DS Forums

 
 

Why Do Soap Actors Leave ?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 22-01-2002, 13:29
MartinR
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 640

Why do popular actors leave soap operas in order to move onto other things, and we never hear from them again ?

Recent examples spring to mind:
Coronation Street - Leanne Battersby, Andy McDonald
Eastenders - Nigel, Tony

When it is mentioned in the tabloids the actor usually says ' Ive had 2 great years in xxxxx, but it's time to move on.' In most cases its not a high profile return to our screens.

Now if it was me I would sit tight and stay doing the job. Sensible people like Robbie from Eastenders spring to mind. I can't imagine him doing anything else that will pay as much as Eastenders does.
MartinR is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 22-01-2002, 14:29
maisflocke
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Germany
Posts: 209

Originally posted by MartinR

When it is mentioned in the tabloids the actor usually says ' Ive had 2 great years in xxxxx, but its time to move on

Read between the lines Martin!

"Ive had 2 great years in xxxxx, but its time to move on" translates to " I've been given the boot, but in order to salvage my dignity, the producers have allowed me to announce that I am moving on to greener pastures...."
maisflocke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-01-2002, 15:46
stephen2203
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Posts: 708
I imagine that soap stars feel that they'll be able to move onto bigger and better things but we all know that few former soap stars achieve much more than a role in pantomime.
stephen2203 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-01-2002, 19:16
Woofy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,130
Originally posted by stephen2203
I imagine that soap stars feel that they'll be able to move onto bigger and better things but we all know that few former soap stars achieve much more than a role in pantomime.
Here's some examples:-

Bet Gilroy :- Shredded wheat advert.
Reg Houldsworth :- Safestyle UK.



Can anyone think of more?
Woofy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 22-01-2002, 23:49
Master_Simon
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Kent, Line of sight view of Hougham Mast, with it's magnificent aerial array, mains gas, water and drainage, good view of Astra2
Posts: 1,264

Originally posted by MartinR
Why do popular actors leave soap operas in order to move onto other things, and we never hear from them again ?

Recent examples spring to mind:
Coronation Street - Leanne Battersby, Andy McDonald
Eastenders - Nigel, Tony

When it is mentioned in the tabloids the actor usually says ' Ive had 2 great years in xxxxx, but it's time to move on.' In most cases its not a high profile return to our screens.

Now if it was me I would sit tight and stay doing the job. Sensible people like Robbie from Eastenders spring to mind. I can't imagine him doing anything else that will pay as much as Eastenders does.
You are wrong about the totty who plays leanne, she has been in the casualty spin off she looks real nice in a nurses outfit
Master_Simon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-01-2002, 23:54
Dek Hogan
Digital Spy Reporter
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Solihull
Posts: 688
I would imagine that no one wishing to become an actor would crave the boring monotony production line existance of appearing in a modern soap (unless they were just in it for the dosh).

the best actors have a creative itch which needs scratching and this can hardly be acheived by having to say "so that's two pints and a hot pot" or " wot's goin on" four times a week.
Dek Hogan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 03:06
addy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 309
Sarah Lancashire - dizzy Raquel in Coronation Street - is a soap success. She is signed to ITV on a £1.3 million deal and has appeared in Clocking Off, Blooming Marvellous, Where The Heart Is, The Glass and Coming Home.

Michelle Collins aka Cindy Beale left EastEnders in 1998 after a ten year run and is now among Britain's highest paid TV actresses. Sunburn, Real Women and Daylight Robbery have been among her successes.

Nick Berry (Wicksy) left EastEnders and signed with ITV to star in Hearbeat and has since starred in Harbour Lights and In Deep.

Arthur Lowe (of Dads Army) played Leonard Swindley in Coronation Street.

Joanna Lumley played Ken Barlow’s girlfriend before appearing in The New Avengers, Sapphire in Sapphire and Steel, Absolutely Fabulous.

Jane Danson, formerly Leanne Battersby, went on to star in the medical drama A+E.

Robert Beck played accused rapist Peter Harrison in Brookside & then Gavin in Emmerdale until his fianceé Bernice caught him kissing Jason.

Angela Griffin (Fiona Middleton in Coronation Street), Michael French (EastEnders) and Nicola Stephenson (Brookside, she was the one who shared a kiss with Anna Friel) all moved on to Holby City.

Tina Hobley (ex-Coronation St ) is now in Holby City.

Eva Pope (Tanya in Coronation Street ) is now in Peak Practice.

