Dan was a friend of Gary and Mark Hughes.
In September 1989, Dan talks Mark into taking a shotgun out of the gun cabinet for him so he can hunt rabbits; he doesn't know how to use it because he lives on an estate. When outside, he jokingly points the gun at Joe Sugden and a few others. Joe slaps Mark in the face, and Dan goes home.
In January 1990, Dan, Gary and Mark set up mink traps but ended up trapping the Sugdens' puppy, which was quickly freed and was fine. At Rachel Hughes party in June 1990, Rachel secretly spikes the punch with vodka, Joe spikes it with wine and Dan and Gary spike it with other alcohols, all unaware that it's already been spiked. Rachel then collapses with alcohol poisoning.
In February 1991, Dan and Gary encourage Mark to ask out his crush Paula Barker, who agrees to a date with him. However, their relationship is short lived. Dan and Gary pull a trick on Sarah Connolly by giving her a Valentines card without a name, but Sarah hears them sniggering.
In October 1991, Mark and Dan spend Halloween going around in their masks and scaring the women of the village, and they plan to take their revenge on the boys by throwing a bucket of water over them. However, Chris Tate and Alex get soaked instead.
In March 1992, Dan and Gary invite some of their friends to Mark's party, but their friends turn violent and beat Jack Sugden with a plank of wood. Dan tries chatting up some of the female holiday-stayers at the Holiday Village in August 1992, but ends up being pushed into the pool.