Darren Thompson

Darren Thompson was a nurse who attended to Val Pollard after she was admitted to Hotten General.

Whilst looking after Val he meets Val's employee Finn Barton and they begin a relationship. Finn's best friend Victoria Sugden recognises Darren from one of Val's HIV lectures. Finn is not fazed by him being HIV positive but Val, who herself is HIV positive and Finn's mother Emma are not pleased. Darren receives text messages telling him to stay away from Finn. He initially believes Finn himself is behind the texts. After making up with Finn, Darren's car is vandalised. He again accuses Finn, who's phone was found inside the car. Darren leaves and Finn vows to find out who has been trying to mess up his relationship. Val confides in her husband Eric that she is behind everything, saying she was doing it for Finn's own good as their relationship was put under pressure due to her status. Eric makes Val confess to Finn, who forgives her and he and Darren get back together. Finn pretends to be a vegetarian to impress Darren, but he ends up getting fed up with Darren, but doesn't dump him as he doesn't want to upset him. After Val overhears Darren talking to David Metcalfe in his shop, she believes that Darren is going to propose. She tells Finn, who does his best to try and put Darren off him. Darren dumps Finn in The Woolpack and gets back with his ex-boyfriend.