Minty Peterson

Minty Peterson
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Cliff Parisi
Duration	2002–10
First appearance	11 March 2002
Classification	Present; regular (departing)
Introduced by	John Yorke
In-universe information Occupation Mechanic Wife Heather Trott (2008–09)

Richard "Rick" Peterson (better known by his nickname, Minty) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Cliff Parisi. He made his first appearance on 11 March 2002. His nickname was given to him because he was always late for work, turning up "after eight" when he was an apprentice mechanic. In April 2010 it was reported that the character was to be axed due to the lack of storylines. It is expected that he will leave the square will Sam Mitchell.

Creation and development

Minty was originally scripted as a guest character in 2002. He was only due to appear in a few episodes, but actor Cliff Parisi's contract was extended and Minty was turned into a series regular. Originally scripted as a less sympathetic character than he went on to become, Minty was given a backstory linking him to the character Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

Parisi has indicated that he was brought back in 2003 to be the friend of Phil, something that he enjoyed as off-screen Parisi and Phil's actor, Steve McFadden, are long-time friends. He comments, "I've known Steve for years, ever since we both started out acting, but we had never worked together before so it was terrific." When McFadden announced that he would be going on a hiatus in 2003, Parisi feared for his character's future in the serial, however the character was kept on. Parisi commented, "I didn't know [Steve] was moving on and it was as much of a surprise to me as anyone else - partly because we don't talk about work much but also because everyone is cagey about discussing storylines, even with each other. It's all top secret. I was disappointed because I was enjoying working with him. I did think it might spell the end for Minty. I was always going to be Phil's friend so they weren't sure what to do with me. But they've kept him and I'm obviously really pleased."

Parisi has described Minty as a "Mr I-can-get-it, I-can-sort-it type". However he adds, "[Minty] never really gets round to either getting it or sorting it. His intentions are always good but he never does it properly so there's a bit of a comedy element and he has a mischievous streak to him."

Minty was paired as friends with another male bachelor, Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves); on-screen both worked together as mechanics and eventually moved in with each other as flat mates. Storylines featuring the characters together have been typically comical, and both actors have described the two characters as "light", fun loving and drama-free, giving viewers a break from the more serious plotlines that are featured in the soap. Groves has commented, "Garry and Minty are the light in the dark. [They're] not gangsters or love triangle material. [They] break up the drama with laughs so it's not all doom and gloom. It can't all be about teenage pregnancies."

Parisi stated in 2004 that he wanted to stay with the show long-term. However, in April 2010 it was announced that the character had been axed along with five others by the new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of a plan to "breathe new life into the show".

Storylines

Minty first appears as the unsympathetic landlord of Janine Butcher and Laura Beale. Laura asks Phil Mitchell to have a word with Minty about his frequent demands for rent but the two turn out to be old friends. In November 2003, Phil is arrested for armed robbery; he asks Minty to look after his sister, Sam. Minty falls in love with Sam but is unable to stop her relationship with Andy Hunter, who really wants control of Sam's assets. Minty tries on several occasions to stop Sam marrying Andy, even proposing himself, but she marries Andy regardless.

Minty moves into a flat with fellow mechanic Garry Hobbs after saving him from a suicide attempt. They became good friends, however, problems develop in 2006, when Minty falls for Australian stripper SJ Fletcher. SJ uses Minty for his money and Minty falls out with Garry when he voices his dislike for SJ. It transpires that a man named Sid Clarke, who SJ claims is her brother, is really her boyfriend and both are embroiled in a plan to con Minty out of his money. SJ's games are eventually uncovered when Minty, on Garry's instruction, catches her in bed with Sid. She flees the next day, leaving Minty devastated.

When Garry's mother Hazel comes to Walford in April 2007, Minty is attracted to her and they begin dating, despite Garry's objections. The relationship progresses quickly due to a misunderstanding that leads Hazel to believe Minty has proposed. She accepts and the wedding plans go ahead with encouragement from Heather Trott, who enters them into a bride and groom magazine competition so they can win their dream wedding. Hazel and Minty are selected as finalists, but in January 2008 the couple face an upset after Hazel tells Minty she is pregnant. Minty is overjoyed, but it turns out that Hazel has, in fact, missed her period because she is menopausal. Sensing Minty's disappointment, Hazel decides to leave so he can find another woman to give him a child. Minty becomes depressed, but Heather convinces him to go through with the wedding so they can claim the competition's cash prize. Heather pretends to be Hazel, and she and Minty bond as they spend time together; Heather soon develops feelings for Minty. In April 2008, Hazel returns wanting Minty back. Minty, however, refuses to leave his friends, so he marries Heather instead. Heather hopes that the marriage is genuine, but Minty breaks her heart a few weeks later when she catches him kissing another woman. Minty reveals that he only sees Heather as a friend, and as the marriage was never consummated, Heather arranges an annulment.

