Gavin Sullivan

Having faked her own death, Gavin's wife, Kathy Sullivan (Gillian Taylforth), makes plans to escape Gavin and asks Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) for money on several occasions, saying she is willing to go to prison so she can eventually reunite with her family in Walford. Kathy and Phil arrange to meet at St Pancras International, but she cannot meet him because her son, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), is there. As she leaves, Gavin surprises her, revealing he knows what she has planned.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 21/08/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0670l9b |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Toby Frow; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=21 August 2015 |access-date=22 August 2015 |archive-date=17 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817233010/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0670l9b |url-status=live }} After Kathy makes attempts to contact someone at The Queen Victoria public house, Gavin arrives on Albert Square.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 10/09/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06b80b8 |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Nic Phillips; Writer: Gillian Richmond |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=10 September 2015 |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903025724/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06b80b8 |url-status=live }} He texts Phil, pretending to be Kathy, and meets him, revealing that after St Pancras, he and Kathy planned to fly themselves to Spain but Kathy escaped by crashing the car. Phil discovers that Kathy is staying in a guest house in Kent, but Gavin follows Phil there and finds Kathy first. Phil realises they have gone to a local airfield, so he stops them from leaving and convinces Kathy to go back with him, leaving Gavin behind.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 11/09/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06b811n |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Nic Phillips; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=11 September 2015}} When Phil meets Kathy at her hotel room, she agrees with him that there should be no more contact between them. After Phil leaves, it is revealed that Gavin has manipulated her into saying this.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 18/09/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06chnll |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Jennie Darnell; Writer: Christopher Reason |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=18 September 2015 |access-date=2 October 2015 |archive-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226090909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06chnll |url-status=live }} Phil goes missing after Gavin and two men confront him at his garage.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 02/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06fv4pj |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Howlett; Writer: Julia Honour |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=2 October 2015}}{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 05/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06h1d7q |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Michael Owen Morris; Writer: Wendy Granditer |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=5 October 2015}} After Kathy's sons, Ian and Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), discover she is alive, Gavin finds Kathy in Walford. He tells Kathy to stick to their plan and Phil will stay alive.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 09/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06h1jqj |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Michael Owen Morris; Writer: Lynne Dallow |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=9 October 2015 |access-date=28 October 2015 |archive-date=3 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003110441/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06h1jqj |url-status=live }} When Kathy reunites with Ben, Kathy says that she needs all of Phil's money or Gavin will kill him,{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 12/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j5rgw |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Greening; Writer: Carey Andrews |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=12 October 2015 |access-date=28 October 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010021549/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j5rgw |url-status=live }} and Gavin later tells Kathy he will harm Ian and Ben if she does not get the money that night.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 20/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kjyhp |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: David Moor; Writer: Jaden Clark |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=20 October 2015 |access-date=28 October 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023013018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06kjyhp |url-status=live }} Kathy decides to go to the police to confess to fraud and to report Phil's kidnapping. When Ian finds out, he calls Gavin, saying he knows what Gavin has done, but Gavin now knows that Kathy has not stuck to their plan. Kathy realises Gavin probably has Phil at his sister's house, but when they get there, Gavin and Phil are gone,{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 23/10/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06khrls |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: David Moor; Writer: Colin Wyatt |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=23 October 2015}} but Phil's blood is found.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 26/10/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mz8l6 |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Steve Finn; Writer: Jeff Povey |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 26 October 2015 |access-date= 28 October 2015 |archive-date= 1 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160501084000/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mz8l6 |url-status= live }} Phil, a recovering alcoholic, gets back home but is covered in cuts and bruises and has broken bones, and reveals to Ben that Gavin deliberately got him drinking alcohol again.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 27/10/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mzd0m |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Steve Finn; Writer: Rob Gittins |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 27 October 2015 |access-date= 28 October 2015 |archive-date= 27 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151027213525/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mzd0m |url-status= live }}

Phil has a panic button installed and Kathy helps the police trace Gavin via his mobile phone. Ben tells Gavin to leave or be arrested, as the police have arrived. Ben tells his family that Gavin has left, but Gavin returns, where Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) apparently recognises him and appears fearful.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 29/10/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mzlp5 |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Toby Frow; Writer: Julia Honour |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 29 October 2015 |access-date= 6 November 2015 |archive-date= 31 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151031015403/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mzlp5 |url-status= live }} On Halloween, Kathy is on edge, and she fears Gavin has gone into Ian's house. Ben and Kathy then see Gavin, but are unsure it was him. They go to Phil's house, where Gavin locks Phil and Dennis Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau) in a bedroom. When Kathy attempts to call the police, Gavin appears. He threatens to light fireworks inside the house, hoping to kill himself, Kathy, Ben, Phil and Dennis. Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), Phil's wife and Dennis's mother, arrives and Gavin reveals he knows that Sharon is the adoptive daughter of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and Angie Watts (Anita Dobson). Gavin surprises Kathy by saying that Walford was once his home and he had a child. Sharon realises Gavin could be her birth father, and he confirms it when he says, "Hello, princess", which Den used to say to her.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 30/10/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mzqmp |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Toby Frow; Writer: Leo Richardson |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=30 October 2015}} Kathy pleads with Gavin not to light the fireworks and promises to leave with him again. Phil escapes, knocks Gavin unconscious and ties him up. While Sharon talks to Kathy, she realises that Margaret Midhurst (Jan Harvey), the solicitor who arranged her adoption and who she has been visiting to track her father, is Gavin's sister. When Gavin wakes up, Sharon asks about her adoption; Gavin says he had a fling with Carol Hanley (Sheila White), who had a breakdown after Sharon's birth, and Gavin was not paternal but Den was, so he traded Sharon for part in a bank raid that Den was working on. Phil then tells Sharon that Gavin previously had him locked in a room with no windows and just a bottle of whisky, meaning Phil turned to alcohol. Sharon decides to call the police so presses Phil's panic button. Sharon then confronts Gavin, who tells her that he asked Den to greet Sharon for him occasionally by calling her "princess". When the police arrive, Gavin has gone.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 02/11/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06nt6r7 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Toby Frow; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=2 November 2015}} Sharon reveals she took money from Phil's safe to let Gavin go, and when she meets Margaret again, she confirms she helped Gavin fake his death and gives Sharon his phone number. Sharon calls and leaves a message, and later receives a text message, saying they will see each other soon.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 05/11/2015 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ntbnh |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Steve Finn; Writer: Anya Reiss |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 5 November 2015 |access-date= 6 November 2015 |archive-date= 6 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151106031630/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ntbnh |url-status= live }}

