for his disappointing way of living. On Christmas Day 1993, he considered suicide, feeling there was nothing left for him anymore. Mandy persuaded him not to kill himself, and he left a few days later to return to Ireland and reconcile with his parents.

## Biography

### 1993: A difficult life in Walford

Aidan was first spotted by local Albert Square resident Arthur Fowler in January 1993 whilst training with Walford Town FC. Arthur saw potential in Aidan and so took him in at 45 Albert Square and continued to train him up. Aidan suffered a few injuries in his time as an apprentice footballer, but when a knee injury stalled his football practice completely and eventually resulted in him having to give up his aspirations of becoming a professional footballer, he was gutted. He was given compensation for his injury, but it did not make him feel any better.

Whilst living on the Square, Aidan caught the attention of troublesome teenager Mandy Salter, who took an instant liking to him. Aidan and Mandy began dating and it was not long before they slept together. After being told he could no longer be a professional footballer, a devastated Aidan was taken on a night out to a club by Mandy and Ricky Butcher. It was there that Aidan took ecstasy, which resulted in him collapsing and being hospitalised. His parents soon discovered what had happened to him and demanded he returned to Ireland to live with them. After he had headed back to Ireland, Mandy realised life just was not the same without Aidan, so she got a ferry over to live with him. She returned a month later though, when Aidan's parents were unforgiving and disapproving of her.

With Mandy back in Albert Square, it was not long before Aidan followed, deciding he wanted to stay with her. However, they were both now homeless and needed somewhere to stay. Aware that Pete Beale's flat was vacant, they decided to squat in there, only to swiftly be removed by Grant and Phil Mitchell when Mark Fowler allowed Phil to stay at Pete's flat in his absence. They then decided to squat at 5 Albert Square and both bagged a job at the local shop on Bridge Street. The job did not last long though, as shopkeeper Mrs. Andreos gave them both up to allow her grandson to start working there instead.

Aidan became depressed towards the end of 1993 as he grew tired of not having any money and nowhere to live. Mandy's brashness did not help the situation either. In the run up to Christmas, Aidan received a letter from his parents telling him not to return to Ireland as he was a disappointment. Then, on Christmas Day 1993, he considered suicide. Mandy managed to find him and stop him going through with his plan in time, but it was not enough to keep him, as a few days later he ultimately decided to return to Ireland and reconcile with his parents, leaving Mandy heartbroken.

## Background information

* Sean Maguire quit the role of Aidan Maguire in mid-1993 to pursue other projects.
* In the original script for Christmas Day 1993, Aidan would succeed in his suicide attempt. However, the heads at the BBC drama office felt that a suicide on a Christmas Day drama was too depressing even for *EastEnders*.

## First and last lines

"Cheers." (First line, to Arthur Fowler)

"Look I'm sorry, I know! The reason I wasn't gonna tell ya was because I knew you'd act like this and you're doing exactly what I thought you'd do. I can't go on living like an animal, I can't! I'm sorry." (Final line, to Mandy Salter)