Gareth Wiley made his first appearance on 15 April 1999 and last on 31 May 1999. He was portrayed by Gareth Corke.
Storylines[]
Gareth first appeared when Dot Cotton befriended him at the cafe. He was in debt to some loan sharks who were after him. Lilly Mattock initially saw him as bad news saying he could be a mugger for all she knows. Alex Healy says Gareth was thrown out of Bridge House, but did not explain why. Two thugs apprehended Gareth but gave him a day to find £1000. He asked Alex for help but Alex said that he cannot get a grand so quick. In The Queen Vic, Lilly Mattock took pity on him and offered for him to help fix the oven and help move some furniture for the house warming party. She said she would see him alright. A relieved Gareth accepted.
As he helped them fix the oven and get the house ready he dropped hints that he wants paying for his efforts. When Dot and Lilly said they did not need him for anything else, Gareth gets excited, thinking he will get paid a few hundred pounds. They gave him a bag of fruit, beer and cake. Gareth began to panic, worrying this was all he will get from them. He said they said they knew what he needed. Dot gave him a £10 note. Gareth was angry and threw the goodie bag on the floor. Dot asked him to leave at once. Later that night as Lilly went to get some more beer for the party, from the First Til Last, she was confronted by Gareth who demanded her handbag. Lilly put up a fight but Gareth wrestled her then pushed her to the ground. She cried out in pain. Terry Raymond came out of the shop and Gareth ran off into the night. Terry shouted after Gareth and for someone to stop him but Gareth got away. Terry comforted Lilly. Lilly became agoraphobic after her attack.
The police were called and Gareth was later arrested and put on remand. Gareth later tried to kill himself, but was unsuccessful. Lilly visits him in the prison hospital and he shows remorse, but said he had no choice. As Lilly goes to leave, the nurse mentions that Gareth's nan has also arrived to visit him, and Lilly urges Gareth to turn his life around.
List of appearances[]
1999[]