Maybe this scene was originally about Ben texting Johnny?

Yep, I totally agree with this, something with Sam's exit isn't right!?

I just can't see how Johnny would willingly leave after finding out what Dean did to his mother. Him and Linda have been portrayed as being extremely close. There's no way that he would leave her and the rest of his family when they're going to be in turmoil

They've written themselves into a corner with Johnny, they've made him such a homeboy that it seems implausible that he would leave for any reason at the moment. This is what makes me think that something must have happenned behind the scenes. Johnny was written as if he was never going to leave, the writers didn't leave themselves any room for manoeuvre, so they can't have been expecting such a quick departure.

The scene with Nancy after Linda birthday party when Johnny mentioned that he thought of leaving with Luca springs to mind. Johnny made it clear that he needed to be close to the family which is which is why he rejected various universities and to stay on campus

Agreed. But at the same time something about that storyline/scene didn't make sense to me - Johnny said Luca looked terrified when he wanted to go with him to Italy, what was shown on screen Luca didn't look scared. Also, Luca says to Johnny earlier "I wish you were coming with me". I don't know I felt as though it was a cop out - or that something happened 'offscreen' that we didnt know about - or that it was left open for a specific reason.

Hey everyone,

I haven't posted before but I really liked Johnny's character, and I'm so disappointed he's going. I thought he'd be there for at least another year.

Hate that it's likely going to be an ending with Luca. The July episodes always jarred with me. Johnny was just a bit too naive in the "relationship", and Luca came across a bit sleazy. Like he was the one hinting for sex, knowing that it would be Johnny's first time, persuading him to do it, then saying later on that they wouldn't work? I guess I'm going to find it hard to believe Johnny would forget that and leave his family at such short notice.

It's unlikely but hopefully Sam could be persuaded to return in the future. I'm not up for a recast but only because I think he worked so well with the others.

HI URL, welcome to the thread.

I agree, that's how the Luca storyline came across to me as well. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but I did feel like Luca preyed on Johnny's naivety a bit. That's why I'm not thrilled with the idea of Johnny running off to be with him, but I do understand that they've probably get limited options as to how they can write him out and this is probably the most 'believable'. What won't be believable is Johnny living just a few hours away (in terms of flight times) but not coming back for big family events. That's going to be really difficult to explain, and I fear they just won't really bother to do so. I don't think they'll mention Johnny much once he's gone.

I agree with Al_Stack that they've written themselves into a corner with Johnny, because from what we know of him he isn't the type to pick up sticks and leave his family, especially not to go and live in another country! I feel there would need to be a strong catalyst but I can't see what that's going to be and I have a feeling we're all going to be a bit underwhelmed by his exit.

I do think something happened behind the scenes to make Sam want to leave and I have my own idea on what that is, but it's pure speculation and nothing more. I don't think we'll ever really know unless Sam decides to speak about it in an interview at some point in the future.

I hope that we get details of Johnny's exit soon; not because I'm wishing it would happen quickly but because there still seems to be an odd 'feel' to the whole thing which is making it difficult for me to accept it's really happening.

Hi elly pretty much agree with everything you said

I appreciate that you do not want to speculate in an open discussion as to why Sam left but if you would be willing to PM me I would be really interested to hear your thoughts

Hi URl welcome to this thread.

All very sad that Johnny is going and only questions as to how he will go but nothing will feel right

Hi, thanks for the welcomes.

Yeah, no matter how they handled it, it was never going to feel exactly right. For me, it's all came too quick on and off screen.

I think everyone's thought about why Sam's decided to leave. I've seen some ideas and obviously have some of my own. I might be totally off though, I hope so. I just hope whatever the reason, it works out well for him and that he may consider a return in the future.

Just a bit of advance notice that Johnny is due to appear on Tuesday and Friday episodes with Ben scenes (the Friday one is the nearly kiss in the trailer). It probably won't be more than one scene each but it is better than nothing.

On the main forum there is speculation we might get some Eastenders Xmas pictures at midnight so we might know more about when Johnny's leaves

Thanks for this! ^^^^


For me, I've been a fan of Johnny since day one and tbh I'm glad he's going off with Luca. The July episodes around Linda's birthday were my favourites and i quite liked Luca.

Carter Christmas photo shoot out and Johnny is absent( Only Mick, Linda, Lee, Nancy and Lady Di). pretty much confirms Johnny leaves before Christmas week.

Thanks for the info. Not really a surprise but it's just as well we have confirmation so we can stop getting our hopes up.

I can't find a link to the shoot; where did you see it?

Walford web.
http://walfordweb.com/topic/10719535/3/

God, it was even more painful to look at that then I thought it was going to be.

They just don't seem complete without Johnny.

Thanks for posting.

It's awful looking. Johnny is such a big part of the family. It just seems all wrong

He just brings a real, genuine sweetness to the family. Without him they look kind of lost and empty. Even Lady Di can't save the picture.

I really hope they show them struggling to adapt after he's gone. It will feel so false if they just carry on as normal.

Exactly! I mean about 90% of their storylines revolved around Johnny when they first arrived. His and Linda's relationship was a key characteristic of the whole family. I don't think they'll ever be able to replicate that without him

I literally have no idea what "storyline" Johnny is supposed to be having. DTC said that they are keeping his "exit storyline" under wraps, so I'm glad it won't be an "I'm going to leave" then he's gone the next episode.

But if he's leaving before Christmas, how does this even allow time for Johnny to develop an exit storyline?

I think they've laid the groundwork for him to go off to Italy with Luca. That's probably the exit storyline.

http://www.eastendersultra.co.uk/new...stage-pictures

http://www.ebsp.co.uk/blog/458477892...cooter/9089613

Some info.

So looks as though Johnny's gonna leave on a scooter out of Walford - no doubt influenced by Sam Strike's real life interests.

Hopefully the exit here will be positive, especially as its suggested that his exit will tie off any loose ends.

Outcome 1: Johnny has enough of his family, and desires to venture off and find himself. He says bye to his family and Walford.

Outcome 2: Luca returns and him and Johnny reconcile - and probably have a night together. Luca asks Johnny to come back to Italy - or alternatively wants to go on a mere adventure with Johnny. They kiss, say bye to the Carters and Walford, and ride away on Johnny's scooter.

(The dreaded outcome - probably unlikely given those links)

Outcome 3: Johnny decides to rebel against his family and does a runner on his scooter. However the confused and frustrated Ben isn't happy with Johnny, and maybe the scooter brakes or something - with Ben fixing it. However Ben tampers with the brakes, so when Johnny leaves later on his scooter tragedy hits. (Ashley Cotton again).

I hope and I think it will be one of the former two. I doubt they'd bring a scooter in for the sake of it. He'll probably ride off on his scooter looking very James Dean - maybe thats why Sam Strike's seemingly having more input behind the camera in that backstage pic.

Either way it'll be a sad day for us.

I really think it'll be this one. They've already laid the groundwork for a Luca reunion. Looks like they're setting up a happy ending - I don't think the Carter's could take anymore tragedy at the minute. They already have huge Christmas storylines as it is. Also Johnny is a very loved character so I doubt they would give him a tragic ending - especially considering there has been very little promotion. They'll probably leave it open for a Johnny return.


I would also love the second outcome because I like Luca. I like Luca and Johnny together. Sam's influence with the scooter is also a positive sign. Moreover, the fact that Sam is behind the camera in the backstage photos "as he wraps up his final moments on the square" could suggest that he was having a little input into how he rides off into the sunset. There will probably be one of those camera shots that pan out as he rides off (maybe leading into the credits).

You're right though, it will be an extremely sad day for us. I won't lie, there will be tears.