Paul Hankin (Leigh Cranston) 1999-2006 Duration: EP: 160, 164, 174 - 175, 201, 203, 208, 216, 226, 231 - 232, 236, 260, 283, 295, 302, 313, 315, 318, 350, 365, 369, 380, 383 SE: 3.20, 3.24, 3.34 - 3.35, 3.61, 4.1, 4.6, 4.14, 4.24, 5.3 - 5.4, 5.8, 5.32, 6.23, 7.3, 7.10, 7.21, 7.23, 7.26, 8.26, 9.9, 9.13, 9.24, 9.27 HUFC could have held a whole media relations course on Paul Hankin, such was the Harchester Chronicle hack's reputation. Despite an admission to Gordon Gallagher that he was no fan of football, he seemed to spend more time gathering stories on the club, and notably its employees, than any other topic. He came on the scene a short time after Harchester had moved to its new stadium, and wasted no time showing how he intended to carry on. Early stories, or skullduggery, included… Taking advantage of the unprepared Didier when he isn't used to his personal life being questioned, and being the publisher of a number of private stories leaked to the Chronicle by a mystery source. When the latest of these stories is about Ray Wyatt's wife Kitty having been a prostitute in her native Thailand, Ray holds Hankin by the throat until he admits it was Gordon who sold him the stories. When Ann arranges Kelly speak with Hankin following Wes and Fletch's fight, believing it will be a good opportunity to put her side across, it predictably does not go well, and Hankin wanting detail on what sleeping with Fletch was like is met with her calling him a pervert. Surviving relegation, Hankin is determined to prove Didier was the Harchester player who took a bung, and thinks he has got the scoop when Victoria is about to sell the story. Hankin forces his way into Didier's room where he tells him the only option left is to speak to him, and make one-hundred grand which he’ll need as he's never going to play for United again. As the end of the season approaches, Victoria gives Hankin another story - how Ray is the father of Lynda's baby. When the stress brings on a miscarriage, Hankin yells whether Lynda has tried to kill herself, and receives a satisfying slap from Lizzie. A new season and new management team at Harchester, and Hankin gets to play a part in his dream journalistic role - bringing down a dodgy manager! Alan Rothman has his hand in the till whenever he sells a player, so Hankin and Spears organise a fake meeting and record Alan with how much he’ll make when taking Stevie to Milan. Danny Rawsthorne is spooked when Hankin asks what was behind his dad's comment that he is about as Irish as Monday Bandele? Getting the story from Joe that he isn't Danny's biological father, Hankin reveals tomorrow's Chronicle front page cover "Rawsthorne Dupes Ireland" to which Danny tears the page adding he can't hurt him anymore, as he boards the ill-fated coach to the UEFA Cup Final. Hankin's next endeavor involves he obtaining photos of Marcel with a mystery man suggesting he is his lover. The man turns out to be Marcel's therapist, but Hankin still gets a payday before this is revealed, when Pilar pays him off for the photographs. The arrival of superstar Luke Davenport brings Hankin a story he wasn't expecting. A minor bump between cars results in Luke being spotted paying a discreet visit to a private clinic, and Hankin digs to discover Luke's father was treated by an ophthalmologist. But when Luke calls Hankin’s bluff and questions him about the name of his condition, Hankin cannot answer as that's all he has. This season also sees Hankin show his worth as a journalist when Marcel presents him with a case of major corruption at the club, where Stuart and Pilar plot to throw a game to bankrupt the club and Sheik Al Shaziz then buys on the cheap. The liquidation goes ahead, and Hankin lets Abi know that Marcel knew of the Sheik’s deal with Pilar and was paid off by being offered a move to Roma. Hankin threatens an ‘Irish Lovenest’ exclusive on Marcel and Abi, and receives another whack instead. Paul gets the chance to out another player, this time Frank Stone, although it is Frank's father-in-law and former manager who tips Hankin off about the story. When Frank goes to a rent-boy the paper approached, Hankin is ready to get the money-shot. When it looks like the story will die off, Barker gives Hankin Curtis, who witnessed Frank with a lover. Hankin gives Curtis an ultimatum - tell him what he saw or he will write another story where Curtis is involved. When Harchester's million-pound goal bonus is won by Eugene Rose, Hankin plots a piece on how Gavin was ‘robbed’ of his deserved million by ‘Football's Bad Boy'. Cindi, believing the club have fired Gavin, spills to Hankin that Eugene should be the one fired after he tried to bribe Gavin into giving him his place in the team. After Amy's false allegation, Felix and Chloe give Hankin the story of her having an affair with married father Danny Sullivan to discredit her. But when Amy backs down on Felix, it is too late to stop Hankin revealing all and ruining lives. Secret Harchester owner Casper tips off Hankin in his plot to frame Ryan for match fixing due to his worries of not being able to impress Sven while he's out, and Ryan being in the ref's room at yesterday's match. And with that, Hankin's work was done!