Lord Alex Oakwell

Maxwell told Linda Udall of The People that he was "absolutely thrilled" to get the part of Alex. He explained "Landing a part in Emmerdale is the biggest thing that has happened in my career. It's such a fantastic opportunity for me. I went for an audition on a Thursday morning, I was offered the part in the afternoon and started filming the following Monday. It's been absolutely incredible." Maxwell said he was unsure what was in store for his character, but he hoped it would be juicy. He believed that he was going to enjoy the part and added "I've never played a lover before and I'm looking forward to getting some experience at this particular role." Maxwell made his debut screen appearance as Alex on 9 July 1997. ==Development==

Maxwell described Alex as "a sexy young aristocrat" and said he did not think he was anything like his character. Of Alex, Maxwell later said "I have to find a positive side to his character but I have to admit it can be pretty hard with a person like Alex. He is weak-willed, arrogant and motivated by self-preservation. He is certainly not going to be the most popular person in Emmerdale." King told Helen Childs of Inside Soap that Kim finds Alex's title very attractive, as soon as she learnt he was a lord, he became more fanciable to her. Childs said it was an added bonus that Alex happened to be "handsome toy-boy material as well." Opacic said Steve did not know Kim and Alex had begun an affair, as he assumed a lord would not be interested in a middle-class woman like Kim. During the soap's 25th anniversary episode broadcast in late 1997, Alex caused the death of regular character Linda Fowler (Tonicha Jeronimo). While attending Kim's engagement party at Home Farm, Alex was caught snorting cocaine in the bathroom. The episode was described as being "dramatic" and "action-packed" by a writer for Inside Soap. Linda's brother, Roy (Nicky Evans), tracked him down to London, where he was found to be involved in a drugs gang. While being chased across a roof, Alex slipped and fell to his death. ==Storylines==

Lord Alex Oakwell and his fiancée, Tara Cockburn (Anna Brecon), form a partnership with local businesswoman Kim Tate (Claire King) at Home Farm Estates. Alex soon begins an affair with Kim, even though she is engaged to Steve Marchant (Paul Opacic). Alex and Tara marry, but Alex continues his affair with Kim, until Steve discovers them and warns Kim that Alex has an ulterior motive. Kim continues to build her partnership with Alex, but she eventually questions his character when she catches him taking cocaine in the midst of her engagement party. During the party, Alex flirts with local vet nurse Linda Fowler (Tonicha Jeronimo) and he offers to take her home, to which Linda agrees. Alex takes more cocaine, and Linda has to fight him off when he attempts to molest her. Alex loses control of his car and crashes into a tree, injuring Linda. He then moves an unconscious Linda to the driver's seat and flees the area, after kissing her goodbye. As a result, Linda is incriminated for causing the car accident and she later dies in hospital. A few months later, Alex returns to the village and feigns remorse for killing Linda to Tara, who attempts to use this opportunity to get revenge by agreeing to leave the country and start anew with him. However, Alex betrays Tara when he takes her jewellery and leaves without her – leaving Tara heartbroken. Alex takes Linda's father Ned Glover (Johnny Leeze) and her husband Biff Fowler (Stuart Wade) hostage at gunpoint, before kidnapping Steve, Linda's colleague, vet Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) and Ned's friend Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell). Though he loses control of the siege when Paddy injects one of Alex's henchmen before he can shoot Zak dead, Alex manages to flee the village. Ten months later, Linda's younger brother Roy Glover (Nicky Evans) learns that Alex has resurfaced in London and sets out to avenge Linda's death. Teaming up with Dan Campbell (Richard Dillane), a detective sergeant who worked undercover in Alex's empire to investigate his criminal activities, Roy pursues Alex and they fight on a roof. Alex ends up hanging from the edge of the roof, and pleads for Roy to help him. Roy reluctantly attempts to help Alex to safety, but Alex loses his grip and falls to his death. ==Reception==

Linda Udall of The People said "Maxwell looks like he could have stepped straight from the pages of a Jilly Cooper sex and saddle saga. In skin-tight jodhpurs, black leather riding boots and flexing a horse whip in his hands he positively oozes sex appeal." Tony Purnell of the Daily Mirror branded Alex a "cad" and said he was "turning into the biggest baddie on the box." writing that "Lady of the Manor Kim got more than she bargained for when she found out that aristocrat Alex was due to get married to Tara." ==References==