Thelma Barlow (formerly Coronation Street's Mavis Wilton) went on to appear in the Victoria Wood sitcom "Dinner Ladies"

Denise Black (formerly Coronation Street's Denise Osbourne) has went on to do many tv shows including Queer as Folk and played Pat Phoenix in 'The Things We Do For Love'.

Sue Johnston aka Barbara Royle was formerly Shelia Grant of Brookside & is on our screens quite often these days. Ricky Tomlinson ( Bobby Grant/Jim Royle ) hasn't done too badly either. Paul Usher (Barry Grant) went on to star in The Bill.

Anna Friel (Beth Jordash in Brookside) has went on to star in many films including The Land Girls, Rogue Trader, Mad Cows as well as appearing on Broadway.

Jean Alexander will always be remembered as Hilda Ogden from Coronation but following her departure she played Mrs Keeler in the movie Scandal and Mrs Wainwright in Last of The Summer Wine.

Novelist Beryl Bainbridge played a ban the bomb demonstrator in Coronation Street before becoming a successful writer.

Susan Brown played Connie Clayton in Coronation Street but has since been appeared as in Making Out, September Song, Prime Suspect and EastEnders.

Davey Jones (The Monkees) played Ena Sharples’ grandson in Coronation Street.

Kathy Staff is best known as Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine and as Doris Luke in Crossroads but in the early seventies she played Vera Hopkins in Coronation Street.

Jacqueline Chadwick was Tina Dingle in Emmerdale before marrying Mike Baldwin.

Sue Nicholls (Audrey in Coronation Street ) was also in Reggie Perrin, Rentaghost and Crossroads.

Sherrie Hewson played Maureen Holdsworth in Coronation Street before playing Virginia in the revamped Crossroads, also had a lead role in 'In Loving Memory' with Thora Hird. Her hubby in Coronation Street (Reg) went on to sell double glazing.

EastEnder's Ross Kemp currently earns around £1,000 a minute from a two-year £1.3 million ITV deal.

Tamzin Outhwaite aka EastEnders' Mel Healy announced her decision to leave EastEnders' after three years, despite a pay rise which saw her earning £280,000 a year. She has now signed a £2 million 'golden handcuffs' deal which will see her working on various BBC dramas over the next two years.

Martin Kemp, who plays Steve Owen has signed a £1 million deal with ITV.
addy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 03:10
Neil Wilkes
Former DS Editor: 1999-2011
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,941
Originally posted by mikejones

Can anyone think of more?
One thing that is noticable is that EastEnders tends to churn out big stars (who go on to other things) much more than Coronation Street (with few exceptions).

Neil
Digital Spy Ltd
Neil Wilkes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 07:59
Bryan
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,531
Originally posted by mikejones


Here's some examples:-

Bet Gilroy :- Shredded wheat advert.
Reg Houldsworth :- Safestyle UK.



Can anyone think of more?
What happened to Annalise (Kimberley davies) from neighbours, i used to have a crush on her, big time
She did a couple of thing's that failed, one being Pacific Palisaides (or something like that), so i guess she's dissapeared into AmericanTV oblivion, unless you know any better mikejones?
Bryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 10:41
Mr_Tart
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: cardiff, wales
Posts: 628
this is her filmography from imdb.com...

Seconds to Spare (2002) (TV) .... Rhonda MacGregor
Month of August, The (2001) .... Kelly
"Off Centre" (2001) TV Series .... Vee
Made (2001) (as Kimberly Davies) .... Bartender
South Pacific (2001) (TV) .... Luann
... aka Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific (2001) (TV) (USA: complete title)
Shrink Is In, The (2000)
Magicians, The (2000/I) (TV) .... Regina
Next Best Thing, The (2000) .... Hostess
Psycho Beach Party (2000) .... Bettina Barns/Diane
Close Contact (1999) (TV) .... Cheryl McManus
Storm Catcher (1999) .... Agent Lock
"It's True" (1998/I) TV Series .... Maya
True Love and Chaos (1997) .... Ariel
"Pacific Palisades" (1997) TV Series .... Laura Sinclair
"Twisted Tales" (1996) TV Series .... Betty (segment "Directly from my Heart to You")
... aka "Twisted" (1996) (UK)
"Just Kidding!" (1992) TV Series .... Host (1995-1996)
"Neighbours" (1985) TV Series .... Annalise Hartman (1993-1996)
Mr_Tart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 11:00
Mark Ramsden
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,472
Other s'successs' stories

Susan Tully(Michelle in Eastenders) went on to work in TV production, I remeber she directed an episode of Eastender

Didn't the guy who played Nigel go back to comedy

Lofty - Sports writer and journalist

Guy Pierce (Mike in Neighbours) - Succesful film carrer

Kylie Minogue - I seem to remeber she tried tom make it as a pop star

Mike Reid - Does a bit of stand up comedy I believe.