On Christmas Day, Gavin texts Sharon and later arrives at her house, saying he has missed her. Sharon hurries him out and he leaves her a present.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 25/12/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tvwtd |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Richard Lynn; Writer: James Payne |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=25 December 2015 |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=27 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227081939/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tvwtd |url-status=live }} He also visits her in hospital when Dennis is involved in a car accident.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 28/12/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tr817 |series=EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits=Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Richard Lynn; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=28 December 2015 |access-date=7 July 2016 |archive-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803001018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tr817 |url-status=live }} He invites her to Hong Kong but she declines, promising to still keep in touch and thanking him for the present.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 29/12/2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tr857 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Toby Frow; Writer: Carey Andrews |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=29 December 2015}} When Sharon tells Gavin that she is ending her marriage to Phil, he visits her, offering his support. She rejects him and the gift he has left for Dennis, saying she does not want liars in her life, but he insists he has never lied to her and reminds her of his offer to join him overseas, insisting that he will have a steady job and that he wants a second chance of having a family.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 15/01/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wgsxv |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director:Michael Owen Morris; Writer: Rob Gittins |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 15 January 2016 |access-date= 17 January 2016 |archive-date= 13 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160713214001/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wgsxv |url-status= live }} Sharon and Dennis later join Gavin.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 18/01/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06yjds1 |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Karl Neilson; Writer: Natalie Mitchell |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 18 January 2016 |access-date= 16 February 2016 |archive-date= 23 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160723034943/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06yjds1 |url-status= live }}

The following month, Kathy is shocked when Gavin appears in her home.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 15/02/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071fkbr |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Greening; Writer: Anya Reiss |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 15 February 2016 |access-date= 16 February 2016 |archive-date= 9 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160209062033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071fkbr |url-status= live }} She threatens to call the police, but he asks her to pass on a message to Sharon, revealing that he has been on holiday with her and Dennis, but she left. Dot Branning (June Brown) then arrives, and eventually she remembers Gavin from his childhood in Walford, saying that he was a troublemaker who stole money from Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin), and warns Kathy off getting involved. Gavin simply says he wants the opportunity to be a good father and grandfather, and cries when he remembers that he was unwanted by his own mother. After Dot leaves, Kathy realises that Gavin does not like being on his own and promises to pass on the message. Before he leaves, he kisses Kathy as a thank you, saying he misses her.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 16/02/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071flkx |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Greening; Writer: Daran Little |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 16 February 2016 |access-date= 17 February 2016 |archive-date= 12 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160212071729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071flkx |url-status= live }} Kathy speaks to Sharon, who reveals that she left the holiday because Gavin hit Dennis. Sharon meets Gavin who says he did it out of love but Sharon wants nothing to do with him. Later, Sharon discovers that Gavin has collected Dennis from school{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 18/02/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071fn14 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Greening; Writer: Sarah Hooper |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 18 February 2016}} and given him a mobile phone. She meets Gavin and offers him £100,000 to leave forever, revealing that she is selling her half of her bar to fund this. Gavin asks her for another chance but she rejects him and he leaves.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 19/02/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071fxwq |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Greening; Writer: Mark Stevenson |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 19 February 2016}} After Sharon tells Gavin it will take some weeks to get the money, Gavin sees Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) and her family and concludes that they must be wealthy. Gavin blackmails Claudette, threatening to reveal a secret from her past.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 23/02/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0725pvc |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Lee Salisbury; Writer: Peter Mattessi |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 23 February 2016 |access-date= 24 February 2016 |archive-date= 19 February 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160219105909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0725pvc |url-status= live }}{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 01/03/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b072n3gj |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Kate Saxon; Writer: Matt Evans |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 1 March 2016}} Claudette attempts to pay Gavin with sex, but afterwards he says it is not a payment and asks how Claudette killed her husband, Henry. When he demands more money, she strikes him over the head with a candelabra.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 07/03/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b073c07b |series= EastEnders |series-link= EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Writer: Jonny O'Neill |network= BBC |station= BBC One |airdate= 7 March 2016 |access-date= 9 March 2016 |archive-date= 1 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160301035251/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b073c07b |url-status= live }} She believes he is dead and takes him to the basement, and when her son Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) arrives, she lies about the circumstances, but when Gavin escapes, her lies are revealed to Vincent.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 08/03/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b073c5mz |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 8 March 2016}} Gavin returns to Claudette's home and meets Vincent, who says Claudette has left the country. Gavin says he will track her down, so Vincent offers to pay off the money Gavin claims she owes him. Sharon then meets Gavin and gives him the money from her sale of her bar (to Vincent), and he asks for a reconciliation but she rejects him. He meets Margaret, saying she will get her share of the money, and states that Sharon is now dead to him as he has another plan, which Margaret calls "insane".{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 14/03/2016|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0746trv |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Writer: Jaden Clark |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 14 March 2016}}

Two months later, it is revealed that Dennis and Gavin are still in contact.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 26/05/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07d30t5 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Richard Lynn; Writer: Carey Andrews |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 26 May 2016}} After another six weeks, Margaret visits Sharon, saying that Gavin is acting strangely, but Sharon dismisses this and sends Margaret away.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 04/07/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07k0t0z |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Howlett; Writer: Christopher Reason |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 4 July 2016}} Later, Gavin tells Kathy he has Dennis so she reluctantly gets in his car and is seen leaving by Buster Briggs (Karl Howman). Sharon sees that Dennis has been in contact with Gavin and Buster tells Sharon what he saw so, fearing for Kathy's safety, they get Gavin's address from Dennis. Kathy and Gavin arrive at a large country house that he bought with Sharon's money, and he locks them in, saying they can live there together. Kathy realises that Dennis is not there, and then Margaret arrives. Gavin locks Kathy in a room as Margaret and Gavin argue, and Margaret knocks Gavin unconscious and lets Kathy out of the room. Gavin regains consciousness and the women try to escape. As Sharon and Buster arrive, a woman falls onto the windscreen of the car and lies dead on the floor.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 05/07/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07k3q5p |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Howlett; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 5 July 2016}} Sharon realises it is Margaret, and she and Buster break into the house where Buster finds Kathy while Sharon confronts Gavin, who is packing a bag with cash. Sharon locks the door and Gavin insists that Margaret's death was an accident. Sharon asks him why he stayed in contact with Dennis when she paid him to stay away, so he says he would never harm his grandson. She tells him to give himself up to the police and if he does so, she will visit him in prison with Dennis and they can be a family when he gets released. Police and paramedics then arrive, as Sharon called them and Gavin accuses her of stalling until they arrived, but she insists she called them for Margaret's sake. Gavin says he will give himself up to the police so Sharon unlocks the bedroom door, but he then tries to escape. He sees his only way out is via the balcony but he is too scared of harming himself to jump. Sharon joins him on the balcony and he asks Sharon to tell the police that Margaret fell. A police officer then arrives on the balcony and Gavin grabs Sharon, threatening to jump, killing them both. Sharon says he could never kill himself so he lets her go and she tells him it is over between them. Gavin is then arrested.{{Cite episode |title= Episode dated 08/07/2016 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07k3sm0 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: John Howlett; Writer: Rob Gittins |network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate= 8 July 2016}}

