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List of Doctors characters introduced in 2013–2014

Gordon Clement, portrayed by Steven Elder, initially appeared between 15 February 2013 to 3 May 2013. He returned between 17 December 2018 to 13 February 2019. He was introduced as a love interest for established character Mrs Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw). He is a reverent that works at St Bernadette's church in Letherbridge, which Mrs Tembe attends. Gordon is Mrs Tembe's first love interest in her tenure on the soap and Digital Spy journalist Daniel Kilkelly was excited that Mrs Tembe "was finally given" one. Laidlaw had suggested the idea of their relationship to producers when she told them that she wanted Mrs Tembe to have a relationship. She told ''Inside Soap'': "I'm so excited someone has the hots for Mrs Tembe. I told the producers I wanted her to fall in love with someone, and now its happening. The audience will see her in a new light." At first, the relationship is shown to be awkward and formal, with the two not using each other's first names. Laidlaw joked: "It'll be time to get the confetti out when they refer to each other as Winifred and Gordon!"

Karen Hollins (Jan Pearson) hopes to introduce Gordon to Mrs Tembe, not realising that they had already met. Gordon asks Mrs Tembe to listen to him about some changes he has in mind for the church, to which she is "slightly suspicious" but flattered to be asked. Mrs Tembe is flustered when Gordon reveals that the bishop is coming to see him, since she does not want the bishop to know of their relationship and "think her a loose woman". To her relief, the bishop confirms that he has no intention of criticising or breaking them apart. Their relationship becomes less awkward when they both become honest about wanting a physical relationship. Gordon decides to "take the bull by the horns" by inviting her over for a romantic dinner. She gets nervous and locks herself in the toilet to think, and when she emerges, Gordon has given up and called a taxi for her. However, she surprises him by leaning in for a kiss and asking to have sex.

Gordon's relationship with Mrs Tembe "hits the rocks" when her estranged husband, Thomas (Jude Akuwudike), arrives. She had always claimed that Thomas was dead, but he visits her because he wants a divorce. When Gordon meets Thomas, Mrs Tembe introduces him as her brother-in-law. However, Thomas is quickly correct her and Gordon is shocked that she has been lying to him. She explains that their marriage broke down after learning that he is gay, and feeling that she could not tell the truth, she told people that she was a widow. Gordon is pleased that Mrs Tembe has been honest, but "stands firm" by telling her that he could not build a life with a liar.

Mrs Tembe leaves the church and Gordon starts looking for a different church. He does not tell her that he is leaving and Mrs Tembe is shocked to learn that he has been replaced by Viv Marchant (Martine Brown) at St Bernadette's. Following his initial exit, Laidlaw told ''Inside Soap'' that viewers liked Mrs Tembe's relationship with Gordon. She explained: "Mrs Tembe's romance with Rev Gordon got a phenomenal response. One fantastic comment I saw on Facebook mentioned Mrs T 'fornicating'!" Five years later, after Laidlaw had announced her decision to leave ''Doctors'', producers reintroduced Gordon to form her exit storyline. The two become reacquainted and reconcile their relationship, deciding to leave Letherbridge together. Provided by Wikipedia