Benji McHugh

Benjamin "Benji" McHugh is a fictional character from Channel 5 soap opera Family Affairs. He first appeared during the episode broadcast 29 January 1999, and departed on 26 December 2003. He was played by Junior Laniyan until 2001, and Mark McClean from 2002 to 2003.

Storylines

After moving into Charnham with his mother and sister, Benji falls in love with his school teacher Maggie Roswell (Robyn Moore), who is married with two young sons. She leaves her husband Geoff, running away with Benji and taking her sons with them. After a while on the run, Maggie encourages Benji to give up and return to Charnham. Whilst being chased by the authorities, Maggie's car crashes, leaving her, Benji and her sons trapped inside. Benji manages to save the boys from the wreck but before he can return, the car explodes and Maggie is killed. Geoff initially blames Benji for Maggie's death and leaves Charnham with his sons. To get over everything, Benji goes on holiday to Jamaica, where Dusty has moved to. He returns to Charnham a new man.

Benji and Yasmin's aunt, Pearl takes over the running of Dusty's shop and looks out for them. Benji begins dating Donna Lewis (Petra Letang), but things never quite work out. Several months later, Benji begins dating a newly arrived Sara Warrington, but Sara eventually goes on a date with Benji's friend, Arlo Dean. When revising for his exams and getting drunk, Benji reveals his true feelings for his neighbour Gemma Craig, who has previously dated Arlo. Later that year, Benji receives a shock when he comes face to face with his estranged father, William, who had walked out on him and Yasmin when they were very young. Although Yasmin is keen to get to know William, Benji refuses until William's girlfriend, Kim reveals that he was suffering from end-stage renal disease. Benji and William later start and maintain a relationship, keeping in contact.

Benji begins to suffer from bullying in sixth form at the hands of Jason Harris, a racist. One night whilst coming home from a date with Gemma, Benji is attacked by Jason, who is wielding an Iron bar. Declan Byrne. A local resident manages to defuse the situation. With the arrival of Paul Webb, things between Benji and Gemma become strained and she eventually begins going out with Paul. Benji leaves Charnham and returns to Jamaica.

Several months after Dusty's death in 2002, Benji returns to Charnham. He has several relationships including Chris Jacobs and Becky Scott. Benji begins dating Kelly Boulter, but things fall apart when Kelly admits that Justin MacKenzie is the father of her baby. Benji then leaves Charnham for good.

Development

Benji is described as a schoolboy overshadowed by his loud mother Dusty, and sister Yasmin Green. They live in an apartment above Dusty's store, the local newsagent in Stanley Street, Charnham.