Terry is initially introduced briefly in 1996 as the drunken father of Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon) and Simon Raymond (Andrew Lynford).

Terry arrives in Albert Square in October 1996, looking for his children, Tiffany and Simon (Martine McCutcheon and Andrew Lynford).

Prior to his arrival, Terry tries writing to his children, telling them that his alcohol abuse has resulted in him being hospitalised with pancreatitis.

In the past, he had beaten Simon and had pushed Tiffany down the stairs when she was pregnant by her teacher, causing her to miscarry, so neither are happy to see Terry on his arrival in Walford.

He decides to make another attempt at a reconciliation with his children and returns to Walford in August 1997; arriving on the day Tiffany and Grant are having their marriage blessed.

Here, he begins a romance with fellow divorcée Irene Hills (Roberta Taylor), whom he had flirted with on his previous visit.

Later, Terry buys the local grocery store, 'The First Til Last', from Neelam Kapoor (Jamila Massey) and runs it with Irene.

However, Terry's early spell as owner is beset with problems, particularly the sale of adult magazines, which provokes the ire of the community.

When Janine's father Frank (Mike Reid) flees Walford, Terry takes her in and the two form an unlikely allegiance.

Margaret explains that the man in the photo was her brother, David (Michael Fenner) who is dying of cancer, and she is paying for his placement in a drug trial in America.

Terry eventually succumbs to Janine's advances, but whilst kissing her he catches a glimpse of disgust on her face and finally understands that she is using him.

A source reportedly told the press that Richards had been unhappy in the role since the exit of his on-screen wife Irene (Roberta Taylor), as he felt that he had "not been given enough juicy storylines."