Amy Barnes

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Amy Barnes
Hollyoaks
Portrayed by Ashley Slanina-Davies
First appearance 2005
Profile
Date of birth 20 July 1991
Occupation High School Student

Amy Barnes is a fictional character on the long-running Channel 4 British television soap opera Hollyoaks.

She is played by actress Ashley Slanina-Davies.

Amy has led a troubled youth due to the easiness of leading her astray, and as such she's not always held in the best regard by the rest of her family. Her parents have endured something of a fractious relationship. She is mostly led astray by her on-off best friend Michaela McQueen. She has been involved in a relationship with Josh Ashworth and more recently Ste Hay.

Contents

[edit] Brief Summary of Character History

Amy first appeared in the show being dragged along to her sister Sarah's swimming training. She was bored and jealous of the attention Sarah was getting from being a successful swimmer. At school Amy became friends with Michaela McQueen, Josh Ashworth and Josh's Cousin Jamie "Fletch" Fletcher.

Michaela introduced Amy to her boyfriend Wayne Tunnicliffe's best friend Ste Hay, who Amy then began to go out with. Michaela pressured Amy into having sex with Ste, and somewhat reluctantly, she ended up losing her virginity in the back of Ste's older brother's car. This sexual encounter was the one and only of Amy and Ste's short lived relationship.

This was the start of a highly turbulent period in Amy's life with Amy and Michaela descending into shoplifting, under-age drinking and promiscuity. After one session of under-age drinking, on her 15th Birthday, Amy met a boy called Billy. They then had unprotected sex in the bushes in a park, before returning home drunk. Amy fell pregnant from this sexual encounter. Michaela contacted Billy and took Amy and Sasha with her to meet him. There, Amy was reluctant to tell him of her pregnancy especially when Billy's memory of their encounter was so hazy Michaela had to remind him of Amy's name. Michaela told Billy about Amy's pregnancy but Billy hurriedly rejected any involvement with the child. He told Amy and Michaela that he wasn't worried anybody would find out he was the father as everyone knew "they're slags". Amy was left to to face her pregnancy alone. This was Billy's last appearance on the soap. Amy struggled to tell her family her news, a situation exacerbated by her mother's affair with Rhys Ashworth, and toyed with the idea of having an abortion, before deciding to keep her unborn child. Rebelling in attempt to forget her situation, she briefly got back with Ste Hay, with whom she often took part in joyriding and truancy. As a consequence of his joyriding, he crashed a car and Amy was left unconscious in hospital.

Josh's mum Suzanne Ashworth, who was working as a nurse at the hospital, found out about Amy's pregnancy and tried to persuade her to tell her parents, but Amy still refused. Together they listened for the baby's heartbeat, and they confirmed that the baby was still alive. Amy soon recovered and went to a court hearing where she, Michaela, Josh and Fletch were all sentenced to community service as a result of their joyriding.

Josh and Amy became close after working together on a school project, shortly after their community service. Developing feelings for Amy, Josh bought her a present and took the risk of asking her out. Following this, after asking her for help with his algebra, Josh surprised her with a family dinner. Amy felt the pressure as Suzanne hinted for her to reveal her secret, before warning her to stay away from Josh. A short break-up ensued, before Josh regained her affections by singing a song called "I'm in Love" for her at Josh's sister, Hannah Ashworth's 18th birthday party.

[edit] Baby Leah

Amy started feeling stomach pains at school. When Josh saw her in pain, she told him it was PMS. Amy's water broke on another occasion at Josh's house, leaving Josh to assume she had wet herself. Amy's dad Mike and sister Sarah delivered Amy's daughter on the kitchen floor. Initially, the family decided that Kathy would claim to be the mother; and Amy told her classmates she had a new baby sister, despite both Michaela, Sarah and her dad trying to convince her to claim the baby as her own. Amy named the baby Leah. However, in time Amy grew closer to Leah, causing controversy as Kathy had grown deluded and come to see Leah as her own daughter. The birth of Leah also caused a great deal of controversy with Amy's father Mike, who found it hard to accept. Mike forced Amy to take the contraceptive pill and to split up with Josh, who he assumed was the father of Amy's child. Mike later found a condom on the floor, leading him to believe that Amy and Josh had been sleeping together; leading him to confront Josh throwing him on a pile of bricks saying he was "going to kill" him for "what he's done", before Josh hit Mike over the head with a brick in self defence.

