I know for a fact that Van Outen was thisclose to playing Tina, Johnny Allen's mistress, in 2005. However the executive producer at the time, Kathleen Hutchinson, apparently said to her over the phone "Tina looks elegant and puts on middle class airs but in reality she's rather common. You shouldn't have any trouble pulling that off." Oops. Van Outen's agent halted negotiations. Hutchinson was notorious for her tactlessness so it was no surprise that she was fired so soon after she was hired.

I'd be willing to bet anything she'll be playing Lola's mother. I've always noticed the striking physical resemblance between her and Danielle Harold. I would guess her character has a flirtacious encounter (or maybe more) with Alfie. Some have suggested she'll be another of Max's conquests but I'm convinced he's the murderer and Jake Wood will have left the show already.

Edited February 3, 201510 yr by TimWil

Neighbours

Anne Scott-Pendlebury's return as Hilary Robinson starts on February 25.

Coronation Street

Katy Cavanagh l Julie Carp l Exits Spring http://www.digitalspy.ca/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a626608/coronation-street-katy-cavanagh-to-leave-julie-carp-role.html#~p3m03Xq16YVsoZ

I keep forgetting Julie is still on the show.

Not sure what she's like now, but she was entertaining enough when I watched (I hated making her Eileen's sister though, but then, I couldn't take Eileen by that point).

Home and Away

Demi Harman (Sasha Bezmel) exits on February 26.

That's too bad. I liked Julie. Katy Cavanaugh will probably not have too much trouble getting other work. She'll most likely land on another series like Last Tango In Halafax.

Hollyoaks

Zoe Lucker - Hollyoaks (Reenie McQueen, first airing in April)

Scary photo.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a627065/hollyoaks-casts-zoe-lucker-as-newcomer-reenie-mcqueen.html#~p3vlAm1rpwTxgC

Wow, Zoe Lucker's joining Hollyoaks? I was hoping out of all the Northern soaps she'd go into Coronation Street. She would have made a really good Stella.

Coronation Street

Amy James-Kelly l Maddie Heath l Exits Summer - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a627553/coronation-street-amy-kelly-to-leave-maddie-heath-role.html

I never thought that character had a particularly long shelf life. Amy James-Kelly, after a weak start, has proved to be quite appealing. She physically reminds me a lot of Anne Hathaway for some reason-it could be her grin.

Is the character Sian possibly returning now?

She annoyed me at first, but slowly started to be less of a headache once her initial story ended. On Friday's episode I thought it was an inspired choice to start a friendship between her and Zeedan, but I guess I can unfortunately forget about that.

Meet Hollyoaks' new family, the Lovedays.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a627867/hollyoaks-unveils-new-family-the-lovedays.html#~p3SN9Q6mSEx5b5

Well at least Hollyoaks tries to diversify their cast, but they usually end up being duds. From the Valentines to the Sharpes. No black family seems to stick with this show.

Other than the ever-expanding McQueens (who at this point really need to be phased out), what does stick on this show?

The Valentines were around for about 4 years (5 or so if you count Sonny's return), which isn't bad by soap standards (the overhyped, generally annoying Costellos, who arrived as the Valentines hit the road, only lasted a year and a half or so).

I can't say I see this going well, but I guess I'll wish the actors luck.

Frankly I wonder how long it's going to be before some actors don't even want to go on this show. The guy who played Danny Lomax made more than a few digs after he was canned.

Of course POC actors rarely have the luxury of good roles.

On a purely shallow note, the young actor playing the Loveday son looks hot.