Danny arrives as a drama supply teacher at Hollyoaks High to organise a production with John Paul. He becomes attracted to Danny and asks him about his sexual preference. He remains secretive and later kisses John Paul. They begin working with Tilly Evans (Lucy Dixon) and Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks). He goes on a date with John Paul but when she is offered a permanent position at the college, he tells John Paul nothing more can happen between them. Danny changes his mind and arranges a date with John Paul and they sleep together. But once the school holidays begin Danny ignores John Paul's calls. He soon returns to take up his permanent teaching post and successfully pleads for another chance with John Paul. Danny becomes worried when headteacher Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) mentions that he has acquired job references, he warns Danny not to involve his personal life with his professional role. Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) decides to contact Ste's biological father and he is revealed to be Danny. When John Paul forgets about their date, Danny retaliates by flirting with Ste. They get drunk and go back to Ste's flat. Danny runs off when he finds the birthday card he sent to Ste and Pauline's photograph. John Paul presumes that Danny has slept with Ste and attacks him. Danny denies this and tells John Paul he has a son but does not name Ste. Danny has sex with John Paul before going to meet up with his secret wife Sam. He continues to see John Paul and deceive Sam. His student Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham) discovers their affair and threatens to tell Sam if he does not prevent his expulsion from the college. Doug Carter (PJ Brennan) later figures out that Danny is Ste's father. Doug confronts Danny and Danny admits to being Ste's father. At Ste's and Doug's leaving party, a bomb is detonated by Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix), killing Doug. Danny later finds Ste at the deli with a bottle of vodka and pills. Danny tries to stop Ste from committing suicide and Ste tells Danny that he doesn't even know him and that he is nothing to him. Danny then tells Ste that he means everything to him because he is his son.