Minty attends a pottery class in March 2009 and meets Phil's old girlfriend, Manda Best, whom he has not seen for 20 years. It is revealed that Minty had a crush on Manda in their youth, and when Manda discovers this, they begin dating. He tries to move things further with their relationship but she resists with the excuse of having early classes to prepare for. Minty becomes suspicious that Manda is embarking on an affair with Phil. Despite his relief that she isn't, he discovers that Phil is actually having an affair with Garry's girlfriend Dawn Swann. Minty tells her either she tells Garry or he will. Dawn spares Garry's feelings and goes to stay with her mother Rosie. He asks if Manda is available to spend time with him, but she states that she is expecting a call from Adam, her son.

Minty discovers that Heather is pregnant, after being punched by her friend Shirley Carter, who believed he was the father. However it is yet not known who the father is. Unbeknown to Minty, after an argument about the possibility that he is the father Heather's unborn baby, Manda decides to contact Heather on his mobile and states that she will support her throughout the pregnancy.

Dawn returns, and her affair with Phil continues, but Phil ends it. However, she remains in love with him. Garry eventually suspects that Dawn doesn't love him and Minty threatens to tell the truth. Dawn confronts Garry, and they announce their engagement at the Vic. But Minty finally tells Garry the truth and he jilts Dawn on her wedding day. Garry decides to leave Walford on his boat, and Dawn chases him, declaring her love. Minty says a tearful goodbye as Dawn, her daughter Summer and Garry sail away. Manda then moves in with Minty when she is kicked out of her flat.

Minty bumps into Sam in The Queen Victoria where she is in hiding after returning from Brazil where she has been for four years. She promises Minty they will catch up and gives him her number, but he later throws it away. When Manda's son Adam comes to stay, he finds the number in the bin and asks Minty about Sam. He explains that they are just friends.

When Minty finds out that Darren Miller fathered Heather's baby, he is angry with Manda for not telling him when she found out, as Heather was his wife. Minty later apologises, saying he overreacted, when Manda says she was asked to keep a secret. Manda finds out that Minty has been hiding Sam and says it is worse than her secret as she was not harbouring a fugitive. She realises that text messages Minty has been receiving were from Sam and not Garry, as he had told her. Adam tries to stir things up by saying that Minty fantasises about Sam, which Minty does not deny but says it was years ago. However, Manda and Minty later agree that they are even.

At a hen party, Manda reveals that Minty disappears at regular times and does not tell her where he is going. She realises he is having an affair and tells Adam, who searches for evidence and finds a letter Sam has sent him from prison. Manda starts avoiding Minty so he arranges for him to give him a pottery lesson, recreating the famous scene from Ghost. She asks him why he has been visiting Sam in secret. He admits that he has feelings for Sam but says he wants a future with Manda. She admits that when she came to Walford she was hoping to reunite with Phil and has feelings for him, so she says they should call an end to their relationship, and she leaves Walford.

Reception

In 2007, a line said by the character, referencing the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 where 96 people died in a human crush during a football match, received complaints. On-screen, Minty discussed the event as part of a storyline covering football hooliganism, saying "Five years out of Europe because of Heysel, because they penned you lot in to stop you fighting on the pitch, and then what did we end up with – Hillsborough." A proportion of viewers were concerned that the programme was equating the Hillsborough tragedy to hooliganism. The Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) has suggested that the scriptwriters' reference was irrelevant, with one commenting, "Hillsborough was proven not to be hooliganism. Do the BBC not realise 96 people died and many families are still suffering?". In response to the complaints, the BBC said, "Minty was actually reminding Jase [Dyer] that football hooliganism at Heysel led directly to the fencing-in of fans at football matches. He points out that this had tragic consequences - for the innocent spectators at Hillsborough. The BBC apologises if this remark was misinterpreted or caused any offence."

A storyline airing in 2008 featuring Minty and his friend Garry line dancing in cowboy outfits to traditional country and western music, received complaints from actual line dancers. One line-dancer told BBC News, "Really, I think they were making a mockery of line-dancers. Line-dancing is a great form of dance, a great form of exercise - I don't like it when I see people making fun of it." Steve Healy, editor of a line-dancing website, added, "People say line-dancing isn't cool, but you've had line-dancers who have gone on to dance with Kylie [Minogue] on-stage and choreograph stage shows. Line-dancing gets kids doing some sports and off the street."

Garry Bushell, TV critic for the Daily Star, has questioned why Minty would kiss Heather Trott: "What shock, what horror. You watched with mounting disbelief as the nightmare unfolded. Yes, Minty really did snog Heather Trott. Why? Why would he? Why would anybody? She's not exactly a F.I.L.F. (Fatty I'd Like to [Fuck]) She's not even his type — Minty's love-life has turned into an episode of Supersize v Superskinny [Heather v Hazel]".

Cliff Parisi and Ricky Groves were given the "Best Double Act" trophy at the All About Soap Bubble Awards in 2007, for their portrayal as screen friends Minty and Garry.

External links

• Minty Peterson at BBC Online