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Devoted fans of soaps?


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Old 18-05-2015, 00:30
Harlowe
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I was just wondering what are people's opinion on 'devoted' or 'obsessed' fans of soaps, I mean ones who physically go to events or where the soap is film and hang about hoping for a picture or autograph, do you agree with it or do you think it's a step too far?

I enjoy my soaps and talk about them online but that is as far as my fandom goes, I've never gone in search of soap celebrities but it seems to be coming the norm, that is obviously been my choice but do you think it's acceptable behaviour, part and parcel of what actors do or should it be restricted?

Thoughts?
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Old 18-05-2015, 00:38
Pink_Smurf
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If you live nearby a set then I suppose it's harmless fun to get your photo taken with a soap star on the odd occasion but I think travelling hundreds of miles which isn't that cheap is going too far. Some people travel long distance on a regular basis across the sea even which I think is a bit obsessive. I suppose the stars think it's part and parcel of fame. If no one wants their photo taken with a "star" it's time for them to worry.
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Old 18-05-2015, 00:47
Harlowe
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If you live nearby a set then I suppose it's harmless fun to get your photo taken with a soap star on the odd occasion but I think travelling hundreds of miles which isn't that cheap is going too far. Some people travel long distance on a regular basis across the sea even which I think is a bit obsessive. I suppose the stars think it's part and parcel of fame. If no one wants their photo taken with a "star" it's time for them to worry.
True, I seen a few people who do seem to spend a lot of time and money travelling around to various locations to meet the stars, I guess it no different to any other fandom, I just find it interesting how devoted some people can be,

I've never had that fascination with it myself so sometimes do find it baffling especially how frustrate some can get spending ages waiting to meet them and never do especially when there no guaranteed you will, Tom Felton documentary about the super fans is interesting quite eye opening, until I come on here I didn't realize how prolific it is within soaps.
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Old 18-05-2015, 01:01
ericos
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I would do anything but watch them, having said that back in the early 70s I went to see Stan Ogden & Jerry Booth at the Ford dealer down the road opening the new showroon (Stan) & body shop (Jerry)
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Old 18-05-2015, 02:01
dd68
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I love the shows but I wouldn't dream of bothering any of the cast at their place of work
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Old 18-05-2015, 03:46
craig_25
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I was an extra in HO about 8 years ago when I loved the show, but I was disappointed that I didn't get the chance to meet anyone I loved.

There are 3 bars I know of in Leeds where you are guaranteed to bump into an Emmerdale actor on a Saturday night and I've been lucky enough to meet Kelvin Fletcher, Sammy Winward, Karl Davies, Natalie Anderson, Chris Fountain, Rik Makarem, Danny Miller and James Sutton over the years. Depending on the situation / atmosphere you know whether to approach them or not. They are on a night out after all!
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Old 18-05-2015, 05:56
curvybabes
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I enjoy following my favourites online but that's as far as it goes for me, although if I lived near studios then my nosiness would take over but I suspect a day hanging about and in the cold would put me right off.
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Old 18-05-2015, 11:06
wizardt
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A fan has recently travelled all the way to Manchester from Ireland to meet the cast members at the Soap Awards. She even met Dominic-Treadwell Collins according to her Twitter and he replied back to her tweet. I think she goes to the EastEnders studios every few months. A very devoted fan. I love EastEnders but I can't be bothered to meet cast members.
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Old 18-05-2015, 11:16
Hankshaw
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I was just wondering what are people's opinion on 'devoted' or 'obsessed' fans of soaps, I mean ones who physically go to events or where the soap is film and hang about hoping for a picture or autograph, do you agree with it or do you think it's a step too far?

I enjoy my soaps and talk about them online but that is as far as my fandom goes, I've never gone in search of soap celebrities but it seems to be coming the norm, that is obviously been my choice but do you think it's acceptable behaviour, part and parcel of what actors do or should it be restricted?

Thoughts?
It used to be most were happy with sending a letter and waiting a few weeks for a signed photo. Maybe social media has led to more people wanting to show off photos of meeting the actors and so more people do it to build up their collections and get photographs with the most famous and rarer ones.

I think its part and parcel of the business to be asked for an autograph or a picture. I remember Jake Wood got some rude comments on Twitter because he refused someone a photograph or something. His point was that he was on his day off and with his children and didn't want to get into signings and photographs, which would take his attention away from his kids. So I guess you do have to be considerate when you approach them.
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Old 18-05-2015, 11:50
Harlowe
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I enjoy following my favourites online but that's as far as it goes for me, although if I lived near studios then my nosiness would take over but I suspect a day hanging about and in the cold would put me right off.
That would me, I get impatient waiting in line so a few hours would put me off.

A fan has recently travelled all the way to Manchester from Ireland to meet the cast members at the Soap Awards. She even met Dominic-Treadwell Collins according to her Twitter and he replied back to her tweet. I think she goes to the EastEnders studios every few months. A very devoted fan. I love EastEnders but I can't be bothered to meet cast members.
Yeah I know her many do on here, she has family in england so she only does it when she visits I believe,she has a lot of knowledge of how it all works.



It used to be most were happy with sending a letter and waiting a few weeks for a signed photo. Maybe social media has led to more people wanting to show off photos of meeting the actors and so more people do it to build up their collections and get photographs with the most famous and rarer ones.