More than five years later, Gavin's sister, Sally (Jill Stanford) calls Kathy to inform her that Gavin has died. Kathy and Sharon attend the wake where they meet Sally and various other relatives. Zack Hudson (James Farrar) raises a scathing toast to Gavin and is chased by his cousins. In the ensuing distraction of the chase, Sharon snatches Gavin's urn and dumps it in the bin outside. Before they leave, Zack hides out in Sharon's car while Gavin's irate relatives look for him. When Sharon asks how Zack knows Gavin, he replies that he is his son, making him Sharon's half-brother. It emerges that Gavin has willed a safety deposit box to Sharon and the key to Zack, respectively. When Zack and Sharon open the box they find nothing of any value.

After it was confirmed that Taylforth was returning to EastEnders, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins teased about Gavin in May 2015 when he said of Kathy's return: "It's a big, big story with lots of twists and turns. We know that there was a man named Gavin, who Kathy went off with to South Africa. So there's Gavin, Kathy—and lots of Phil [Mitchell] involved."{{cite journal|date=2–8 May 2015|title=Kathy: The Countdown Begins!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=17|page=19}} Then, on 17 June, Treadwell-Collins posted on Twitter a photo of part of a script, featuring Gavin, and the caption "He's on his way...".{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dominictc/status/611204919945744384|title=DomTreadwellCollins on Twitter: "He's on his way... #EastEnders #KathysBack #Gavin|last=Treadwell-Collins|first=Dominic|author-link=Dominic Treadwell-Collins|date=17 June 2015|publisher=Twitter|access-date=13 October 2015}} The following day, 18 June, Paul Nicholas's casting in the role was announced, and it was confirmed that the character would play a major part in Kathy's return storyline. Nicholas said of his role: "I am delighted to be joining the wonderful cast of EastEnders for what is going to be an exciting time ahead. I can't wait to get started and seeing what's in store for my character." Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "We are all thrilled that Paul has agreed to join our cast to play Gavin. So many British television viewers have grown up with Paul Nicholas so it's brilliant to have him back on our screens, playing a major part in Kathy's explosive return to the Square, while also holding the key to many more of the Square's secrets."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a653500/eastenders-paul-nicholas-to-play-kathy-beales-husband-gavin-sullivan.html|title=EastEnders: Paul Nicholas to play Kathy Beale's husband Gavin Sullivan|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=18 June 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=27 June 2015}} Nicholas later said it was "great" for him to join a "brilliantly produced and very well acted" show, but said it was "quite daunting" as he had not acted in a soap opera before. He said that when he joined the cast, he met the writers who explained the character to him and gave him a "really good insight into where they wanted it to go" and added, "It is nice to be involved in something so successful and that people actually watch."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a666492/eastenders-star-paul-nicholas-on-gavin-sullivan-role-it-can-be-daunting.html|title=EastEnders star Paul Nicholas on Gavin Sullivan role: 'It can be daunting'|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=3 September 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=29 October 2015}} Two days after Nicholas's casting was announced, Nicholas and Taylforth were seen filming on location at King's Cross station, for Gavin's introduction scene that aired on 21 August 2015,{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a654091/eastenders-bbc-reveals-pictures-of-gillian-taylforth--paul-nicholas-filming.html|title=EastEnders: BBC reveals pictures of Gillian Taylforth & Paul Nicholas filming|last=Babbage|first=Rachel|date=20 June 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=27 June 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a664679/eastenders-kathy-beales-husband-gavin-sullivan-makes-his-first-appearance.html|title=EastEnders: Kathy Beale's husband Gavin Sullivan makes his first appearance|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=21 August 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=9 September 2015}} and on 30 June, on-location photos emerged of Nicholas, Taylforth, Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) and Samantha Womack (Ronnie Mitchell), filming at an airfield in Essex, for Gavin's third episode, broadcast on 11 September 2015.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/587782/EastEnders-spoiler-Kathy-Beale-Gavin-Sullivan-Paul-Nicholas-Gillian-Taylforth-plane|title=EastEnders: Gillian Taylforth and Paul Nicholas spotted at airfield|last=Debnath|first=Neela|date=30 June 2015|work=Daily Express|access-date=9 September 2015}}

