information about the character first surfaced at the end of 2008 when it was revealed he had been created as a new boss of the underworld factory, to replace character carla connor, while the actress went on maternity leave. speaking of the character and plans for him a spokesperson for the soap opera said: "it looks like tony may have met his match in luke strong. he’s a bit of a mystery man and tony doesn't know what his motives are for buying into the business or how he knows carla. luke is certainly going to make things difficult for mr gordon." later background information of the character was revealed and what links the character had to other character within the show. this was that luke went to secondary school with the character of carla in september 1986 to june 1991. in his teenage years he romanced her and they became good friends and he became friends with carla's boyfriend and future husband paul. luke then lost contact with carla after she and paul married in 1999 and started to run his own business.