I think its part and parcel of the business to be asked for an autograph or a picture. I remember Jake Wood got some rude comments on Twitter because he refused someone a photograph or something. His point was that he was on his day off and with his children and didn't want to get into signings and photographs, which would take his attention away from his kids. So I guess you do have to be considerate when you approach them.
True, social media probably had enhanced how prolific it is, there are dozens of twitters dedicated to actors/actress and people who go round to events/studios to meet them, I think there is a fine line if they are with families and in their own time etc it should be a no go but most seem pretty amendable and happy to pose for a picture but some can be funny about it if they don't get a picture with who they want.

I know Jake Wood got hassle a few years back with people hanging outside he house, it was on twitter he got really annoyed rightly so.
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Old 18-05-2015, 11:54
Hank1234
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https://instagram.com/p/2xTGmXHqLS/?taken-by=rickhard82

I met Antia Dobson at the soap awards
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Old 18-05-2015, 12:01
GracieL
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I really enjoy watching Corrie but I live in NZ, there would be no way I would travel all the way to the UK just to visit the set. That would be madness. I am not that obsessed. If you live in Manchester though I don't see the problem popping over every now and again to meet the cast.

Though I am considering visiting Palm Beach when I go to Sydney, but I am not specifically going to Sydney to visit Palm Beach. Just an added bonus.
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Old 18-05-2015, 12:01
Harlowe
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That's great I'm surprised she there was she presenting an award?

Organised events seem a good and better way for people to meet the stars.
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Old 18-05-2015, 12:06
Hank1234
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That's great I'm surprised she there was she presenting an award?

Organised events seem a good and better way for people to meet the stars.
Not sure... But she did leave before the harmony had finished
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Old 18-05-2015, 12:06
Harlowe
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I really enjoy watching Corrie but I live in NZ, there would be no way I would travel all the way to the UK just to visit the set. That would be madness. I am not that obsessed. If you live in Manchester though I don't see the problem popping over every now and again to meet the cast.

Though I am considering visiting Palm Beach when I go to Sydney, but I am not specifically going to Sydney to visit Palm Beach. Just an added bonus.
I don't see a huge issue with it as it part of being in a well known soap, as long as people are respectful it should be ok, I guess I was interested in seeing people's view on the topic as it seems to be a big thing like I've seen some tweets from people who go to theses events etc and they seem to get really upset when they couldn't meet who they want or the star didn't stop for them.
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Old 18-05-2015, 12:43
emmerfarmer
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My fandom goes as far as collecting old episodes. I have most of emmerdale but not all. Same as corrie. Hollyoaks I have from 2011
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Old 18-05-2015, 13:07
BadRomance
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I've been to Palm Beach a few times. There is always a lot of fans watching. The cast expect it and are always really nice to the fans and will stop for a chat and photo.
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Old 18-05-2015, 13:17
sorcha_healy27
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I've met emmet scanlon but by pure chance in the street but didn't ask for a picture though. He was with his daughter. However he was lovely. I met Chris fountain in a nightclub and he was also nice. However I wouldn't travel specifically to meet/see them.
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Old 18-05-2015, 13:27
olivej
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I was just wondering what are people's opinion on 'devoted' or 'obsessed' fans of soaps, I mean ones who physically go to events or where the soap is film and hang about hoping for a picture or autograph, do you agree with it or do you think it's a step too far?

I enjoy my soaps and talk about them online but that is as far as my fandom goes, I've never gone in search of soap celebrities but it seems to be coming the norm, that is obviously been my choice but do you think it's acceptable behaviour, part and parcel of what actors do or should it be restricted?

Thoughts?
each to their own, I dont think its really any different to following your favourite football team around the country to different matches or going to comic con or something similar

no, I dont think it should be restricted - as long as fans dont cross the line and take it to another level, doing to the studio where the soap is being filmed - fine, going to actors house to see actor - so not fine

Ive never done it btw but I dont think there is anything wrong with it
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Old 18-05-2015, 16:57
Deschanel
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I don't think you can compare it to football fans or Comic Con. You're paying to see your football team play, while the Comic Con event is a chance to interact with the cast and showrunners, and both are genuine experiences. Paying money to travel to hang outside the studios in the hope of an autograph and a 5 minute interaction is not the same kind of experience; it's not something being put on for you like CC (unless it's a public signing or something).

I've never had the compulsion to trek miles to events or to the studios just to meet the cast of my fave soaps. But people do. People go to Sydney just to meet the cast of H&A; people go to Melbourne just to do the Neighbours tour; people trek all the way to London just for the chance to possibly meet the EE cast.

I'd only consider doing things like that if I was in the area. If I was holidaying in Melbourne, then I might consider taking a day out to do the Neighbours tour (not sure I'd do the Neighbours Night as well - both is a bit too super-fan territory for me). I did think about going to see the Neighbours cast film in London back in 2006, when I was going to uni in the same area, but the timing was all wrong.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it, as long as people are respectful of actors and their private space; you really have to assess the situation, and know when to approach and not to approach. Personally, I've never felt right about stopping actors in the street/supermarket/tube to ask for a selfie, especially when they know they've been made and they get that freaked out look.
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Old 18-05-2015, 17:09
Danny_Francis
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I think there's a line such as visiting sets, collecting merchandise, attending award shows if your lucky, as well as, autographs and pictures if your lucky enough. Although, social media sites such as Twitter to me comes across as borderline, if not used appropriately such as slating stars like what happened to the actress who played Sunita in Corrie.
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Old 19-05-2015, 00:40
RetroMusicFan
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I suppose it's ok to follow people and ask for autographs as long as you're not stalking them and they're happy to sign autographs.

I'm not an autograph hunter myself but have had a few chance encounters with ED stars!
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