Now, you can see Shane shift through the acting gears. I can also see the demarcation line between Shane (the rampant egotist) and the blustering, spitting incoherence of Alfie Moon. And the only time that one can see Shane shrug off the heavy weight of playing another character, is when the script devolves into a pastiche of Shane's comic turns.

He is a personality and shouldn't really be a mainstay of the soap

If was are making a serious attempt at quantifying acting ability, then shouldn't we be marking out the people that are playing against type. Not the Phils or the Shanes, who are just a conceptual pigeon step away from their true colours, but the likes of Nigel, who seem to be playing a character that is wildly different to their own.

But isn't it because Shane Ritchie was well known prior to him entering the show that you can make these statements? Nigel Harman was relatively unknown and how do we know he's playing against type? Do we know what goes on in his private life? I think you're making a few assumptions there.

I do agree that essentially Shane Ritchie is playing himself, however, he adds an element of light heartedness to the show (much needed) and I do think some of the scenes involving more pathos (i.e when Nana Moon needed an operation) he did show a bit more depth and I genuinely felt sympathy for the character.

I think it's tricky judging people by 'acting against type' as we all have different facets to our personality and rarely truly know the people behind the actor. Whilst Shane Ritchie is renowned for his cheeky chappie persona, there have also been rather more dodgy stories about him in the tabloids, ie his womanising etc. Do we really know the man and what has actually happened throughout his life? I think not. Same with Nigel Harman, he may well have a 'dark' history that we klnow nothing of so it's pretty futile judging his acting on the basis of his real-life persona.

Shane 'not so' Ritchie was not so well known to me. But his personality is transparent. He has displayed two dimensions of the character Alfie. The simpering family man, and the brassy Shane. His two alter egos that get dusted down for every interview he ever gives

I am sure Nigel had a proper upbringing that didn't involve abuse. That he wasn't a spirit in transit from one home to another, and his progenitor was not an uncaring father that ignored him for the best part of his life. So, he is playing against type.

Shane is popular because he acts as counterpoint to the roughness of life on Albert square. A calculated posture of levity against a backdrop of Grecian tragedy. He is also the answer to the prayers of everyone that thought that Eastenders was becoming like a push off Beachy Head. So, people love his style and his placement, not necessarily his acting

It's all well and good playing against type, but you have to do it well...I don't think Nigel, as a WHOLE, does.

But don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I rate Shane, either. But I don't ever look at him and think his acting's poor or below average. I've never seen him play a role that's very different to Shane's character, so how can we say whether he'd be good at it or not? There's a good chance he could do it as well or better than Nigel - simply because Nigel doesn't do it THAT well in my opinion.

Well, I must confess that I totally love Dennis and every time he's on screen I giggle hysterically like an idiot before drolling all over myself. He's sooo cute! And my heart broke when he cried about hitting about Sharon, the poor sod. But to the acting thing... I actually think he's a good actor (although God knows I'm probably completely biased) but when Den was going on about him being abused as a kid and he (Dennis) was trying to cry I was like 'Put a bit of effort into it, Nige!' That moment was a bit lame, 'cause he clearly wasn't crying but when the tear rolled down his face at the Dot bit, I died a little inside. He looked so sad!... yeah, I'm so biased. Oh well.

well i dont think his a bad actor at all i think his great and his absolutly lovely

he is very sexy. and he is a very good actor. the last post. is talking a load of rubbish

how is what i said aload of rubbish when is exactly what you said

I have to agree with the last few posts here and say i think he is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and i actually think he's a very good actor.
Anyway back to my daydreaming...........

I THINK THEY MIGHT BE REFERRING TO YOUR GRAMMAR AND SPELLING

Dennis is gorgeous...and so is Andy. Hopefully Eastenders will now scrap anything that does not tie in with a ganster-type plot!

And your opinion is as good as anyones

I would like to say that Nigel Harman's acting last night in EE was very impressive indeed. It was of course helped by excellent writing of a character's thoughts and feelings having committed a murder. His diction, pace, phrasing and close up work was first class. Controlled, broody, - a whole range of emotions were displayed accurately and subtlely. Whilst he may have had his off days initially, anyone who says the boy can't act must be barking mad. A blind man on a galloping horse could see his talent.

Rudi

Oh no typical - we went to see Starsky & Hutch - so must have missed a good one!

I don't know why people keep ing criticising the poor guy - could they do any better - I think not

i dont know why you are all bitching about each others opinions when you know people feel differently about things. i personally think nigel is a fantastic actor especially in the recent episodes with sharon and den it has been very moving to watch and i cant help crying when he does. i also think he is gorgeous which you probably think effects my descision over his acting but it doesn't i also like chris parker (spencer) but no where near as much and think his acting is terrible

Hmmmmm, well I like him, I think he's good to watch, both physically and actingwise.

Did anyone else see him on Parkinson the other night, he was going into a bit of detail about some nude scenes he did in the theatre? Wonder if there are any pictures of this in existance.

i wish i watched him on parkinson he was great and funny people shouldn't dis him if you dont like dont watch he is well fine though and a great actor

if you get any pass one onto me - I need new screensaver

Its not my fault im not the best speller i cant help it if i cant spell all the big long words.

hmm he is sooooo sexy!

Nigel Harman is the one to watch. He will be very big in the future. He is so talented and has so much charisma... ......not to mention his 'come-to-bed-eyes and smile. He is sex on legs to me.

Some people think he's a good actor others don't. Personally I think he's too self conscious and can't relax in front of a camera and in my opinion that makes him wooden. But one thing I do know for sure, Nigel Harman definitely isn't a great actor. Does anyone really believe that any actor with any great talent would actually consider appearing in a soap in the first place? Robert De Niro on the fruit and veg stall? Maggie Smith behind the bar at the Rovers Return? Only time will tell, but when he decides to leave the show, I fear Nigel Harman will disappear into oscurity just like most other soap actors.

im sorry but nigel harman is a good actor for soap and he is good looking and i remember david wickes and he was cute then but now nigel harman is the good looking one in the show

i think he isa quite good actor and he is very good looking

Apparently he`s turned down a £2m record contract.........

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2004162311,00.html