He first appeared in the show's 4,793rd episode, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2014,[1] and was introduced as the father of established characters Shirley (Linda Henry) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White).

[2] Stan's storylines have mostly revolved around his relationships with Shirley, Tina and grandson Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), a sour relationship with his sister-in-law Babe Smith (Annette Badland), being involved in a love triangle between his estranged wife Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe) and established character Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), and a terminal battle with prostate cancer.

When Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) has an epileptic seizure, Stan and Shirley unite to help her and successfully deal with the issue.

Cora apologises to the Carters when her daughter Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), the prostitute, confesses that she lied about Mick.

Stan confronts Babe and reveals he knows she is hiding Shirley; this leads Mick and Dean to bring her back to Walford.

On Good Friday 2015, Dean returns to Albert Square alongside his father Buster Briggs (Karl Howman), insisting on visiting Stan at the hospital before he flees the country.

Shirley calls the police to stop Dean leaving, and he is arrested for breaking his bail conditions, which saddens Stan.

Shirley also shows up there to be with him in the middle of the night, having had a change of heart after hearing of Jim Branning's (John Bardon) death.

[2] A show spokesperson said, "Stan is no fluffy old man in a cardigan, and it won't be long before he starts manipulating the whole Carter clan from the comfort of his armchair.

"[6] Stan Carter was Canning Town born and bred, telling anyone who'll listen that he learnt everything he knows at the school of hard knocks; life is tough and a man gets on with it.

And although he might have been wary of Shirley and Mick, he knew where their weak spots lay and would do anything he could to get them back under his control...West described Stan as "tough and lonely" and "concerned" that there is nobody around him as he ages.

[8] When discussing plot lines for 2014, Treadwell-Collins said he wants to see younger characters through the eyes of their parents and not the other way around and that was part of the reason behind Stan's introduction.

[9] Stan was introduced on-screen on 27 January 2014[1] when Shirley, Mick and Tina visit him at his rundown flat needing money to fix the rising damp in their pub, The Queen Victoria.

"[13] West revealed in an interview with Claire Webb of Radio Times that he originally hated his on-screen family, but "now absolutely adores them".

'"[15] An on-screen storyline begun in May 2014 when Stan decided to loan Cora Cross, played by Ann Mitchell, money in order for her to move into a flat.

Cora and Stan's friendship progressed, to the amusement of his family and sometimes annoyance of their friend, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker).

[21] It was announced on 6 December 2014 that Stan's final Christmas would see him transform the pub's barrel store into a "winter wonderland" for him and Cora to spend time together.

[20] It was later announced that Stan's ex-wife, Sylvie (Marlowe), would return to Albert Square on Christmas Day when Mick invites her to dinner.

Digital Spy reported that Sylvie would believe that her grandson, Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) is Stan until the song, Unforgettable by Nat King Cole begins playing and she recognises her ex-husband, before dancing with him.

[27] Stan will also decide to bring his wedding day forward due to his short time left and they prepare to marry.

[28] Viewers watched Stan unable to marry Cora due to poor health on 9 April 2015, but plan to reschedule for the following day.

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer, said of West's departure, "When you have an actor of Tim's calibre joining your cast, you treasure every day that you have him - and we knew from the start that Stan's stay with the rest of the Carter family would be a finite one.

But what a stay - and as we draw towards Stan's exit from the show, the audience should get ready as one of Britain's finest actors pulls out all the stops and gives his King Lear..."[3] It was reported on 2 November 2014 that Babe Smith (Annette Badland) would grow suspicious of Stan's whereabouts and when she discovers the truth, order him to tell his family.

[31] Over a week later, it was announced that Stan would confirm he has terminal prostate cancer to his family after Babe hastily tells them at Lee's birthday meal.

[32] On 20 December 2014, Dyer revealed on The Graham Norton Show that Stan would ask Mick to help him die in a new euthanasia storyline.

[34] Digital Spy's Sophie Dainty reported in January 2015 that the Carters would clash over Stan's request to be killed by his family as Tina agrees to helping him, but Mick firmly disagrees.

Former Fawlty Towers star, Andrew Sachs, was announced to be joining the show on 10 March 2015 as Cyril Bishop, roommate of Stan when he is admitted to hospital.

[4] Following his on-screen exit, West spoke out in support of Prostate Cancer UK and signed up for the Men United campaign, "Stan was probably the archetypal bad patient.

[32] Karen Sumpter, the organisation's clinical lead, praised the storyline, "I think EastEnders has done a fantastic job of presenting the real issues men face, whilst building a believable drama.

"[32] Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said, "Stan becomes infuriated by Cyril's presence but something tells us that before the inevitable heartbreaking finale of the tale, the pair could become good friends a la Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in The Bucket List", and said that Sachs' appearance in the show is "a treat for viewers".