Once Mike had regained consciousness & his memory, Mike blackmailed Josh into leaving Amy by threatening to tell the police of his assault. Suzanne then blackmailed Mike, threatening to break the news that baby Leah was in fact, Amy's baby. As a result of constant argument with their respective sets of parents, Josh and Amy briefly ran away and lived, unsuccessfully, as squatters. When Amy called her sister Sarah for financial support, she told the police about her sisters whereabouts and while Amy was taken home, Josh was taken into custody for his assault on Mike. Amy was distraught and couldn't quite believe that Josh had any hand in hurting her father. However, over time, the two rebuilt their relationship, still against the wishes of their parents.

On Amy's 16th birthday, encouraged by her improving relationship with Josh and the respite in parental pressure upon them, Amy decided to publicly tell Josh that the baby was indeed hers; leading Josh to end their relationship. With renewed confidence, despite the break up, Amy decided it was time she took control of her life and become a real mother to her baby daughter. In her still-deluded state, Amy's mother Kathy began hiding things that Leah needed and purposefully burning clothes Amy was ironing, in order to try and make Amy look incapable of looking after the baby. At Kathy's lowest point, she kidnapped Leah, in the delusional belief that Leah was, in fact, her own baby. Kathy believes that Amy & Sarah are "selfish" and she is depressed and confused about how quickly they have grown up and no longer need her support - this is possibly why she is clinging to the idea of having a new baby daughter; a fresh start. After finding Kathy & Leah in a park and successfully retrieving the baby from her mother's arms saying to Mike and Sarah to "Get her away from me and Leah!". Amy stated "I don't want to talk to mum leave her alone!" She said this when Mike and Sarah said that next time they go and see Kathy, Amy should go with them she also said "Yeah that's me always putting my daughter first. I am so selfish!" when Sarah called Amy selfish for not wanting to see her mother.

Due to the stress she was put through in the past year, Amy failed all of her GCSEs therefore having to retake her exams during her first year of sixth form.

She managed to resolve the arguments between her best friends Sasha and Michaela over Fletch.

Amy's not happy to see Ste
Amy's not happy to see Ste

[edit] Return of an old flame

On 26th September 2007, Ste returned. He followed Amy home and shocked her by making an appearance whilst she was looking after Leah, but she threw him out and told him she didn't want to see him. The next day, Amy was meant to be seeing Josh, but he couldn't leave his mum because of his sister (Hannah) being in hospital. He stood her up so Amy went in search of Ste.

When she found him, she shouted at him, asking him how could he leave her for dead in a car crash, whilst she was pregnant, but later warmed to him when he told her he had changed. Josh, meanwhile, had left a note on her doorstep telling Amy how sorry he was, and hoped he could forgive her. Amy never saw this note, as she accidentally kicked away the rock holding it down as the was getting Leah's pram through the door, and the note blew away.

Amy started visiting Ste in his squat and bringing him food, as she obviously felt bad for him and his situation. He asked her about Josh, and she informed him that they were finished, which he took to mean she had finished with Josh to be with him. He tried to kiss her but she recoils, and explains that after everything that happened she was not interested in him like that any more. He explains that he has changed - and she tells him that she has too. She has grown up "Because I had to". This is momentous, as Amy had for a long time been acting like a spoiled brat, but has recently emerged as a responsible and thoughtful young woman.

[edit] Relationship with Ste

Amy and Michaela organised a party, as Amy's parents were away. This resulted in Michaela advertising the party details on the internet. Later, when the party was under way many unwanted guests turned up including Wayne. He got drunk and started pinching stuff from the house. He went into Amy's room and disturbed Leah whilst pinching CDs. Amy then burst in, along with Ste, and caught Wayne in the act. He then picked Leah up and threatened to drop Leah. Ste stepped in and took Leah off Wayne, gave her to Amy and punched Wayne in the face. Ste and Amy then threw everyone out of the house and Amy let Ste stay the night as he was her and Leah's 'hero'. Amy has now begun a relationship with Ste.

