Just read that. Is it me, or does he sound half in-character in the interview? A lot of his vocab is very Michael!

Interesting what he said about changing Michael's 'wideboy' character and re-creating him from scratch. That was definitely the right decision and it's good that he was given that sort of free reign.

Love how he describes his exit in the last question. Going to be a good but sad week by the sounds of it.

Yeh he did sound a bit in character! I love that it sounds like he is pretty much responsible for Michael's little mannerisms and speeches

Well, first I thought we could burn our bras outside Elstree....but we have to consider that winter is coming....and we could get a little - er - nippy....!

Then I went out and bought a bulk load of pink fluffy handcuffs so we can chain ourselves to the Elstree Studio gate...

But then, I read SJS's wonderful interview, and realised the best thing to do is to let him go quietly, with our blessings! He deserves a break! It sounds like he's given his all to Michael's character over the last 3 years.

Great to hear he wants to do some theatre work. We need to keep our eyes peeled for that! Surely it's all our dreams to sit in the front row of the theatre being showered by SJS's spit, as he ENUNCIATES his words!


I did think exactly the same - I was left wondering where SJS ended, and Michael began! SJS always comes across as being an intelligent man, and he was able to transfer some of that aspect of himself into Michael's character, together with a whole lot of darkness. It sounds like he was largely behind the change in Michael's character, and he definitely saved him from being a one-dimensional wideboy character, which we've all seen before.

Yes i think its best to let him go quietly but of course he has already technically left so he wouldnt be at elstree. There is a risk of storylines repeating if he stays though i think they totally missed the chance of janine and michael being a power couple in the square.

I think we all agree we would see him in the theatre and maybe scare him by waiting by the stage door after.

Yes, true - and maybe camping outside his house is taking it a little too far...? I do agree with you - Janine and Michael could have done great things. I still wonder what direction they would have taken him in had Charlie not had her break. It sounds like he put so much energy and had such an imput with Michael himself, that while he enjoyed it, he now needs a break. I'm just grateful for what he did give us.

Staging a stage door coup is always an option - of course, we'd be kind and completely non-stalkerish!

Great interview with SJS. He sounds like a lovely guy. I agree though, he does sound like his is half in character

Quote for next week:

I live in the gutter....but i'm looking at the stars

Ahhhhh

I think Michaels vocabulary and mannerisms certainly come from SJS, I honestly can't imagine him not using posh words and making weird faces!

Although it would've been lovely seeing Janine and Michael ruling the square i think we should just accept that he's going and enjoy the fact he's got a big exit and people are actually going to miss him. Which is a massive change from a couple of years ago. At least if he is in any stage productions we can see him first hand, and not on a screen *swoon*

I've had a skim of the Inside Soap article and I think a lot of it is the same as the DS one...

Actually starting to enjoy EE a bit now. David is great and Michael of course is excellent.

Ordering those pills though...tut tut.

Yeh it's all downhill to next Friday now

Michael was great again tonight and so cute with little Scarlett. She must really love SJS as she started to cry as soon as he left the room!
I loved his line 'She's getting her claws cleaned'

*Makes flask of hot soup heads off to Elstree*

Yeh I bet the girl who plays Scarlett misses him now he's not there

My mum mentioned when michael waves the baby does too. i also love the boy who play tommy.. he is always reacting to what they say.

Although I'm looking foward to the Halloween eps, its a different type of 'looking foward', I don't want him to go, but at the same time I'm glad he's getting a memorable exit, it's a terrible shame he has to die.

That quote about looking at the stars I wished EE used him more, he's such an amazing actor, going to miss him soo much.

Good luck to SJS, thank you for making Michael the Michael we love.

Yeh he's got such a connection with her.


Thank you SJS

Simon Ashdown has wrote SJS's last episode
I'm a bit gutted coz I'm away next Monday and Tuesday so I'm gonna have to wait till Wednesday to catch up on EE

That's good to know - should be a great episode then.

I may actually be out on the Friday

You must cancel all your plans lol

Lol. It's not confirmed yet so who knows.

Yes, same here - and All About Soap is the same.





Yes, she did - I noticed that in the scene where he started waving through the kitchen window. Her face lit up with a huge grin and she started waving at him. So cute!


Thanks for that - should be a good one. At least you can have a huge dollop of Michael when you get back.

In one of the soap mags, SJS refuses to confirm that Michael dies (although I'm pretty sure he does!) I've started wondering if Alice accidentally gets killed by Michael, and he then has to flee. Even if it was accidental, if he was in the process of trying to murder Janine, the fact that he accidentally kills Alice instead would be transferred malice, therefore classed as murder. That would be the only thing keeping him from staying around for Scarlett.

I know they've filmed a funeral, and we're led to believe it's Michael's as only Kat, Alfie and Janine show up, but it would be a great twist if it's Alice who dies instead - that would be totally unexpected, and get people talking, as we all assume it's going to be Michael who dies.

I'm 99.9% sure it will be Michael, but I would welcome a huge twist.

Hmm, just had my theory scuppered on the spoilers thread apparently some have seen scenes being filmed .

I actually thought about whether it'll be Michael or not because the actual episode spoilers doesn't even give away who died. Nor does the fallout say anything about it being Michael. So we have a 0.0000001% chance he won't die

And Jayma, it's still only apparently

Loving your optimism, Hannah!