Characterisation and introduction Raf was initially billed as being "brilliant and highly driven". McFadden said Raf was a moral man and "single-minded" in his career. While the show's official website describes Raf as being "demanding" and "stubborn" when it comes to his career.
Friendships Raf befriended his colleague
Serena Campbell (
Catherine Russell) as he treated her mother. Russell called it "a real genuine, burgeoning friendship and warmth between Serena and Raf." Raf also developed a friendship with AAU Ward Manager
Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher (
Alex Walkinshaw). Fletch became "a real ally" for Raf during his marriage troubles. McFadden described Fletch as being "a guiding light", as he helped Raf through some dark times. The actor approved of the friendship and said he enjoyed working with Walkinshaw. Their friendship was tested when Fletch asked Raf to babysit while he took the hospital's new psychiatrist Naomi Palmer (Lorna Brown) out on a date. Raf was "disgruntled" and reminded Fletch that he had responsibilities at home. It soon emerged that Raf and Amy were struggling to conceive a child and their fertility issues were putting a strain on their marriage. They undergo
IVF treatment, but it fails. While Raf feels that "it wasn't meant to be", Amy refuses to accept it and the couple are briefly estranged. Shortly after the failed IVF attempt, Amy announces that she is pregnant. However, Raf was unaware that Amy had had a one-night stand with Harry, meaning he might not be the baby's father. Amy later proposed that she and Raf move to Copenhagen, but Raf quickly "shoots down" the suggestion. Raf did not react with anger or violence, instead he was calm about the revelation. McFadden explained, "A lot of people would lash out if they discovered their spouse had cheated on them. But Raf believes there are better ways to get revenge. Rest assured, Harry will pay for what he's done!" Obstetrician
Derwood Thompson (
Ben Hull) explained to Amy that Raf's chances of being the father were low due to his fertility issues. She then told Raf that she was going to keep the baby no matter what the results of the paternity test were. The scan revealed that Amy was expecting a son, which "only serves to highlight the growing cracks" in Raf and Amy's marriage. Raf continued to struggle with Amy's betrayal, causing problems for the couple. When Harry returned to Holby, he set about trying to clear his name, but struggled to convince Serena that Raf set him up. Knight explained that no one believes Harry, as he has made previous mistakes and is accusing a senior doctor of trying to kill a patient. Kweh said Amy was "flummoxed" by Raf's demand, but she then found herself going into early labour. Both Raf and Harry are present at the birth, and Amy later hears that Raf has been to see the baby and that he blames himself for their marital problems. Kweh added that Amy "feels hope and sadness" by the moment. Cara expressed her concern about Lucy's reasons for having the operation, especially after she learned Lucy was a victim of domestic violence. Raf was put out when Cara then suggested Lucy should meet with a psychiatrist, as he felt he had missed the signs with his own patient. Producer Simon Harper commented that the storyline would "test" Cara and Raf's relationship. McFadden told Allison Jones of
Inside Soap that Cara and Raf were foolish to take on Sean, as he was a hardened criminal, while Jed was "a bit of a law unto himself". Walsh agreed, saying "They'd not be lovey-dovey of affectionate at all – they're the kind of people who'd always be keeping each other on their toes. That's definitely their dynamic – which is actually quite like Joe and me in real life, to be honest!" Raf initially believes that Sian is not serious about their date, but she soon turns up on AAU and he feels a bit intimidated by her, as she knows what she wants. McFadden explained that Raf decides to go out with Sian when it appears Cara is not interested in pursuing a relationship with him. However, the kiss only proved to Cara that she was not over her ex-husband, while Fletch was forced to point out to Raf that Cara was not ready for a new romance. Raf realises that he is not "sophisticated enough" for a
friends with benefits arrangement, as he soon develops feelings for Essie. McFadden commented, "He was never supposed to do that, but Raf being Raf he's a bit of a sentimentalist and got attached to her." The actor hoped Raf and Essie's relationship would be explored more in the future, adding that with Essie's former partner
Sacha Levy's (
Bob Barrett) jealousy and their desire to have a family of their own, it would be "an interesting dynamic". McFadden thought that the couple would have a quiet wedding, as Raf has been married before and it ended very publicly. Essie's former partner Sacha is upset when he learns the news, but he knows that they are not suited. McFadden commented, "It's an interesting dynamic having Sacha in the mix and Essie being slightly torn because she obviously still has some feelings for him but doesn't want to be with him any more." The actor, who was competing on
Strictly Come Dancing at the time, said that he wanted to pursue other acting roles, including live entertainment. Raf's exit was kept out of spoilers for "maximum impact". The actor added that he was partly relieved that Raf was being killed off, as he would be tempted to return to the show and he wanted to go without a "safety net for a while." McFadden expressed his delight at reprising his role, calling it "one of the happiest jobs" in his career. He explained that Raf returns to guide Essie in a "touching" episode. Raf returns in the
twenty-second series, in an episode broadcast on 21 July 2020. ==Reception==