User:Bluebolt94/Dirk Savage

Dirk Savage is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by David Kennedy. Dirk is the father of Liberty (Abi Phillips) and Will (James Atherton) and stepfather of Dodger (Danny Mac). He made his first on-screen appearance on April 2011.

Creation and development
In March 2011, it was announced that Liberty's family would be introduced to Hollyoaks. Actor David Kennedy was cast in the role of Dirk Savage, the father of Liberty, Will and Dodger. Of the family, a Hollyoaks spokesperson added: "The new family will take the village by storm and are set to rub all the McQueens up the wrong way. The Savage family get evicted from their home when Dirk can't keep up with the payments. Liberty is furious to come home and find her house all boarded up but big brother Dodger has a new house for them to live in! While the McQueens are away on holiday, Dodger moves his family into the empty house and declares squatters' rights! How will the McQueens react to their new housemates?" Dirk is described as sharing "many traits with Dodger". He also "tries to charm show regular Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane)". Barber-Lane said she really enjoyed working with Kennedy and hopes that they will share some more scenes together adding that more interaction between them is needed.

In December 2011, Hollyoaks producer Emma Smithwick said she wants to see more of the Savages. In August 2012, storylines reveal that Dirk is not the biological father of his supposed son Dodger. Asked how Dodger feels about Dirk not being his real father, Mac said "It massively affects him, every single day. Because family is so important to him, it's one of the biggest things for him to deal with."

Storylines
Dirk arrives with his family and squats in the McQueen household. He charms Myra into letting him move his camper van into their front garden. The pair have a casual fling, much to the annoyance of the rest of the McQueen household. Dirk later supports Liberty through her exam results.