That Nick story has the potential to be very good if done right. I guess we'll see.

The Nick story so far has been absolutely horrendous. I'm just glad he'll be off the show forever at last. If June Brown didn't approve of the storyline they wouldn't have gone forward with it. I suspect it will be an accidental death and she'll be temporarily up on charges. It's pretty likely she'll also face Jim's death this year, too.

The Nick story so far has been absolutely horrendous. I'm just glad he'll be off the show forever at last. If June Brown didn't approve of the storyline they wouldn't have gone forward with it. I suspect it will be an accidental death and she'll be temporarily up on charges. It's pretty likely she'll also face Jim's death this year, too.

It's actually been my favourite story on the show since it started. I haven't seen where John Altman has been so horrible, like you've mentioned before. I loved him from the beginning of his return, mouthing off about Donna and Fatboy. Maybe knowing his return had an expiry date had something to do with it, but all the Ronnie/Charlie aspects have made this must see for me.

Lucy's death has to link back to her fall in the Car Lot offices with Max. Max has to be linked to her death some how, otherwise it won't make sense for Lauren to leave town, and it'll tie in nicely with Tanya's guest return (I hope she never comes back permanently, as her and Max are played out, and I don't trust any EP to not put them back together).

I've disliked Nick's return, but not b/c of John Altman, but b/c the writing has sucked. Until NYD, the story was going nowhere fast except in circles; they even forgot Fatboy's involvement for weeks, until last week that is. The supposedly smart characters have all acted stupid around Nick: Ronnie, Yvonne, Charlie... The story lost momentum in the middle, like the majority of stories on EE last year due to poor pacing.

As far as I'm concerned John Altman has only been capable of playing Nick as a sniggering, sneering panto villain. I'm far from alone in my opinion. I've actually met Altman and attended a lunch in NYC in his honor. He's a very nice man and conscientous about his work but my opinion has always remained the same, though.

Edited January 12, 201510 yr by TimWil

Why was there an NYC lunch in John Altman's honour, Tim?

You're right about Nick being a panto villain, but he plays that well, IMO. Of course, Nick is not supposed to be a panto villain, but that's what he's turned into over the years.

A group of EE fans here were aware he would be in NYC via the editor of The Walford Gazette fan newspaper and a luncheon was held for him, Ben. There have been several of those over the years-Wendy Richard, Troy Titus-Adams (Nina), Deepak Verma (Sanjay), Michelle Collins, Nicholas Bailey (Anthony Trueman) and Desune Coleman have also joined us for luncheons.

Edited January 13, 201510 yr by TimWil

That's great. Who was Nina?

I know the guy who played Sanjay wasn't thrilled with the portrayal of the Masoods (I can't blame him).

Nina was the young black lady who was a barnaid at the Vic. I think she was Grant's girlfriend for a while. She revealed to us that there was a particular actress on the show who would never address newcomers until they were on the show for 6 months. We guessed it was Wendy Richard. She just smiled.

Not surprised about Deepak not liking the Masoods. He complained to us that the actress who had been playing his character's wife (Gita) was way too unattractive. He was, ahem, a tad too enamored with himself for my taste.

Thanks. I will have to look her up.

Geez. Gita was one of my favorite characters. It's a good thing I was never a huge Sanjay fan (he was hot though) so I can't be disappointed.

Why Sam Strike left EastEnders

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a620667/sam-strike-reveals-all-on-eastenders-exit-film-role-and-future-plans.html#~p1kwLAOxwd9L1F

A group of EE fans here were aware he would be in NYC via the editor of The Walford Gazette fan newspaper and a luncheon was held for him, Ben. There have been several of those over the years-Wendy Richard, Troy Titus-Adams (Nina), Deepak Verma (Sanjay), Michelle Collins, Nicholas Bailey (Anthony Trueman) and Desune Coleman have also joined us for luncheons.

Thanks Tim. Now I know why EE actors have always talked favourably about their NY fanbase. You guys are truly a dedicated and generous bunch.

Now that you've described Nina as Grant's g/f, I remember when she was on the show. I pretty sure she had a lot of hair and was hot.

Gita was one of my favourite characters, too Carl, and I liked Sanjay as well (he wasn't the same without Gita), so it's sad to learn how he used to talk about her. Does anyone know if they liked each other off screen?

I think they got along fine off-screen, Ben, he was just being bitchy about her and somewhat arrogant thinking that Sanjay deserved a hot looking wife!

Yes, Nina was Grant's "rebound gf" not long after Tiffany was killed on New Year's Eve 1998. She did have an awful lot of hair!

Coronation Street

The real Gavin Rodwell will be played by Mark Holgate, but only for guest stint. http://www.digitalspy.ca/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a621346/coronation-street-gail-mcintyre-to-discover-gavins-true-identity.html#~p1yF2WlNwAHtsl

Bethany Platt will be played by 19 year old newcomer Katie Redford. http://www.digitalspy.ca/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a621971/coronation-street-reveals-sarah-louise-platts-daughter-bethany.html#~p1yFCyK2MOzrLT

Stand-up comedian/television presenter Richard Blackwood will be joining EastEnders next month. All that is known about his yet-to-be named character is that he is a villain. Kim's hubby, perhaps?

Edited January 18, 201510 yr by TimWil