After the party, Amy let Ste stay at her house, as both her parents and Sarah were away. Amy was overjoyed that Ste took to Leah as well. All was going well until Mike and Kathy came back. Amy kept them away from the house for as long as possible until they wanted to go home. Amy was glad that Ste was nowhere to be seen but was also worried as he had just disappeared. Ste then returned much to the annoyance of Mike, who threw Ste out the house. Mike was about to push Ste down the stairs after he left Amy for dead in the car crash, until Ste falesly blurted out he was Leah's father. Amy went along with it for Ste's sake . Few days later, Mike got into contact with Terry, Ste's stepfather. Mike was pressuring Sarah about Amy, Ste and baby Leah's whereabouts. When they turn up at their house unexpectedly, Terry went in the room lashing out and brutally beating Ste, Amy was helpless to help Ste. She and Sarah looked horrified with baby Leah crying. Mike eventually pulled Terry off Ste and threw him out. Amy also did the same to Sarah and Mike. Being furious by this, Amy ruled out to Ste that it will only be her, Ste and Leah from now on, even though she would have to cut contact with her family.

Amy and Ste had a housewarming party where Michaela and Fletch started taking marijuana, due to Ste's mate Tommo. Amy and Ste threw him, Tommo, out immediately because of Leah but what Amy didn't know was Ste invited Tommo and asked him to bring marijuana so Amy's friends could start taking it. Due to this event, Amy's mum Kathy phoned Social Services who came and checked up on Amy. Ste hid the marijuana under a chair whilst she was there. The social worker left satisfied. Amy was furious with Mike, as she thought it was him who phoned the social worker but later found out it was Kathy. Amy invited her parents over for 'beans on toast'. During their tea, Warren barged in and comfronted Ste about his credit card. Ste admitted taking it and Warren swore revenge. Amy couldn't believe that Ste had done this and was very upset. Ste's behaviour has become very dangerous at the moment, after setting fire to Evissa, whilst Louise was trapped inside. Amy does not know about this and it is not known if she will ever find out about Stes behaviour.

[edit] Nige

Amy was upset that she couldn't provide all the things for Leahs first Christmas, like her Mum and dad. She was also annoyed that Ste didn;t seem to care, although he then managed to get a Christmas Tree and decorations for the house, pleasing Amy. Nige, one of Ste's friends, has come to stay over Christmas because of Ste owing money to him after Fletch flushed his drugs down the toilet. Amy finally decicded to throw Nige out after he broke one of Leah's Christmas presents. He told Ste he would be back, although Ste said he could keep his stash (of drugs) at the house. He also said that if Amy left, he would lose the house suggesting he wants Amy as someone to lean on when times get hard.

On January 7, 2008, returned to school after the Christmas break. At school Michaela met Nige and he gave her some 'weed' to pass on to a Year 11 pupil. She took it but realised that the year 11 wasn't there. As she was telling Amy what she had, Russ Owen walked up the stairs. She ran and threw the drugs at Amy. They dropped and ended up all over the floor just as Russ approached Amy. He confiscated them and threatened Amy that he would tell the head and she could get expelled. After school, Amy told Ste who was more bothered about paying Nige back then Amy's education. Nige then came to the house and threatened Amy if she didn't pay him back that "Nige would turn bad."

[edit] Feud with Kathy

Amy got let off for the drugs as Sarah had a word with Russ and told him Amy wasn't in too drugs. She told Ste and he was happy for her and they walked through the village. They stopped when they saw an argument between Suzanne and Kathy, about the vendetta against the Ashworths. Kathy admitted it was her saying that Josh had taken her Amy away from her and almost killed Mike (referring to when he hit him over the head with a brick) and Rhys had stopped Sarah from competing in the olympics. She was then arrested and spent the night in the cells. The next day was Ste's 18th birthday. His mother came to visit and Ste was angered by this. As revenge, he let Amy's mother in when earlier in the day Amy had said how she never wanted to see Kathy again. Amy and Kathy argued and Kathy ended up been thrown out. Amy introduced Leah to her 'grandmother' (as Pauline, Ste's mum, believes Leah is her granddaughter due to Ste saying he is Leah's dad) but refused to let her hold Leah. When she left Ste became very angry with Amy and shouted at Amy and Leah. He then assaulted her by throwing her against the wall. Amy ran to her room, locked the door and cuddled Leah, whilst crying. Ste was left banging on the door asking Amy to forgive him.

