Why was one of the few remaining original cast members axed from Eastenders in 1993? He was a popular character and would still fit in in the show well today. I know he was later killed off off-screen because the actor made comments about the BBC, but why axe him in the first place? I never understood it the reasoning when there were so many other characters who deserved the chop more at that time.
Pete Beales Axing
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Originally Posted by cobwebsoup:
“Why was one of the few remaining original cast members axed from Eastenders in 1993? He was a popular character and would still fit in in the show well today. I know he was later killed off off-screen because the actor made comments about the BBC, but why axe him in the first place? I never understood it the reasoning when there were so many other characters who deserved the chop more at that time.”
“Why was one of the few remaining original cast members axed from Eastenders in 1993? He was a popular character and would still fit in in the show well today. I know he was later killed off off-screen because the actor made comments about the BBC, but why axe him in the first place? I never understood it the reasoning when there were so many other characters who deserved the chop more at that time.”
I was a major fan of the series at the time but admit I personally found Pete irritating. Pauline and Lou seemed always on his side while I recall thinking he was too tough on Ian, discouraging him from going in to catering, etc. My recollection is he would alternate between being chirpy, and moany, and for me it got tiresome.
The same actor, Peter Dean, was in the pilot of 'The Bill' and I found him a bit irritating in that too. Another future EE regular Gary Hailes (who played Colin's boyfriend Barry) was also in it.
Originally Posted by SULLA:
“Pete Beale was OK.
If he had lived, Ben Mitchell would never have happened.”
“Pete Beale was OK.
If he had lived, Ben Mitchell would never have happened.”
Surely that would be a good thing lol
He died on-screen in a car crash didn't he? 
TPTB were trying to get rid of him for years apparently, due to his extreme lack of acting ability.
TPTB were trying to get rid of him for years apparently, due to his extreme lack of acting ability.
Originally Posted by Fizzbin:
“He died on-screen in a car crash didn't he?
TPTB were trying to get rid of him for years apparently, due to his extreme lack of acting ability.”
“He died on-screen in a car crash didn't he?
TPTB were trying to get rid of him for years apparently, due to his extreme lack of acting ability.”
He left the square on the run or something, then he was on his way home (offscreen) and the police arrived to tell everyone that him and his girlfriend had been mowed down by a car. It's actually plausible that he didn't die, he was put into witness protection, same with Kathy.
Originally Posted by cobwebsoup:
“He left the square on the run or something, then he was on his way home (offscreen) and the police arrived to tell everyone that him and his girlfriend had been mowed down by a car. It's actually plausible that he didn't die, he was put into witness protection, same with Kathy.”
“He left the square on the run or something, then he was on his way home (offscreen) and the police arrived to tell everyone that him and his girlfriend had been mowed down by a car. It's actually plausible that he didn't die, he was put into witness protection, same with Kathy.”
Yes that is how I remember it. Pete had been gone awhile when the family learned he was returning. While awaiting his arrival the police came instead with news of Pete's death. I believe their car was run off the road intentionally in a mob hit.
He did a fantastically bitter article in one of the tabloids after he was fired, slagging off Leslie Grantham.
The actor mistakenly believed that the whole show should have been built around his character, instead of Grantham, who he described as a 'oncer', which he explained meant someone who thought they were great because they'd done one crime.
Yes Pete, but it really was a pretty big crime.
The actor mistakenly believed that the whole show should have been built around his character, instead of Grantham, who he described as a 'oncer', which he explained meant someone who thought they were great because they'd done one crime.
Yes Pete, but it really was a pretty big crime.
LG has never been proud of his actions
Peter Dean is a joke. Build the show aroInd Pete Beale??
Lol!
Peter Dean is a joke. Build the show aroInd Pete Beale??
Lol!
If I remember correctly, the gossip at the time was that Gillian Taylforth (Saint Kathy Beale) couldn't stand being in romantic scenes with Peter; he made her 'skin crawl', or words to that effect. It's plausable that he just wasn't popular with the other actors, though I think June Brown (Dot) famously left the show for many years, in protest to Peter's sacking?
Peter Dean also told young, impressionable Letitia Dean and Sue Tully that LG had served time in prison for murder, just to stir the pot.
Both girls didn't hold it against LG - and that certainly shows on screen.
To be fair, Peter Dean and LG made a good job of looking like mates even though they loathed eachother. I even heard a rumour that the pair had a physical fight at one point.
Yeah, I heard that about Taylforth too, that she asked for their marriage to be broken up so she wouldnt have to kiss him anymore. But even after the divorce, he still mooned about her for almost 3 more years. Embawwasing weally.
Both girls didn't hold it against LG - and that certainly shows on screen.
To be fair, Peter Dean and LG made a good job of looking like mates even though they loathed eachother. I even heard a rumour that the pair had a physical fight at one point.
