aidan "ade" critchley, played by dean ashton, made his first appearance on 12 april 2002. ashton had previously appeared in bit parts on tv shows, before securing the role of aidan after three auditions. he commented, "i've never really had a proper part before. i've enjoyed myself more because i've made the role of aidan critchley my own." ashton told billy sloan of the "sunday mail" that he enjoyed portraying aidan as he got to act out things he would never do in real life. he thought aidan was an attention seeker and "a bit of a show-off," while sloan described him as "obnoxious" and a character viewers loved to hate. the writer also observed, "he's every school teacher's worst nightmare... and the boy next door from hell for every mother." ashton explained that he got into character when he put on aidan's trademark black leather jacket and eyebrow ring. he also thought that aidan's upbringing had something to do with his bad actions and attitude.