I agree there have been some very high profile flops where people have decided to move on, Lettita Dean and Bet Gilroy (I've completely forgotten the actreeses name) spring readily to mind. But it is these high profile flops that stick inpeople minds I guess.

Acting, you must remeber, encompesses a lot of aspects not only the TV and some of these peopel genuinely build a succesful carrer in the theatre, but of course we don't see them on TV and so we assume they have failed.
Mark Ramsden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 15:43
Lee Cool
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,507
The list looks long, but 80% of soap characters aint successful in anything else.
Most of them end up appearing in Casualty at some point as a 1 off!
Lee Cool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 17:42
James2001
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 27,534
I've seen some soap stars in Caualty before they actually joined the soaps- Jim Branning, Roy Cropper & Roy Evans to name 3.
James2001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 17:46
Mark Ramsden
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,472
Originally posted by James2001
I've seen some soap stars in Caualty before they actually joined the soaps- Jim Branning, Roy Cropper & Roy Evans to name 3.
Didn't Kate Winslet appear in casulty as an abused child before she made it big ?

It's kind of like the Sweeny in the 70's actors took bit parts whilst waiting for the carreer to take off, any work is better than no work afterall
Mark Ramsden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 18:16
Brian1709
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 2,536
If you want to see what happens to former Soap stars who leave to "further their careers" just watch "Night Fever" on Channel 5.

Recently I've seen Mick & Sinbad from Brookside and Spider from Corrie. Mind you at least I know who they are. Usually if I miss the introductions I've no idea who the "celebrities" are. Except for the girl from Londons Burning who seems to be on every week!
Brian1709 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-01-2002, 19:25
Lee Cool
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,507
Originally posted by Mark Ramsden


Didn't Kate Winslet appear in casulty as an abused child before she made it big ?

Yes she did appear in Casualty in the late 80's
Lee Cool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-01-2002, 19:04
Woofy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,130
Originally posted by Bryan


What happened to Annalise (Kimberley davies) from neighbours, i used to have a crush on her, big time
She did a couple of thing's that failed, one being Pacific Palisaides (or something like that), so i guess she's dissapeared into AmericanTV oblivion, unless you know any better mikejones?
Not sure what happened to her, probably in some dodgy aussie porn film or something. Also, remember Lauren, Lou Carpenters daughter - she was HOT!
Woofy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2002, 00:30
bananaman_007
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 7,999
What about Mandy Dingle cant remember her real name

She does Youve Been Framed and was in 1 episode of Corrie
bananaman_007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2002, 12:40
Sesay2000
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,267
Originally posted by bananaman_007
What about Mandy Dingle cant remember her real name

She does Youve Been Framed and was in 1 episode of Corrie
And she recently reprised her role as Mandy (caused a stir apparently) a couple of months ago.
Sesay2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2002, 19:11
Woofy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,130
Originally posted by bananaman_007
What about Mandy Dingle cant remember her real name

She does Youve Been Framed and was in 1 episode of Corrie
If you mean Lisa Riley, I thought she was only 25, so how could she have been in episode 1 of corrie?
Woofy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2002, 20:35
James2001
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 27,534
He didn't say epsiode one of corrie,he said one episode of corrie which is totally different.
James2001 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-01-2002, 00:59
bananaman_007
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 7,999
LOL 25 are you sure?

I did say she was in 1 episode of corrie and not episode 1
bananaman_007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-01-2002, 14:55
Woofy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,130
Originally posted by bananaman_007
LOL 25 are you sure?

I did say she was in 1 episode of corrie and not episode 1
Sorry mate, it's me not reading the posts properly again.
But yeah, she is 25 really. I know, she looks well older than that!
Woofy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2002, 23:38
oakley
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: somewhere in Australia
Posts: 276
Originally posted by Bryan


What happened to Annalise (Kimberley davies) from neighbours
I did see her in Spin City the other day...
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2002, 23:39
oakley
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: somewhere in Australia
Posts: 276
Originally posted by mikejones

Also, remember Lauren, Lou Carpenters daughter - she was HOT!
She presented some Saturday morning show a few years ago on ITV, I seem to remember, couldn't tell you which one it was though!
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 14:02.