Yeah, I heard that about Taylforth too, that she asked for their marriage to be broken up so she wouldnt have to kiss him anymore. But even after the divorce, he still mooned about her for almost 3 more years. Embawwasing weally.
He ws a very poor actor, with limited acting skills.
Last I heard of him he was a Security Guard in a car park.
Last I heard of him he was a Security Guard in a car park.
He had a vegetable stall.
He was not a good enough actor to play Pete Beale. They should have cast him as one of the vegetables. A turnip perhaps or a large potatoe. Or a beetroot.
He was not a good enough actor to play Pete Beale. They should have cast him as one of the vegetables. A turnip perhaps or a large potatoe. Or a beetroot.
Originally Posted by cobwebsoup:
“Surely that would be a good thing lol”
“Surely that would be a good thing lol”
True
Originally Posted by Joey Boswell:
“He ws a very poor actor, with limited acting skills.”
“He ws a very poor actor, with limited acting skills.”
He could still play himself like most of the others
Pete didn't go on the run in relation to giving evidence, it was just that he had got romantically involved with the estranged wife of a gangster who then had them killed in a car crash on their (off screen) return to London. As this was all personal I doubt that the police would have faked a death etc plus I'm fairly sure Pauline identified the body.
The news came through the day of Ian's twin's birth (hence Peter being named Peter) and also led to Davis'd reintroduction at the funeral.
They were trying to axe Peter Dean for years though, that is true. He was originally slated to be killed in an IRA attack on the Square in 88 (allegedly).
The news came through the day of Ian's twin's birth (hence Peter being named Peter) and also led to Davis'd reintroduction at the funeral.
They were trying to axe Peter Dean for years though, that is true. He was originally slated to be killed in an IRA attack on the Square in 88 (allegedly).
An IRA attack on the square in 1988?? Where on earth did you get that from?
1988 was arguably Pete Beale's busiest year.
I have no idea how he remained in the show so long, I guess he was needed to guide Ian through his various mishaps.
Julia Smith did intend to kill Pete duirng Xmas 85 (which would be an xmas event totally in line with todays brand of misery) but decided against it, deeming the character too important, and bringing in Jan Hammond to counter-balance instead...good move!
1988 was arguably Pete Beale's busiest year.
I have no idea how he remained in the show so long, I guess he was needed to guide Ian through his various mishaps.
Julia Smith did intend to kill Pete duirng Xmas 85 (which would be an xmas event totally in line with todays brand of misery) but decided against it, deeming the character too important, and bringing in Jan Hammond to counter-balance instead...good move!
I absolutely hated Pete Beale and was overjoyed the day I read he was leaving EE. He was a thoroughly unlikeable character played a dreadful actor. To the credit of the writers, the character caused plenty of drama for his family, but I never took to him.
I am too young to remember him!.. Was he a bit of villian?.. Not in the Archie Mitcell sense I mean like Max/Den Watts
Originally Posted by rick182:
“I am too young to remember him!.. Was he a bit of villian?.. Not in the Archie Mitcell sense I mean like Max/Den Watts”
“I am too young to remember him!.. Was he a bit of villian?.. Not in the Archie Mitcell sense I mean like Max/Den Watts”
No. He was just a word that rhymes with stick
Originally Posted by Gulftastic:
“He did a fantastically bitter article in one of the tabloids after he was fired, slagging off Leslie Grantham.
The actor mistakenly believed that the whole show should have been built around his character, instead of Grantham, who he described as a 'oncer', which he explained meant someone who thought they were great because they'd done one crime.
Yes Pete, but it really was a pretty big crime.”
“He did a fantastically bitter article in one of the tabloids after he was fired, slagging off Leslie Grantham.
The actor mistakenly believed that the whole show should have been built around his character, instead of Grantham, who he described as a 'oncer', which he explained meant someone who thought they were great because they'd done one crime.
Yes Pete, but it really was a pretty big crime.”
Makes it sound like a prison yard battle for who should be top dog.
Originally Posted by rick182:
“I am too young to remember him!.. Was he a bit of villian?.. Not in the Archie Mitcell sense I mean like Max/Den Watts”
“I am too young to remember him!.. Was he a bit of villian?.. Not in the Archie Mitcell sense I mean like Max/Den Watts”
No more like a chirpy, optimistic Alfie type East Ender whose mum (Lou) doted on him, but he also tended to go into moany moods and object to Ian doing things that weren't manly. Like, fearing that being a caterer would turn Ian gay. That's my recollection.
Originally Posted by Gulftastic:
“'Awite tweacle!' was his catchphrase.”
“'Awite tweacle!' was his catchphrase.”
Peter Dean used to get stopped in street by people who would hand him a phone and ask him to say it to their friends
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