He was introduced as the estranged father of Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan), and his early storylines focused on his attempts to reconnect with his family.

After accepting money from Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) to beat Ezra Hanley (Steve Nation), Gary was sent to prison.

Bridget McManus from The Sydney Morning Herald has praised Richardson in the role, but thought he was "underutilised", while other critics have expressed their sympathy for Gary.

On 15 October 2014, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that the estranged father of established character Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan), would soon be introduced for a guest stint.

[6][7] The official website describes Gary as being "an easy-going likeable bloke who enjoys nothing more than lazy afternoons at the pub with a few mates, or long days with a fishing rod at some quiet spot.

Milligan explained, "Kyle has really wanted his dad to come back and be part of his life for so long, but when he does, he doesn't know how he is feeling or how to react with his emotions.

"[4] Milligan praised Richardson's casting, believing that his portrayal of Gary showed viewers where Kyle inherited his "bogan and larrikin attitude from".

[12] It soon emerges that Gary carried out an assault on Ezra Hanley (Steve Nation) in exchange for money from Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).

[13] Naomi is "furious" with her brother, so she tells Kyle that the real reason Gary walked out on his family all those years ago was because he took part in a robbery and went on the run.

[14] "While Gary seems to be a reformed character after two years in prison, fans can expect to see him making one parental blunder after another – all under Sheila's watchful eye.

With the financial pressures of raising a teenager to consider too, can Gary really stay on the straight and narrow, or will he make even more poor choices for the sake of his daughter?

[17] When Kyle learns of the invitation, he visits Gary and explains his concerns for Xanthe, who he feels needs people in her life who are going to stay around and look after her.

[21] A couple of months after Gary returns home, Xanthe accuses her classmate Cooper Knights (Charlie Hannaford) of sexually assaulting her.

"[21] Ben Kirk (Felix Mallard) later learns that it was Cooper's mother who attacked him, and Xanthe is grateful to him for saving Gary from returning to prison.

Gary begins interacting with Terese more when he is paid by Paul to steal her strategy file for the upcoming sale of Lassiters Hotel.

[30] Brooke later persuades Gary to give her his Family Feud winnings by claiming the jewellery she has sold to the neighbours is being held at Customs.

[36] Gary seeks alternative treatments for Terese when her chemotherapy fails, and he later asks her incarcerated brother Nick Petrides (Damien Fotiou) for his help.

[38] Elmaloglou told Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times that Terese and Paul have "a shared, spontaneous moment", but she does feel guilty about cheating on Gary.

And he's angry, too..."[39] Gary returns to work, but finds that the Lassiters Hotel staff are gossiping about his failed wedding to Terese.

[41] Needing to get out of debt, Gary meets with ex-con Kev McNally (Troy Davis) and arranges to carry out some illegal jobs for him.

[44] Daniel Kilkelly (Digital Spy) confirmed that Richardson had left the cast and would be removed from the show's opening titles the following week.

A year later, Gary sends a visiting order to Kyle, but Sheila and his newly arrived, teenage daughter Xanthe come instead.

When Xanthe needs a tutor and a prom dress, Gary struggles financially and he asks ex-con Kev McNally for work.

But he ends up scaring hotel guest Levi Jansen (Sam Allen), who cancels a meeting with Shane Rebecchi (Nicholas Coghlan).

Terese hires Gary as a barista at the pavilion coffee hut and he delivers stolen goods for Kev McNally to pay Amy back faster.

Toadie gives Gary some work at the garden nursery and he gets a job in a warehouse, but he struggles to remember the instructions given to him due to tiredness and is knocked unconscious by some falling boxes.

He tells her he cannot marry her and heads to Pierce Greyson's (Tim Robards) island glamping retreat to make amends with Kyle.

"[48] When Terese learnt she had breast cancer, a South Wales Echo observed "If you were battling a life-threatening illness, who would you turn to?

"[49] The Metro's Katie Baillie expressed her sympathy for Gary when Terese cheated on him, commenting "the poor guy doesn't deserve this".

[50] Ahead of Gary and Terese's wedding, a reporter for the Liverpool Echo noted that "the path of true love has not been a smooth one for this blushing bride and groom, you can bet that tying the knot will turn out to be rather tumultuous.