Dan Hunter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Andy McNair.

He is initially portrayed as a loner who is disinterested in romance due to the pressure of working at his family garage business.

Producers later introduced Dan's other sister, Ellie Hunter (Sarah Baxendale), who had been a missing person in Ibiza.

Writers portrayed a "stormy" couple dynamic, with Dan also romancing Debbie's sister, Steph Dean (Carley Stenson).

[2] McNair recalled that producers offered him the role of Dan twenty minutes after he returned home from the audition.

[6] McNair told Matthew Evans, author of Phil Redmond's Hollyoaks: The Official Companion, that Dan is a "such a prat" and different to his own personality.

[10][5] To portray the condition accurately, McNair revealed he "thoroughly" researched diabetes and found it "the most challenging" of Dan's stories.

"[5] Writers explored the social stigma regarding diabetes when Izzy Cornwell (Elize du Toit) discovers Dan's insulin syringe in his bag.

[11] Dan is introduced into the series as a new student studying a Higher National Diploma in mechanics at Hollyoaks Community College.

The move becomes a "complete disaster", and McNair assessed that the Hunter family "have a lot of bad luck, which they bring on themselves.

McNair told Corcoran that "Dan doesn't know what's going on" and that Izzy is basically "teasing him and giving him a taste of his own medicine."

McNair also theorised that Dan has "an underlying issue" with trusting women because of the behaviours of his female family members.

With Ben as his passenger, they nearly run over Anna Green (Lisa M. Kay), who is pregnant and Dan is pulled over by police for dangerous driving.

"[8] Writers explored the relationship dynamic between Dan and his erratic sister Ellie Hunter (Sarah Baxendale).

She told Soaplife's Alison James, that Dan's anger comes from Ellie downplaying her disappearance and "he really resents her for that.

McNair explained that Ellie's behaviour and the family's financial woes begin to take their toll on his health.

"[10] This causes an argument which develops into a physical fight when Ellie punches him; "they end up throwing things at each other and trash the house.

[10] McNair believed Dan had no intention of committing suicide but he is "gutted", "very angry" and "he's just fed up of all the pressure and taking it out on his diabetes - he doesn't think about the consequences.

She reluctantly agrees to begin a family with Toby, but secretly takes contraception medication to prevent a pregnancy.

[8] The actor researched the Dan's court case and prison story by taking inspiration from other television shows and books.

[15] Baxendale told Kate Woodward from Inside Soap that Ellie hopes she will be found guilty and wants to be punished.

Baxendale added that Ellie acknowledges her that her behaviour towards Dan has caused her family to suffer and that Les supports her during the trial.

[16] Albert believed that Dan's moodiness and Debbie's "light-hearted approach to life" balanced well and formed a good dynamic.

Albert told Rick Fulton from Daily Record that Debbie would face "a lot of heartbreak" over Dan.

[19] Following their break-up, writers created a new romance between Dan and Debbie's sister, Steph Dean (Carley Stenson).

A writer from Daily Record revealed that the night out explores "the murky underworld of a Liverpool lap-dancing club" where they meet Saskia Browne, who is played by model Caprice Bourret.

She added that it was "no surprise" the character chose "to let off steam whizzing around in his rally car" having a father like Les.

[12] Merle Brown from Daily Record branded Dan "the cleanest mechanic that lived" and that he was "delighted" to set up "dodgy" car dealer Ronnie.

[23] Matthew Evans (The Official Companion) wrote that Dan "arrived in the show in style" and "immediately caused a stir" when he challenged the college's car parking system.

"[2] Nicola Methven and Polly Hudson from Daily Mirror opined that Dan "being blown to smithereens on a racetrack" was "one of Hollyoaks' most dramatic exits".