During an EastEnders press event, Treadwell-Collins stated that it was hoped Gavin would be "an EastEnders villain like no other", and described him as "modern, complex and he will have a little foot in the past and a foot in the present."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a655184/eastenders-spoilers-kathys-husband-gavin-will-be-a-villain-like-no-other-says-show-boss.html|title=EastEnders spoilers: Kathy's husband Gavin will be a villain like no other, says show boss|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=27 June 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=27 June 2015}} Treadwell-Collins later said, "Paul Nicholas has created the most manipulative and dangerous EastEnders villain we've ever had. He makes Archie Mitchell look like a Care Bear."{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-09-03/new-eastenders-villain-gavin-sullivan-makes-archie-mitchell-look-like-a-care-bear-says-show-boss|title=EastEnders spoilers: villain Gavin Sullivan makes Archie Mitchell look like a Care Bear, says show boss|last=Brown|first=David|date=3 September 2015|work=Radio Times|access-date=5 September 2015}} Discussing this comparison, Rachel McGrath of The Huffington Post UK said, "He makes the murderous, abusive, rapist Archie look like a child's cuddly toy. We're genuinely terrified."{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/02/eastenders-paul-nicholas-gavin-kathy-beale_n_8077666.html|title='EastEnders' Spoiler: Paul Nicholas's Character, Gavin, Named Soap's 'Most Dangerous Villain Ever'|last=McGrath|first=Rachel|date=3 September 2015|work=The Huffington Post UK|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904031144/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/02/eastenders-paul-nicholas-gavin-kathy-beale_n_8077666.html|url-status=live}} Vicky Prior from the Metro called Treadwell-Collins' claim "bold [...] for a show that has produced some of TV's most iconic villains", and included in her list Nick Cotton (John Altman), Archie (Larry Lamb), Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), Trevor Morgan (Alex Ferns), Phil Mitchell, Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood), Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), Ronnie Mitchell, Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti) and Babe Smith (Annette Badland), saying that "I don't think Gavin will find it easy to earn a place in Walford's Rogues Gallery. I expect EastEnders to have some extra dramatic plots coming up to help Gavin out though."{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/09/10/eastenders-is-gavin-sullivan-bad-enough-to-beat-these-top-walford-villains-5382525/|title=EastEnders: Is Gavin Sullivan bad enough to beat these Walford villains?|last=Prior|first=Vicky|date=10 September 2015|work=Metro|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=18 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918214458/http://metro.co.uk/2015/09/10/eastenders-is-gavin-sullivan-bad-enough-to-beat-these-top-walford-villains-5382525/|url-status=live}} Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly said that the script snippet posted online by Treadwell-Collins "hinted that the character will be a formidable force".

Nicholas said about Gavin: "I wouldn't say he was the most charming man I've ever played." However, Taylforth said that he is a "charming character, who can turn menacing, dark and deep",{{cite journal|last=Brockway|first=Sally|date=12–25 September 2015|title=Kathy's secret past finally revealed!|journal=Soaplife|issue=363|pages=36–37}} and called him "horrible".{{cite journal|date=12–25 September 2015|title=Star chat: 'There's definitely still something between Kathy and Phil...'|journal=All About Soap|issue=357|pages=26–27}} Taylforth also said that Gavin is "very cunning" and "knows everyone's weakness and uses it",{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a675459/eastenders-spoilers-broken-man-phil-mitchell-to-start-drinking-again/|title=EastEnders spoilers: 'Broken man' Phil Mitchell to start drinking again|last=Daniel|first=Kilkelly|date=26 October 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=18 December 2015}} and called him a "tyrant".{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/10/26/eastenders-spoiler-kathy-beale-halloween_n_8389006.html|title='EastEnders' Spoiler: Kathy Beale Actress Gillian Taylforth Teases Halloween Episode Drama And Shock Twist|last=McGrath|first=Rachel|date=26 October 2015|work=The Huffington Post UK|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106064212/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/10/26/eastenders-spoiler-kathy-beale-halloween_n_8389006.html|url-status=live}} Harry Reid, who plays Kathy and Phil's son Ben Mitchell, called Gavin "a nasty bloke with an edge to him."{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-13/eastenders-star-harry-reid-promises-life-changing-drama-for-ben-kathy-and-the-rest-of-the-mitchells|title=EastEnders spoilers: Harry Reid promises "life-changing" drama for Ben, Kathy and the rest of the Mitchells|last=Brown|first=David|date=13 October 2015|work=Radio Times|publisher=Immediate Media|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305213258/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-13/eastenders-star-harry-reid-promises-life-changing-drama-for-ben-kathy-and-the-rest-of-the-mitchells|url-status=live}} Additionally, Danny Walker from the Daily Mirror called him "moody",{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-phil-mitchell-attacks-6356688|title=EastEnders spoilers: Phil Mitchell ATTACKS Kathy's husband Gavin - has Phil bitten off more than he can chew?|last=Walker|first=Danny|date=1 September 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=5 September 2015}} James Leyfield from the Daily Mirror called him an "east end bad boy",{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-phil-mitchell-confronted-6557691|title=EastEnders spoilers: Phil Mitchell is confronted by Kathy's husband Gavin Sullivan - has he met his match?|last=Leyfield|first=James|date=2 October 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=4 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004040255/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-phil-mitchell-confronted-6557691|url-status=live}} Nigel Pauley from the Daily Mirror called him a "psycho gangster",{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ross-kemp-looks-set-return-6699218|title=Ross Kemp looks set to return to EastEnders as hard man Grant Mitchell|last=Pauley|first=Nigel|date=24 October 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=18 December 2015}} and Inside Soap called Gavin "wicked"{{cite journal|date=12–18 September 2015|title=Hot Gossip!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=26|page=19|quote=Jane will be the least of Kathy's worries as her wicked husband, Gavin, scares the Square.}}{{cite journal|last=Tyler|first=Laura-Jane|date=5–11 Sep 2015|title=It's Gavin vs Phil!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=35|pages=10–11}} and "Walford's new baddy",{{cite journal|date=15–21 August 2015|title=Kathy back on the Square!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=32|pages=8–10}} with Kate White from the magazine calling him "sinister". Amy Duncan from the Metro called him "calculated",{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/10/01/eastenders-spoilers-phil-is-worryingly-out-of-his-depth-as-calculated-gavin-arrives-with-backup-5417491/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Phil Mitchell out of his depth as Gavin arrives with backup|last=Duncan|first=Amy|date=1 October 2015|work=Metro|access-date=18 December 2015}} Duncan Lindsay from the Metro called him "scheming",{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/31/eastenders-spoilers-phil-mitchell-confronts-gavin-sullivan-over-kathy-beale-5369671/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Phil Mitchell confronts Gavin Sullivan over Kathy Beale|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=31 August 2015|work=Metro|access-date=15 April 2016}} and Soaplife called him "mysterious",{{cite journal|date=29 August – 11 September 2015|title=Kathy's secret past revealed!|journal=Soaplife|issue=362|page=4}} "slippery", "grim",{{cite journal|date=10–23 October 2015|title=Can Ben & Kathy save Phil?|journal=Soaplife|issue=365|pages=4–5|quote=We feared the worst when Phil strong-armed slippery villain Gavin Sullivan out of Albert Square a month ago, then grim Gavin turned up at The Arches with a couple of heavies, uttering an icily scary, 'Hello Phil...'}} and a "ruthless operator".{{cite journal|date=13–26 February 2016|title=Does Gavin have a new evil plan?|journal=Soaplife|issue=374|page=17}} What's on TV described him as a "vicious gangster",{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/eastenders/news/eastenders-shock-report-ross-kemp-will-return-to-eastenders-as-grant-to-save-phil|title=EastEnders shock report: Ross Kemp will return to EastEnders as Grant to save Phil|date=25 October 2015|work=What's on TV|access-date=18 December 2015}} "threatening" and "dodgy",{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/eastenders/news/kathy-and-ben-unite-to-rescue-phil-in-eastenders|title=Kathy and Ben unite to rescue Phil in EastEnders!|date=6 October 2015|work=What's on TV|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128222554/http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/eastenders/news/kathy-and-ben-unite-to-rescue-phil-in-eastenders|url-status=live}} and All About Soap called him "evil".{{cite journal|date=12–25 September 2015|title=You're Nicked!|journal=All About Soap|issue=357|page=9}} A show insider told Inside Soap that Gavin is "a nasty piece of work".{{cite journal|date=11–17 July 2015|title=Kathy cleared for landing!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=27|pages=18–19}} Nicholas later said that the fact that Gavin comes in and out of the show "makes him more unpredictable, I think. Unpredictable villains are the best."{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/527772/EastEnders-actor-Paul-Nicholas-says-Gavin-will-put-Kathy-in-grave-danger|title=EastEnders Paul Nicholas says Gavin will put Kathy in grave danger|last=Portman|first=Phillip|work=Daily Star|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126120341/http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz-tv/hot-tv/527772/EastEnders-actor-Paul-Nicholas-says-Gavin-will-put-Kathy-in-grave-danger|url-status=live}}

