Daniel Howells

Daniel Howells is the son of Mad Mary. He appeared from April 2021. He left in July 2022, when the character was killed off..

## Storylines

In April 2021, Mary reveals to Ed, Sue and Fiona that she had a son she gave up for adoption, and she wants to track him down. They manage to track him down quickly, he is named Daniel Howells and is working on a farm in South Wales. He meets with his mother two days later. Daniel then bumps into Leanne Barker, who is revealed to be his ex-girlfriend, and her son, Tom's father. In May 2021, Mary organises a get together with her family in Clive's cafe, to get to know Daniel. Jason decides to play a trick on Daniel, unscrewing the top of a salt cellar. When he returns, it tips it's contents onto his meal. Daniel attacks Jason, punching him in the face, and is dragged back by Ed, Sue, Mary and Jack. In July 2021, Daniel racially abuses Fred Cole. In September 2021, Daniel tries to find his father. He finds him, a man named Alan Jones who is dying from cancer. Daniel goes to see him, and Alan is shocked by Daniel, who he didn't know existed. Alan tells him the truth, about his relationship with 14 year old Mary, and he dies of a heart attack. Daniel leaves him, shocked at the truth. In October 2021, Daniel tells Mary that he knows about his father, and asks why she never told him the truth. She tells him that she wanted to protect him, but Daniel is upset, and moves out. In May 2022, Daniel returns, and is shown to be plotting something. He is later revealed to be planting a bomb at The Cloud nightclub. Days later, it is Jade Evans' birthday. and she goes to celebrate at The Cloud with her friends. Daniel arranges to detonate the bomb, while at his house. At 12pm, he detonates the bomb, however it doesn't go off, however Daniel doesn't know this. Later, Daniel sees Jade and her friends walking home, and realises that the explosive didn't go off. A week later, Daniel attends Kathy Tomlinson & Gary Payne's engagement party at Ed & Sue's shop. Gary overhears Daniel manipulating Leanne, and tells him to stop. Later, Daniel tampers with the gas oven. Ed smells gas, and everyone leaves, except Gary, who decides to look at the oven. Daniel throws a match into the building, making it explode, killing Gary. In June 2022, Daniel harrasses and attacks Johnny James about his appearance. This upsets Johnny so much that he refuses to leave his house. Johnny's father Rick later finds out, and punches Daniel. In July 2022, Daniel gets into an argument with Shive Evans. Daniel vows revenge on him. He sabotages the track on Shive's wedding day, causing a train crash. Jason is horrified to find out that Daniel caused it, especially as he admits his other crimes. The two fight, and Jason hits Daniel with a crowbar, killing him.

## Background Info

In February 2021, it was announced that Welsh actor Gareth Pierce would be joining N&F as a character in connection to the recent Tomlinson family. In March 2021, it was confirmed that he was the long lost son of Mad Mary (Patti Clare). He will appear from April 2021. NJE said that the character would have a "big impact" on several characters. It was also revealed that he would be involved in a racism storyline. In March 2022, NJE said that Daniel would be leaving in 2022, but would also be involved in a huge storyline airing in Summer 2022. Scenes showing in May 2022 where Daniel planted a bomb at The Cloud caused heavy dislike for the character. Viewers hated him even more when he caused a gas explosion which killed Gary Payne (Steve Edge) & left Ed (Ted Robbins) & Sue Tomlinson (Alison Steadman) homeless. In July 2022, Daniel was killed off.