Due this incident, Amy moved back home with Leah for a short while but felt isolated as her family were arguing about Kathy and she had no-one to talk to. She talked to Michaela and she told Amy to go back to Ste, so Amy did. On January 11 2008 Ste's abusive step father Terry returned beat Ste up, he then grabbed Amy and treatened to break Amy's finger when Ste treatened to call the police. Terry then released Amy and fled. A few days after this incident Kathy left the village, Kathy said her goodbyes and left and Amy moved back in with Ste.

Recently, Amy and Ste have had various fiends staying with them. First it was Michaela, after her family accused her of taking heroin but later returned home and went to live with Niall, and secondly it was Sasha and Fletch, who wanted a place to take drugs, although Ste threw them out for Leah's sake.

On Leah's first Birthday, Amy had to wrap up the toys Leah already had as they had no money. Mike arrived and gave Amy a cheque, that Kathy had given him for two-hundred pounds. Mike then organised a party for Leah, with guests including Sarah, Zoe, Kris (who was pretending to be Zoe's boyfriend) and Michaela. Amy was wearing a neckalce that Ste 'bought her' but was later found to be stolen from Zoe. After Mike mentioned this to Ste he deicded to get revenge so as Leah was about to blow out her candles, Ste sent a video of Mike and Zoe 'cannodoling' to Amy and Sarah, shattering the Barne's relationship and ruining Leah's Birthday. Amy then decided not to talk to Ste as whenever something goes wrong, he seems to be to blame. Later on, Amy is in hysterics as the electricity goes out again, leaving the house really cold. She, once again, falls in to Ste's arms as there is no-one else to comfort her.

[edit] Money Problems

At the beginning of March 2008 Amy and Ste begin to suffer severe financial trouble, causing Ste to make an attempt to steal Carmel McQueen's bag. He accidentally blurts out a lie that he needs it, because Leah has Leukaemia.

The lie begins to spread around the town and eventually Amy finds out and the next thing she knows she begins to receive presents from Nancy Hayton who's nephew, Charlie actually has Leukaemia. She swears that she will tell her father that it is a lie, but could not, as her father finally had begun treating her like his daughter again. Later, it gets worse as Warren Fox donates Amy and Ste a Cheque to help out. After, Amy realises that she doesn't have the heart to break the truth to people she decides to go along with it and use Warren's cheque to buy food and things for Leah.

Although Amy and Ste feel guilty about lying, their plan to come clean about Leah and say shes better is made harder. Amy tried to give some money to the Charlie Fund but Nancy decided to split it with Amy, making Amy uncomfortable. Sarah then organised a journalist to write a story about Leah and Charlie in a local newspaper. This meant that everyone in the village found out. Ste bumped into Pauline, his mum, who wanted to see Leah. She came back to the flat and heard Leah's cries. Amy and Ste said it was the baby next door but Pauline found Leah in the bedroom. She then blackmailed them into giving her all the money Nancy gave them to keep quiet.

Amy and Ste found it hard to keep covering up their tracks as people kept asking questions. They were also short on money as Amy kept giving it back to charity. On the 9 April, Ste phoned Amy to tell her they had been robbed. Amy arrived back at the flat and all of their possessions had gone. Amy was devastated and confronted Ste about how the robbers got in. He eventually confessed he had made it up to get the insurance. Amy and Ste had to tell Calvin what had happened but they blurted out that it was amde up. Calvin then went and told Mike, who was shocked at his daughters behaviour. Later, Pauline turned up at the flat drunk and started saying to Ste that Amy would leave him and she wishes she had had an abortion. Ste then destroyed the doll's house he had made for Leah saying how he was useless. Amy tried to make him feel better but he told her to leave him alone and let his frustrations out, by hitting her on the face.

