Leonard 'Len' Reynolds arrived in Emmerdale in 2001 to visit his only son Sean following the death of his wife and Sean's mother, Eileen. Len's presence was a great comfort to his son and his family. Sean and his wife Angie were going through difficulties in their marriage and having Len as a mediator was helpful. However, the marriage was destroyed when it was revealed that Angie was having an affair with Cain Dingle and Sean left to start a new life with his girlfriend, Lady Tara Oakwell. Len stayed behind to help Angie rebuild her life, at the request of his granddaughter Ollie. Len kept a close watch on his grandchildren - not knowing that soon he would be required to take on a more pivotal role in their lives.