https://twitter.com/SamStrike/status/694644117679149056

Never thought I'd see the day where Mr Strike would post a topless on social media (sort of).

You're welcome.

In a sense I'm proud of him for this, it's a sign that him being in LA (and being with Aurora) has really grown his confidence.

It definitely took me by surprise when I saw that picture. In a good way. Of course Sam doesn't just go for the traditional gratuitous topless shot, he has to give it his own quirky twist.

He does look like he's lost some weight, I guess maybe there's more pressure in LA to keep yourself looking fit and toned. He always looks great to me, though. I notice he was at an audition the other day, I hope he gets something lined up soon as it's all gone very quiet for him on the work front.

Haha typical Sam. I love how he is so himself on social media - or seemingly so anyways.

I think he worked out for his roles in Bonded By Blood 2 and Leatherface, but maybe works out less now so isn't so muscly. Still beautiful though (I almost prefer him with slightly less muscle but thats just me). LA is a very driven place and a lot of people are very driven (saying from experience of being there) so I think the pressure is natural as many in LA have that mindset, especially so in the entertainment industry.

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...habnam-masood/

Johnny number 1 on this list (though unsure if the list is a top 7 or just a random 7). I'm overdue a YouTube run of old Johnny scenes from his first 6 months on the Square me thinks.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-...-johnny-carter

Radio Times confirm that Johnny is to be recast. Please don't let them screw this up!

I think George Shelley would make a great new Sausage! He has said his passion is acting and has made no secret of the fact he wants a role in a soap.

Just replied to you in the thread on the MF but yes, I would be okay with that scenario. Provided George can act, of course. He's certainly the right age and pretty enough to be our Johnny. However they may choose to go with an unknown actor for this role.

Just saw your reply! Glad you agree with me about George. I can somehow really see him fitting into the Carters. The accent may be a problem but they could explain that away with his travelling ha ha.

You would think there must have been a long list of potential Johnny's from 2013 they could go back to?

I think they'll definitely line up quite a few for audition, it'll be a popular role for sure so they'll have their pick of some good young actors. They'll need to screen test auditionees for chemistry with the rest of the Carter actors as that was something Sam had in spades. And I wouldn't be surprised if they specifically look for someone who works well with Harry Reid as it seems almost inevitable that Ben and Johnny will happen at some point.

I still hate Ben! I often wonder if Sam left to avoid doing the Johnny/Ben storyline. Paul has always felt like a bad stand-in to me.

So glad Johnny is coming back though. The Carters lost their heart when he left.

See, I thought I'd hate Ben as a character (I certainly used to!) but Harry Reid plays him so well that I can't help but like him. Agreed about Paul, he just hasn't worked for me at all and I think that's because, like you, he just feels like a bad replacement for Johnny.

Totally agree that Johnny coming back will give the Carters their heart back. I'm just praying the actor they choose will be good, and that Johnny won't have lost the sweetness that made him so endearing in the first place.

I hope they don't change the character too much either, Johnny was so sweet (for an EastEnders character anyway!) and I hope he doesn't come back as another generic "bad boy".

The Ben character irritates the hell out of me, especially given that in his last incarnation he was out to everyone including Phil and Abi and no-one had a problem with it! No idea why they chose to stick him back in the closet.

Can't disagree with either of those points.

What kind of storylines would people like to see for Johnny when he returns?

I think the main thing I wouldn't like to see is him paired up with Ben immediately on his arrival! Which is of course what they will do.

What stories would you like to see? Would Gianluca come back too?

Gianluca was just a plot device for Johnny to lose his virginity, but with Sam leaving he became a convenient excuse for Johnny to leave. I'd rather not see him back tbh, I don't think he's needed.

I'd like to see Johnny resume his studies to become a lawyer as it gives his character some longer term prospects. I always wanted them to do an anxiety storyline with him but it won't happen now that Lee has depression as it would be overkill. To start with I'd just like to see him reconnecting with his family. I wonder if Linda will tell him about her rape?

I suppose eventually I would like to see him in a really hot and awesome relationship with a guy that's worthy of him!

Yes in particular to your last point!