Speaking of Gavin and Kathy's relationship, Taylforth said that he is so manipulative towards her that "She can't function without [him]" and she has "been brainwashed". She said that Gavin has "a hold on her" and has "knocked her down so much" and explained that he has convinced her she is a bad mother, adding "she's really frightened of him".{{cite journal|last=White|first=Kate|date=12–18 September 2015|title=The Big Interview: EastEnders legend Gillian Taylforth lifts the lid on the biggest comeback in soap...|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=36|pages=32–34}} She claimed that Kathy loves Gavin and "he convinces her that he loves her, too" and makes her believe that everything is her fault. She also said that Gavin has reasons for controlling everything Kathy does and has "little ways of getting round her." Kate White from Inside Soap said, "Kathy is fighting for survival and knows how twisted Gavin is." Inside Soap said the script snippet "seems to indicate that Gavin is one step ahead of his wife", saying that the reason Kathy always seems to look nervous is because of Gavin.{{cite journal|date=27 June – 3 July 2015|title=Back to Big Drama!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=25|page=14}} Inside Soap also said that Kathy is scared because of "her marriage to the dangerous Gavin Sullivan".{{cite journal|date=4–10 July 2015|title=EastEnders' Big Summer! 'Gavin will be an EastEnders villain like no other!'|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=26|page=8}} David Brown from Radio Times said Gavin and Kathy have a "poisonous marriage",{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-26/ross-kemp-return-would-be-wonderful-says-eastenders-star-gillian-taylforth|title=EastEnders spoilers: Ross Kemp return would be "wonderful", says Gillian Taylforth|last=Brown|first=David|date=26 October 2015|work=Radio Times|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-date=27 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027132115/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-26/ross-kemp-return-would-be-wonderful-says-eastenders-star-gillian-taylforth|url-status=live}} and a show insider told Inside Soap that Gavin and Kathy's marriage was "built on mind games and his twisted ability to control her."{{cite journal|last=Tyler|first=Laura-Jane|date=13–19 February 2016|title=Will you be my valentine?|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2016|issue=6|page=18}} Soaplife said that "Kathy will testify [that] he's not the sort of [man] to take rejection lying down."

In relation to Gavin's first scenes with Kathy's former husband Phil, it was said that Gavin "will not be taking no for an answer" and he "doesn't take things quietly", with Treadwell-Collins calling the storyline "a really exciting thriller". Further scenes between Phil and Gavin prompted Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy to think that Phil "may have met his match".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a671504/eastenders-spoilers-gavin-sullivan-is-back-to-get-revenge-on-phil-mitchell-tonight.html|title=EastEnders spoilers: Gavin Sullivan is back to get revenge on Phil Mitchell tonight|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=2 October 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=2 October 2015}} A show insider told Inside Soap, "He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, even [if] it means butting heads with the notorious Mitchell family. Phil should watch out—this one's a real handful!" On the storyline where Gavin has Phil kidnapped and demands money to spare his life, an EastEnders insider told Inside Soap, "Gavin knows which buttons to push to frighten Kathy into doing exactly what he wants. He wants that money, he wants her by his side, and if things don't go as he wants, Phil is going to pay a high price."{{cite journal|last=White|first=Kate|date=17–23 October 2015|title=Kathy Goes to the Police!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=41|pages=8–9}} Treadwell-Collins said of the kidnap storyline: "What Gavin does to Phil while he's off screen will take Phil in a whole new direction that will run into next year [2016]."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a672317/eastenders-boss-phil-mitchell-kidnapping-will-take-him-in-a-whole-new-direction.html|title=EastEnders boss: 'Phil Mitchell kidnapping will take him in a whole new direction'|last=Hegarty|first=Tasha|date=6 October 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031030305/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a672317/eastenders-boss-phil-mitchell-kidnapping-will-take-him-in-a-whole-new-direction.html|url-status=live}} Taylforth confirmed that what Gavin does to Phil is the reason Phil starts drinking again, saying "Gavin knows that drinking is Phil's weakness". This has an ongoing impact on Phil and the Mitchells, with Treadwell-Collins calling Phil "a broken man" and confirming it was the start of a storyline that would continue until Easter 2016.

File:Harry Reid 2016.jpg, pictured) was described as "an interesting dynamic".]]

