I really don't think Itchy was created to end "Chewbacca is Han's lover" rumors. I think he was more part of a device to give a "plot" to the Holiday Special and make more money off this incredible popular movie. Most people disregard the HS, including George, so they probably disregard Itchy too. Did he appear in other EU novels? If they really wanted to make him canon, Chewies wife could have at least been in ROTS. I never liked the idea of Chewie abanddoning his family on account of a life debt and becoming a rotten father and husband. Also makes Han a jerk for not releasing him from it. The Chewies family idea was a bad one from the start, as bad as the rest of the HS.