Johnny missed so much of the Carter drama that I can't help thinking he had a lucky escape. Wonder how much he is supposed to have been told?

He hasn't been told anything about Dean I don't think. When Linda told Nancy and Lee she specifically told them not to say anything to Johnny. But when Johnny left, he was fairly friendly with Dean so he's inevitably going to ask where he went when he returns home.

I do wonder if he knows that Shirley is Mick's mother? That's quite a big thing not to know!

You forget that really all the Carters' big storylines kicked off after Johnny left!

Sam talking about the recast here:

http://go.dspy.me/voM

He's being a lot more direct here about his reasons for leaving then he has previously. Interesting that he thought the character went stale - something many of us voiced at the time as well. It's actually a bit sad to hear him talk about it like that as it makes me think they might have kept Sam if they'd given Johnny something a bit more interesting to do.

Bye bye EastEnders. Refuse to watch this from here on out.

At least have the courtesy to keep this thread going and make a fresh Johnny Carter/(whoever the actor is) appreciation thread.

All the best to you all on this thread.

The thread is for both Sam and Johnny. I'm sorry you're no longer going to watch the show and I'll miss talking with you on here, but there's no reason why we can't continue to be positive about both Sam's career and Johnny as a character on here. After all, we love both of them!

I was out last night and missed the news

At this point I am excited and nervous at the news. I don't have an issue with them recasting Johnny as Sam was never going to return. I feel the Carter family needs Johnny back and there is a plenty of storylines that they can do. It will be great to have Johnny back at the Vic

Of course getting the right person to play Johnny will be really important but EE did a great job with Shabnam and Martin so no reason to believe they cannot find a really good actor who can take on the role of Johnny and bring their own twist to make it their own. The Carter Family and Johnny are really important to DTC and he will want to get the casting right and make sure the new actor works with his family.

I do think that Ben will play a big part in Johnny's future storyline and with such a good actor as Harry Reid there could be some amazing scenes between the new Johnny and Harry. I do hope they develop some good storylines for Johnny and not just about Ben

I hope that they won't change Johnny as a character but being overseas we might see a more confident Johnny .

You missed all the excitement.

I agree with everything in your post. DTC does have a good track record for recasting and because Johnny is so close to his heart, he'll want to get it right. But it's still going to be nerve-wracking waiting to see who they choose to play this role, and then nerve-wracking to see how he plays it and how Johnny is going to be written when he returns?

I think I'd accept a more confident Johnny but I hope he doesn't lose his sweetness and awkwardness that made him so endearing.

After hearing the news this morning I hope it won't be too long before we get some news as to who is playing Johnny and when they will start on screen.

I don't want the new Johnny to be a known name but a young unknown actor which lots of talent a bit like Harry Reid who has proven to be great in the role of Ben I know this might sound superficial but the look of the actor is important and if they get it right makes it easier to move on Sam.

Just thinking about when Johnny could return don't you think it would be great if he turned up for Linda's birthday in July. Maybe Mick does a party in the Vic and secretly arranges for Johnny to be the big surprise present. Can you imagine the look on Linda with Ben and Paul watching on. Timings wise it could neatly tie in with him announcing that he is back and returning to his studies in September.

That would be a good time for him to return. It's also quite feasible. I'm sure I read somewhere that scripts get written 4-6 months in advance so if they're looking at casting Johnny now, they may have just started writing or at least outlining his return.

DTC tweeted yesterday that the contract had not been signed for the new Johnny but assume they are close or know who they want and just going through the legal stuff.

Danny Dyer reweeted the news of the Johnny recast but made no comment (no like Danny to keeep quiet!). Danny did say he did not want Johnny to be recast but I am sure he and Kellie will have say on who gets the role. Sam and Kellie in particular developed a fantastic on screen chemistry as mother and son and new Johnny will need to be able to reproduce that.

In terms of storylines for Johnny when he arrives I would like to see him helping Lee with his depression. There is a great bond between Lee and Johnny and we only had small moments of that when Sam was around but it would be good to see the two brothers deal with something serious together and maybe Johnny being the strong one who helps his brother through his illness.