Ben actor Reid spoke of his character's relationship with Gavin, saying that Gavin was a father figure to Ben for several years, adding, "He grew up with him and there will be a lot of love there. Ben came back [from South Africa, after Kathy and Gavin faked their deaths] a happy child, so you think Gavin is a perfect dad as he helped create that kid. There's a real connection there between them, having spent time together and loved each other."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a673595/eastenders-star-harry-reid-ben-mitchell-and-gavin-will-have-a-connection/|title=EastEnders star Harry Reid: 'Ben Mitchell and Gavin will have a connection'|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|author2=Dainy, Sophie|date=14 October 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=18 December 2015}} Reid also said that Gavin "clearly didn't do a bad job" of raising Ben, Ben does not blame Gavin for being lied to about Kathy and Gavin's fake deaths, and Ben finds Gavin more understanding than his own father. However, he said that Ben knows Gavin has a "nasty edge".{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/eastenders/news/gavin-will-make-halloween-horrific-for-the-mitchells-reveals-eastenders-harry-reid|title='Gavin will make Halloween horrific for the Mitchells,' reveals EastEnders' Harry Reid|date=21 October 2015|work=What's on TV|access-date=18 December 2015}} Treadwell-Collins promised "an interesting dynamic" between Ben and Gavin, saying that Gavin would "manipulate Ben as well as Kathy".

Several news outlets reported speculation that Gavin could be the birth father of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Treadwell-Collins' comment that the character would "have a little foot in the past and a foot in the present" and is "holding the key to many more of the Square's secrets" caused David Brown, writer for Radio Times, to wonder what Gavin's connection to the past would be, saying "it's surely no coincidence that Sharon has recently been searching for her birth dad—a man who we know to also be called Gavin." Brown said it would "make for some intriguing family dynamics."{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-06-27/paul-nicholas-plays-an-eastenders-villain-like-no-other-says-show-boss---but-will-he-be-sharons-dad-as-well-as-kathys-husband|title=Paul Nicholas plays an EastEnders villain like no other, says show boss - but will he be Sharon's dad as well as Kathy's husband?|last=Brown|first=David|date=27 June 2015|work=Radio Times|access-date=5 September 2015}} Inside Soap said that they had a hunch that Kathy's husband Gavin and Sharon's father Gavin could be the same person, making Sharon Kathy's stepdaughter.{{cite journal|date=27 June – 3 July 2015|title=Hello, (step)mum!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=25|page=15}} All About Soap said it "cannot be a coincidence" that Sharon's real father has the same name.

Speculation increased when on-location photos emerged, showing Kathy with police outside a house, which looks similar to scenes already shown of Sharon visiting the street where her father lives, and both scenes took place in Notting Hill. Carl Greenwood from the Daily Mirror said that "Two huge EastEnders storylines could be set to converge" if Gavin is Sharon's father.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-kathy-beales-husband-6315999|title=EastEnders spoilers: Is Kathy Beale's husband Gavin Sullivan Sharon Mitchell's birth father?|last=Greenwood|first=Carl|date=25 August 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=9 September 2015}} An EastEnders source said: "Eagle-eyed viewers will spot police are in the same area as Sharon was looking for her dad". Brown later said that it would "be a treat" to see Gavin revealed as Sharon's father, as it would also make him the grandfather of Dennis "Denny" Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau), Sharon's son with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman), and said "Something tells me that Gavin wouldn't be cheery grandpa offering up the Werther's Originals to Denny while they watch the Antiques Roadshow together. More likely, he'd be getting him down Basher Jim's for a bit of boxing training before introducing him into his criminal empire."{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-09-18/eastenders-what-will-be-dennys-big-plotline|title=EastEnders spoilers: what will be Denny's big plotline?|last=Brown|first=David|date=18 September 2015|work=Radio Times|access-date=18 September 2015}} However, All About Soap wondered if Phil had actually sent Sharon to a fake address. Amy Duncan from the Metro said, "perhaps there are just two Gavins with links to Albert Square living in Notting Hill."{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/25/eastenders-spoilers-kathy-beale-to-be-arrested-as-dci-marsden-discovers-shes-back-from-the-dead-5360355/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Kathy Beale to be arrested as DCI Marsden discovers she's alive|last=Duncan|first=Amy|date=25 August 2015|work=Metro|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029142833/http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/25/eastenders-spoilers-kathy-beale-to-be-arrested-as-dci-marsden-discovers-shes-back-from-the-dead-5360355/|url-status=live}} Duncan Lindsay from the Metro wondered if Phil might know that Gavin is Sharon's father, which is why he did not want Sharon to track down her real father and also speculated that Gavin could be related to the character Dan Sullivan, who was played by Craig Fairbrass between 1999 and 2001 and was one of Phil's enemies.{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/18/eastenders-spoilers-kathy-beales-husband-gavin-to-be-revealed-as-sharon-mitchells-dad-5251566/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Kathy Beale's husband Gavin to be revealed as Sharon Mitchell's dad as Paul Nicholas is cast|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=18 June 2015|work=Metro|access-date=8 September 2015|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904002706/http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/18/eastenders-spoilers-kathy-beales-husband-gavin-to-be-revealed-as-sharon-mitchells-dad-5251566/|url-status=live}}

Gavin was confirmed to be Sharon's birth father in the episode broadcast on 30 October 2015, in which he repeated Sharon's adopted father Den Watts's (Leslie Grantham) iconic line "Hello, princess". Digital Spy{{'s}} Daniel Kilkelly said EastEnders had "delivered the daddy of all cliffhangers".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a676618/hello-princess-eastenders-reveals-the-identity-of-sharon-mitchells-father-in-halloween-special.html|title='Hello princess!' EastEnders reveals the identity of Sharon Mitchell's father in Halloween special|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=30 October 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=30 October 2015}} Taylforth confirmed that her character Kathy is unaware of the connection between Sharon and Gavin, and said, {{nowrap|"[Sharon]'s}} always said that she would walk into a room and know straight away [when she meets her father], and especially when he said those words: 'Hello princess'. We had the full scripts for the episode, but the other cast members didn't know what was going on. Paul was just fantastic delivering that line." Nicholas said that the "hello, princess" line was used because it was a definite way of linking Gavin and Den.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-star-paul-nicholas-says-6761742|title=EastEnders star Paul Nicholas says being a sex symbol harmed his career for decades - Mirror Online|last=Jefferies|first=Mark|date=3 November 2015|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=15 April 2016}} Inside Soap said that Sharon discovering Gavin is her father "has to be the biggest [bombshell] of all" for Sharon, but added that viewers had already guessed before the episode was broadcast.{{cite journal|date=14–20 November 2015|title=SoapBox|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=45|page=94|quote=EastEnders{{'}} Sharon has suffered some bombshells in her time, but finding out that wicked Gavin is her biological dad has to be the biggest of all! She was stunned – but you lot saw this plot coming...}} Soaplife thought it was the "most shocking reveal" of 2015 in all British soap operas, saying they were "stunned".{{cite journal|date=16–29 January 2016|title=The 2015 Soaplife Awards|journal=Soaplife|issue=372|page=42}} They also opined that Gavin seemingly genuinely wants to reconnect with Sharon and be a father to her and seems very fond of Dennis, and that if Sharon were to reject him, he would probably try to kidnap Dennis.

