Dan Baker | |||||||||||||||||||
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Home and Away character | |||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Tim Campbell | ||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 2004–2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 1 September 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 28 November 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Julie McGauran | ||||||||||||||||||
Book appearances | Home and Away: Mayday | ||||||||||||||||||
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Daniel David "Dan" Baker is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tim Campbell. The actor has appeared in the series prior to taking the regular role of Dan in 2004. Dan is characterised as a "likeable, committed and passionate" man. He grew up in a small rural town and developed a liking for nature. Dan is a school councilor and many of his storylines involve his family unit. Dan's most prominent relationship is shared with Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou). But their relationship is tested following the introduction of Dan's ex-wife Amanda Vale (Holly Brisley). She claims that Dan used to hit her and even attempts to sabotage his wedding. He is the brother of Peter (Nicholas Bishop) a police officer whose occupation endangers Dan's life. He also has to deal with a gambling addiction, which Campbell carried out research to portray.
Campbell decided to leave the show in 2007 and filmed his final scenes on 5 October. The character was killed in an abseiling accident off-screen. Writers deemed the exit the only plausible option due to the popularity of Dan and Leah's relationship. Critics from the Birmingham Mail, The Sun-Herald and The Newcastle Herald have praised the role only because of Dan's attractive appearance, while writers from the Sunday Mercury criticised Dan and Leah's on-screen partnership.