The character was created by a team of 13 writers aged between 17 and 22 and is described as sexy and cool with a short fuse and a lack of respect for those in authority.

[1] Leon arrives in the show's setting of Albert Square as a new student at Walford High School, and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) is to be his "buddy".

Peter's twin sister Lucy (Melissa Suffield) takes a liking to Leon and holds a party in 89b George Street so she can spend time with him.

When they finally meet up they kiss, and knowing they can no longer stay in the flat, Fatboy offers them a room at his house.

He helps Whitney with her T-shirt printing and flirts with her and kisses her, but she does not reciprocate as she has a boyfriend, Billie Jackson (Devon Anderson).

Knowing that it is a plan, Leon runs away and drunkenly ventures into the dark woods, cutting his hand.

After Fatboy breaks a tree in Albert Square, Leon helps to replace it but is horrified to discover the body of Owen Turner (Lee Ross) buried beneath it.

Months later he flirts with Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) in the local bookmakers and agree to meet later.

Along with the other characters from E20, he was created by the show's 13 writers during a summer school run by the BBC in August 2009.

[4] Attwater said he felt pressure to be in shape for the part and prepared by attending a gym, saying "I want to be on the best form.

[4] Leon is described as sexy, effortlessly cool, with a short fuse and a lack of respect for those in authority.

[6] In an interview with entertainment website Digital Spy, Attwater said the character is strong-minded, going on to say: "He's a boxer, he wins in the ring and he has a way with the ladies.

"[4] He said that during EastEnders: E20, "[y]ou see his strengths and weaknesses and by the end of it, he becomes quite a rounded character, which is taken on into the main series.

"[4] Along with his co-stars Emer Kenny and Ricky Norwood, Attwater's initial contract was extended to six months, and he hoped for it to be extended further,[4] however, on 11 May 2010, his departure from the show was announced, along with that of Kenny, who played Leon's girlfriend Zsa Zsa Carter.

The new executive producer of EastEnders, Bryan Kirkwood, said "Emer and Sam have made a real impact in the short time they've been on the Square and we wish them all the best for the future.

[10] Leon also makes a cameo appearance in the first episode of series 2 of EastEnders: E20,[11] in which he punches Sol Levi (Tosin Cole) in the face after he gets involved in an argument between Fatboy and Naz Mehmet (Emaa Hussen).

In her review of the first six months of 2010 in British soap operas, Ruth Deller from lowculture.co.uk wrote about Leon, "As someone who didn't watch E20 and therefore has no idea what backstory, if any, these characters had, Leon is probably the worst of the new gang – no family on the square, no distinctive personality, no plotline beyond impregnating Lucy Beale.

[13] In May 2010, Attwater received a nomination in the "Best Soap Newcomer" category at the 14th TVChoice Awards for his portrayal of Leon.