File:Ellen Thomas 2016.jpg, pictured)]]

In scenes broadcast in February and March 2016, Gavin blackmails Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas). The episodes are set on Mother's Day, which was called "the mother of all Mother's Days" by EastEnders.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-claudette-hubbard-edge-7512509|title=EastEnders spoilers: Claudette Hubbard on the edge - will Gavin Sullivan reveal she killed Vincent's dad?|last=Walker|first=Danny|date=7 March 2016|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=15 April 2016}} The Daily Mirror said that Gavin would get his comeuppance in the episodes and he would "meet his match" in Claudette, adding that "He may have destroyed Phil Mitchell's long-standing sobriety, but he won't get one over on the fearsome Claudette." An EastEnders source explained that Gavin could "rip her family apart" and said, "Gavin is used to being the one who dishes out the pain—but oh, how the tables have turned. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats waiting to find out if she has killed him."{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-claudette-hubbard-kill-7472088|title=EastEnders spoilers: Claudette Hubbard to KILL Gavin Sullivan?|last=Greenwood|first=Carl|date=1 March 2016|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=15 April 2016|archive-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408025110/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-claudette-hubbard-kill-7472088|url-status=live}} They also said that "Claudette and Vincent's relationship will never be the same again" because of what has happened with Gavin. The Metro compared the scene where Claudette hits Gavin over the head with a candelabra to "a live-action version of Cluedo" calling Claudette "Miss Scarlett" and Gavin "Dr Black".{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/29/eastenders-spoilers-claudette-flips-out-and-smacks-gavin-over-the-head-with-a-candelabra-will-he-die-5715457/|title=Soap Spoilers: Will EastEnders' Claudette be caught by Vincent after attacking Gavin?|last=Duncan|first=Amy|date=29 February 2016|work=Metro|access-date=15 April 2016|archive-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405062716/http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/29/eastenders-spoilers-claudette-flips-out-and-smacks-gavin-over-the-head-with-a-candelabra-will-he-die-5715457/|url-status=live}}

Gavin's final storyline sees him kidnapping Kathy, killing his sister Margaret Midhurst (Jan Harvey) and being arrested. Nicholas said of the storyline, "Gavin will be up to the usual sullied, nasty things", while Taylforth explained, "He is coming back to cause the usual mayhem that he always does. Paul is great playing a villain, we all love him to bits! He still controls Kathy in a certain way. She thought last time that she could control him – as soon as starts talking to her, he wins her over again—as he always does!"{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/02/eastenders-spoilers-paul-nicholas-and-gillian-taylforth-reveal-new-gavin-sullivan-drama-5919713/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Paul Nicholas and Gillian Taylforth reveal new Gavin Sullivan drama|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=2 June 2016|work=Metro|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810201837/http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/02/eastenders-spoilers-paul-nicholas-and-gillian-taylforth-reveal-new-gavin-sullivan-drama-5919713/|url-status=live}} The storyline includes a cliffhanger where it is not known if it is Margaret or Kathy who has been killed. Kilkelly said the end of the episode was a "sinister surprise" and that "Gavin Sullivan appeared to reach villainous new heights".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a800299/eastenders-catch-up-gavin-plot-kathy-margaret-death-fall/|title=EastEnders catch-up: Either Kathy Beale or Margaret Midhurst is dead at Gavin's hands|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=5 July 2016|work=Digital Spy|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027114839/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a800299/eastenders-catch-up-gavin-plot-kathy-margaret-death-fall/|url-status=live}} Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said of Gavin, "He's clearly lost it and with a body on his hands and the control slipping from his grasp, there's no telling what Gavin might do next", adding that "The final chapter of the saga is about to unfold in dramatic fashion."{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/05/eastenders-spoilers-soap-airs-a-shock-death-is-kathy-beale-the-victim-5987563/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Soap airs a shock death – is Kathy Beale the victim?|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=5 July 2016|work=Metro|access-date=31 January 2017}}

While promoting the storyline, Nicholas said he had enjoyed working on EastEnders but did not know if he would return again.{{cite news|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/tv/this-morning/566282/eastenders-spoiler-will-gavin-sullivan-be-killed-off|title=EastEnders spoiler: Will Gavin Sullivan be KILLED OFF? Actor teases dramatic Kathy Beale kidnap plot|last=Tutton|first=Charlotte|date=5 July 2016|work=OK!|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710051610/http://www.ok.co.uk/tv/this-morning/566282/eastenders-spoiler-will-gavin-sullivan-be-killed-off|url-status=live}} Nicholas also said that Gavin is "trying to get [Kathy] back and he is trying to stay in control. He is very much how the mood takes him—whether he tips over to being nice or being nasty. It could go very badly wrong".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a800214/eastenders-spoilers-paul-nicholas-kathy-gavin-drama-could-go-very-badly-wrong/|title=EastEnders star Paul Nicholas teases Kathy and Gavin drama: 'It could go very badly wrong'|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=5 July 2016|work=Digital Spy|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015024357/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a800214/eastenders-spoilers-paul-nicholas-kathy-gavin-drama-could-go-very-badly-wrong/|url-status=live}} Following the episode on 5 July 2016 in which Gavin lures Kathy to his mansion under false pretences, Sarah Deen from the Metro said that Gavin "must have a head made of concrete" after surviving being hit on the head with a vase, and called the episode "tense and creepy" and like a "horror movie".{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/05/eastenders-did-anyone-notice-gavin-sullivans-gaffe-when-he-kidnapped-kathy-beale-5988193/|title=EastEnders: Gavin Sullivan's mistake when he kidnapped Kathy Beale|last=Deen|first=Sarah|date=5 July 2016|work=Metro|access-date=11 July 2016}} Lindsay said that Gavin made a "shock exit" in the following episode, and said "he remained a villain to the very end."{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/08/eastenders-spoilers-gavin-sullivan-makes-a-shock-exit-but-what-happens-next-5987637/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Gavin Sullivan makes a shock exit but what happens next?|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=8 July 2016|work=Metro|access-date=11 July 2016|archive-date=11 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711085845/http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/08/eastenders-spoilers-gavin-sullivan-makes-a-shock-exit-but-what-happens-next-5987637/|url-status=live}} In February 2021, Dean and Taylforth were photographed filming on-location scenes which depicted Gavin's wake, and Digital Spy confirmed that the character had been killed off off-screen.{{cite news|title=EastEnders films a surprise death storyline in new on-location scenes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a35418782/eastenders-spoilers-gavin-sullivan-death/|first=Sam|last=Warner|date=4 February 2021|access-date=4 February 2021 |work=Digital Spy}}

