Greg was created as a love interest for established character, Kirsty Knight. Tim Balme auditioned and won the role, first appearing on screen in early 1994. Balme enjoyed the role and the confidence it gave him. After his contract had expired, he returned numerous times over the next 5 years to fulfill the characters storylines.
Storylines
Greg arrived, displacing Guy, who believed he had returned to woo ex-girlfriend Carmen back. It was soon revealed Greg had become Carmen's step brother and he had arrived for help with his drug addiction. Greg got a job at "Kennedy's" and had a brief fling with Alex before moving on with Kirsty. He dealt drugs to drug addict Chris Warner and soon fled town, leaving Kirsty with an HIV scare. He returned however and the relationship resumed, shortly before he started an affair with Jo and the two left together. Greg returned when he heard of Carmen's death. He started dating Kirsty once again when she suffered amnesia. However, early in the new year, Kirsty realized Greg was still a manipulative drug addict and they broke up. After beating up nurse Harry Martin for trying to set Greg up in a burglary, Greg fled Ferndale. Greg once again returned. He started to date Caroline and scammed MacKenzie Choat out of the thousands she stole from the clinic. He and Caroline broke up following the revelation he was a drug dealer. Greg once again fled town. He returned late in the year, having spent the money and getting into trouble with gangs. He got attacked and nearly died, resulting in Caroline returning to him and getting pregnant. The two left into the sunset.
Reception
Since his departure Greg has become an iconic villain on the soap. His romance with Caroline has been described as one of Shortland Street's most memorable couples. Writer, Rachel Lang, thought Balme was perfect for the role, stating:"I was at the bank and there was this guy over at the counter and I thought, 'ooh he looks dodgy', he had that kind of look about him, he's quite a chameleon." A reviewer of the soap stated in 2000 that Greg should be brought back because he made the show addictive with his "badboy" ways. Balmes portrayal was so realistic, a pharmacist refused him service whilst he was on the show fearing he was drug seeking. In 2012, the character was named as one of the standout characters of the show's first 20 years. His final scene with Caroline has been voted by fans as one of the show's most iconic moments.