On 14 April, Michaela came around and realised Amy was upset. This was due to Ste hitting her but Michaela assumes Leah was getting worse. She then told Mike and Sarah who rushed to the hospital to see Leah. They phoned Amy after the nurses could not find any records of a Leah Barnes, and Amy realised the game was up. She went to the hospital and told her dad and sister that Leah was fine and that Ste and herself had made the lie up. This caused them to rush to Amy's home and take Leah from Ste and Amy's care. This resulted in a very upset Amy and Leah, so the next day Mike returned Leah to Amy and gave her a second chance.

Baby Charlie was recovering from Leukaemia and was allowed out of hospital so Amy and Ste decided it was time to tell everyone Leah was getting better. Ste told Amy to put make-up on Leah's face to make it look as if she was ill. Amy followed Stes instructions. They went to tell Mike the plan but bumped into Michaela, who made a big fuss of Leah and told Tony, who invited them to a party. They turned up and were enjoying a drink, when Mike appeared. They took him to a room at the back and explained what they had decided. Mike was disgusted and blurted out that it had been a lie all along. Amy and Ste left in shame, with Leah. The next day, Nancy came around and asked why they had done it. Amy blamed Ste for saying a little lie that got out of control. After Nancy had gone, unhappy, Amy and Ste once again argued. Amy blamed Ste for the mess they were in and said he could understand why his mother didn't want him. This upset Ste and he almost lashed out, but Amy told him 'not to touch her'. Shocked, Ste punched Amy in the stomach and she collapsed on the floor. She fled, with Leah, to her dads house but he wouldn't let her in so she sat on the floor, weeping. The next day, everything between Ste and Amy went back to normal although Amy got bullied by Lauren Valentine and Newt for lying. Michaela tried to help her best friend, but Amy just pushed her away.

[edit] Domestic Violence

Ste has hit girlfriend Amy several times during their stay in the flat. Once when Ste lost his temper he shoved Amy so hard that she bashed her head against the wall behind her. In late April, after Amy discovered that Ste had sold Sasha drugs and nearly killed her on an overdose, Amy lashed out and told Ste he was no different to his drunk mum Pauline and bullying father Terry. This caused Ste to again lose his temper and punch Amy in the face, giving her a black eye.

And in on the 8th May 2008, shortly after Leah's Leukaemia was discovered false and Nancy confronted the messed-up teens, Amy said it was Ste's idea. When Nancy left in disgust, Ste told Amy he was angry for blaming it all on him. When he pushed Amy, for the first time she hit back and shoved Ste scrambling into the wall, barking "Don't touch me!" Ste then punched her in the stomach and told her not to look at him like she did again and stormed off.

Amy then left for her family but they wouldn't answer the door, leaving Amy sobbing on the doorstep. Several times Amy has been hit by Ste, but each time he has cried over her forgiveness, Amy forgives him and they remain a struggling couple.

In the coming weeks, Ste becomes more and more violent towards Amy. After seeing her talking to Josh Ashworth, Ste starts an argument with Amy about it while she is cooking him a romantic dinner. Ste loses it and ends up throwing the boiling hot saucepan of soup all over her arm. In the morning she goes to the hospital, the doctor asks how she got burnt and she covers for him. After they leave the hospital, he apologises then tells her she made him do it. Amy forgives him and he manipulates her to believe it was all her fault, and even gets her to apologise.

Later that day Amy suggests to Ste that she get a job, leaving him angry and upset demanding her of why what he earns isn't good enough for her. Amy arrives home and Ste is already there. She is in the bathroom and Ste walks in telling her how she needs to stop trying to please her friends and says that her long hair makes her look like a child. Saying that it annoys him to no end, he takes a pair of scissors and cuts her long plait of hair off, leaving her hair length at just her shoulders. Amy breaks down crying and tells him to stop it, and he asks her to give him one good reason why. Amy tells him she is pregnant with his baby, although she isn't.

[edit] Family

[edit] Relationships

[edit] External links