Linda lives not far from me, apparently she is a very private person.

I always find her Autumn absences very noticeable - partly because they do make such a plot point out of her exit and return.

It was the same with Palmer's and Wood's absences and the panto breaks for mcFadden, Ritchie and back in the 90s Letitia Dean. Sharon having a big blow up and fleeing the Square for 3 months on xmas day just became a joke after a couple of years.

I know the argument that everybody is entitled to a holday (of course everybody is), that these actors have a lot of screen time the months they do work and we'd all do it if we could but I actually do think it damages the show. A character being missing for 2 or 3 weeks (a normal holiday break) is fine - you don't notice it. Being missing for 2 or 3 months is too big a gap imo.

I always find it noticeable when she is off screen but then she is one of my favourite characters so...

Completely agree. You are on point. So true.

It does feel strange not seeing Shirley at the moment. I am so used to seeing her in almost every episode. When is Shirley back? Linda Henry deserves a break anyway because she has been used a lot this year and she must have been worn out. I hope she wins an award for the NTA's because I dont' think she has ever been nominated.

I think it's because characters disappear in short bursts throughout the year as the show focusses on different characters and stories. But in Shirley's case, she takes a lot of that time in one go so it comes across that she's around prominently for ages and then offscreen for large amounts of time.

Glad you agree!

I think she is back mid November. Or the later half of Nov. I hope she wins or at least gets shortlisted. Linda Henry is often overlooked but she is one of the best actresses on EastEnders atm.

If Linda gets nominated, I doubt that she would bother to attend.

Why's that. I know some never go to award ceremonies but Linda has attended some, most recently with Louisa,

2012 she didn't reappear until 3rd December so late November -early December but defiantly before Christmas

As would I. Just pointing out it's been this way for almost as long as Linda has been a cast member

I didn't notice to be honest, I thought that Shirley had been in it almost consistently since I've been watching, shows how much I know!

They've only started writing her breaks into the show in recent years. She used to just vanish or appear briefly once a month but she's more prominent now so they have to address her absences. Poor Billy Mitchell. He can be gone for months without anyone batting an eye lid

I'm pretty sure that actors jave a say in whether they are nominated or not - the long list for the NTA's is submitted by the production teams. They'd rather be shooting themselves in the foot to put forward somebody that won't turn up on principle - either because they protect their privacy too much or they just don't agree with Awards - which some actors don't.

Yesn 12, 13 and 14 have all been quite big plots but I can't remember how they explained it in prior years. 2011 for example when she must have gone quite soon after the Southend episodes when Andrew Cotton came in - was there Ann on screen reason given for her absence? Especially as it would have been co-inciding with the beginnings of the Ben stalking Phil storyline.

You see I think most years they could have got away with Shirley just going to the background for a few weeks (like Billy) rather than making a big thing of writing her out, seemingly never to return (except we all know she will) as they have done for the last 3 years.

She has been pretty prominent all year, so she must be due a break

bib: Like the BAFTAs, Emmys or Golden Globes with Maggie Smith?

They are all voted for by industry rather than the General public which makes a bit of a difference I think.

I'm not saying they can't put forward somebody that doesn't like award ceremonies (after all they'll put forward the person they think stands the best chance of winning) but when there are so many candidates (what is the size of the cast now - 40?) most of whome would love the kudos a nomination or even better win would bring them, it would seem to make more sense to me to put forward somebody that will 'play the game', attend and provide positive publicity for the show.

ETA: I didn't know that Maggie Smith took a principled stand *gainst awards. That's interesting. Quite odd that she accepted an OBE since that is an award of sorts and recognition of her work and career.