Nicholas's casting in the role was praised by All About Soap, who said, "We reckon this is ace casting—doesn't he look like he belongs in Walford? We can just picture him in The Vic!"{{cite journal|date=4–17 July 2015|title=Meet Kathy's husband!|journal=All About Soap|issue=352|pages=12–13}} Frances Taylor, writing on BT Group{{'s}} website, said that Gavin's introduction "got the nation talking about EastEnders for all the right reasons".{{cite news|url=http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-soap/opinion-why-eastenders-desperately-needs-ross-kemp-back-as-grant-mitchell-for-good-11364033972737|title=Why EastEnders needs Grant Mitchell back for good - BT|last=Taylor|first=Frances|date=18 January 2016|work=BT Group|access-date=15 April 2016|archive-date=2 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402014511/http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-soap/opinion-why-eastenders-desperately-needs-ross-kemp-back-as-grant-mitchell-for-good-11364033972737|url-status=live}}

After the reveal that Gavin is Sharon's father, Inside Soap said, "Gavin cemented himself as Walford's Most Wicked when he subjected the Mitchells to the Halloween from hell. We've watched Kathy mither on about him for weeks, but the story only truly came to life when Gavin uttered the immortal wirds "'Ello Princess" to stunned daughter Sharon. Devilishly good."{{cite journal|last=Tyler|first=Laura-Jayne|date=7–13 November 2015|title=Inside... OUT! Hits & Misses!|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2015|issue=44|page=98}} Former EastEnders writer Sarah Phelps was initially angry that Den Watts's catchphrase had been given to Gavin, saying in a post on Twitter, "Never ever piss on the memory of Den and Angie. Never. I wrote that f**king line [for Den's 2003 return]. That was Den. Not some turd in a syrup."{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/03/eastenders-news-script-writer-sarah-phelps-gavin-sullivan-sharon-mitchell-hello-princess-dad-dirty-den_n_8459880.html|title='EastEnders': Former Script Writer Sarah Phelps Fuming At Gavin And Sharon 'Hello, Princess' Twist|last=Percival|first=Ashley|date=3 November 2015|work=The Huffington Post UK|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105190136/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/03/eastenders-news-script-writer-sarah-phelps-gavin-sullivan-sharon-mitchell-hello-princess-dad-dirty-den_n_8459880.html?|url-status=live}} However, the following day she posted, "[To be honest] now I'm not pissed as a stoat, [I] think Gavin manipulating Sharon will be cruel & intriguing".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a677025/former-eastenders-scriptwriter-sarah-phelps-is-calmer-about-hello-princess-retconning-it-will-be-intriguing/|title=Former EastEnders scriptwriter Sarah Phelps is calmer about 'Hello Princess' retconning: 'It will be intriguing'|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=3 November 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-date=4 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104151437/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a677025/former-eastenders-scriptwriter-sarah-phelps-is-calmer-about-hello-princess-retconning-it-will-be-intriguing/|url-status=live}} In July 2016, actor Leslie Grantham, who played Den between 1985 and 1989 and again from 2003 to 2005, said "I do find it strange that the show gave Den's catchphrase to someone else. Den is still remembered and people still ask me to say, 'Ello princess', because it was one of those bits that made him so popular! You do feel like you own it when you've made such an impact. Obviously the show moves on and there's a whole new generation now, but I think that's pretty poor writing."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a802615/eastenders-leslie-grantham-slams-show-for-hello-princess-retconning/|title=Ex-EastEnders star Leslie Grantham slams show for 'Hello Princess' retconning: 'It's poor writing'|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=26 July 2016|work=Digital Spy|access-date=26 July 2016}}

In February 2016, Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap said, "We're in awe of Gavin's ability to glide in and out of Walford houses undetected, as if he's wearing a magical raincoat of invisibilty. He pops up all over the place! Is it because, like the shark he is, he needs to keep moving or else he'll die?"{{cite journal|last=Tyler|first=Laura-Jane|date=27 February – 4 March 2016|title=Inside... Out! Hits & Misses|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2016|issue=8|page=98}} In June 2016, Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy included Gavin in a list of 10 soap opera villains she hoped would receive their comeuppance, opining that Gavin had not made "Archie Mitchell look like a care bear" as promised, adding that the fact that "he hasn't really done very much at all [...] leaves us feeling a little on edge", adding that "until he's humbled for good, we are fearful for those that have 'wronged' him."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/feature/a796871/which-soap-villain-is-going-to-get-their-comeuppance-first-from-hollyoaks-nico-to-eastenders-andy/|title=Which soap villain should get their comeuppance first? From EastEnders' Andy to Hollyoaks' Nico|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=7 June 2016|work=Digital Spy|access-date=9 June 2016}} In December 2016, when reviewing the whole of 2016 in EastEnders, Tyler from Inside Soap said that "anything to do with Gavin" was "what went wrong" in 2016.{{cite journal|last=Tyler|first=Laura-Jane|date=31 December 2016 – 6 January 2017|title=The Inside... Out! End of Year Report|journal=Inside Soap|volume=2016|issue=52|page=98|quote=What went wrong? The bins. Anything to do with Gavin.}}

• List of EastEnders characters (2015)
• List of soap opera villains

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{EastEnders characters|past}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sullivan, Gavin}}

Category:EastEnders characters

Category:Television characters introduced in 2015

Category:Fictional blackmailers

Category:Fictional fraudsters

Category:Fictional murderers

Category:Fictional kidnappers

Category:Fictional sororicides

Category:Fictional criminals in soap operas

Category:English male characters in soap operas

Category:Male villains

Category:Fictional characters incorrectly presumed dead

Category:Fictional gangsters