Daniel David "Dan" Baker is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tim Campbell.
[2] The writer for the serial's official website described him as a "likeable, committed, passionate, with a great sense of joviality and humour, [...] a balanced, well-rounded guy.
Dan is said to cherish his childhood memories of camping with his father Kevin (Andy Anderson) and brother Peter (Nicholas Bishop).
He continued: "I think he is a likeable and fun guy, and when faced with conflict, Dan is good in finding a quick resolve between himself and other people.
[6] Nicodemou told a reporter from Inside Soap that Leah's attraction to Dan is a difficult one because she is unsure whether Vinnie is alive or dead.
"[7] Campbell told a reporter from the serial's official website that he had "a lot of fun" with Dan and Leah's wedding because it was "casual".
In one scene Dan sang to Leah, Campbell enjoyed the opportunity but found it "nerve wracking" singing in front of the cast.
Campbell told a reporter from Inside Soap that Dan becomes suspicious of Peter when he randomly reappears in Summer Bay and Scott Hunter (Kip Gamblin) claims to have seen him with drugs.
"[13] Dan arrives in Summer Bay after hearing that his brother, Peter is comatose following an armed siege against Sarah Lewis (Luisa Hastings-Edge).
Dan takes an interest in Leah Patterson and begins a relationship with her, despite the fact her husband Vinnie (Ryan Kwanten) is alive in witness protection.
He later proposes to Leah after the dissolution of her marriage to Vinnie and she accepts but Dan is still married to his ex, Amanda Vale and they have to wait for the divorce to come through.
In spite of these matters, they marry with their friends and family present and Dan performs an impromptu version of "Soul Kind of Feeling" at the reception.
Leah is angry and upset further when she is kidnapped by Dan's creditor, Dudley Shepherd (Terry Serio) and they separate after she is rescued.
They reunite briefly when Leah is revealed to be pregnant but things are strained when Dan discovers she kissed Peter after overhearing a conversation.
Dan moves in with Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth) and Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien), but realises he misses Leah.
He recovers but has a major swelling on his brain, which causes him to act out of character, including trashing Leah's house and kissing Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie).
When Peter is presumed dead in an explosion, Dan tracks down his son Drew Curtis (Bobby Morley) and invites him to live with him.
Leah sells her share of the Diner to Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby) and prepares for the move, but she receives a phone call telling her Dan has died in an abseiling accident while in America.
They learn that Dan died while saving the life of the son of Steve Bradford (Nicholas Holland), who gives Leah $100,000 to set up a memorial for him.
[15] Jim Schembri of The Age said that Dan "unintentionally emasculated" Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin) by making Leah "so happy so quickly".
[17] A writer from the Birmingham Mail chose the episode in which Dan is released from hospital and trashes his house in their "pick of the day" feature.
[22] Roz Laws from the publication opined that the duo's wedding was "turning into a real soap farce" because of the obstacles they have to overcome.
[23] A reporter from the Daily Record said "if Leah and Dan pop up in an episode of this silly soap, it's usually to offer a few patronising words of wisdom to a wrongdoer or two.
"[24] Another writer stated that Dan did not have an "easy time" due to his arguments with Leah, adding that he made the situation worse by falling "back into Amanda's clutches".