Tina Dingle in Emmerdale. Quite a major character back in the day, who had some central storylines. Long term fans remember her, but newer viewers probably aren't aware she is Zak's eldest daughter and Belle's sister who she has never met. The last time she was mentioned was some years ago when Zak said they hadn't heard from her in years. Butch and Ben Dingle, Zak's dead sons have both been mentioned several times over the years and I think there are even photo's in the Dingle set, but never Tina.
Major characters that had no lasting impact
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Karen McDonald/Becky McDonald - Coronation Street - lumping them in together as they were practically the same character created just a few years apart. I often see the pair of them on peoples lists of 'most memorable Corrie characters' but i tend to put it more down to the fact Suranne Jones and Katherine Kelly have remained on TV and in peoples conciousness than them being amazing characters. They were big characters of their time but (in Becky's case anyway) even Roy and Kylie don't really miss her, they're fine as they are.
Silas Blissett/Toby Mills - Hollyoaks - i find it odd that the show keeps inventing these serial killers in one small village yet the minute they are found out its back to business as usual until the next serial killer decends. Everyone associated with these killers are long gone (maybe with the exception of Mercedes) and if you tuned in now you'd probably think the GHK was quite unique.
May Wright/Yusef Khan - Eastenders - find it odd that no one mentioned (when the surgery was still there) about the last two Doctors being complete nutters who blew up two houses on the Square. In fact neither were really mentioned again much and everyone kept visiting the surgery as normal with no fear of the Doctor wanting to maybe murder them.
Joe Macer - Eastenders - ok not the biggest character in EE history but more known due to the furore surrounding the character backstage, but the character literally admitted murdering (well i still say it was accidental) one of the longest serving characters then fell out of a window to his death and had the indignation of no one ever so much as mentioning him ever again, not even in the next episode, like it was so regular it didn't need mentioning.
Martin Platt - Coronation Street - Seems to have been airbrushed out of David and Sarah's lives since he left. He was on the show for 20 years and portrayed as a good Dad but since he was axed he's either been forgotten about or written as some absent father who really couldn't care less what happened to David or Sarah. Now if he is mentioned it can sometimes take a while to even remember who Martin is.
Viv Hope - Emmerdale - with her grown up children all gone, the twins supposedly always wearing their invisibility cloak (have they been seen in years), and Bob now married to Brenda (for storyline convenience IMO, i still don't really believe in them as a couple) you'd be forgiven for thinking the character had been forgettable now.
Probably loads more but they are some of the ones that spring to mind.
Silas Blissett/Toby Mills - Hollyoaks - i find it odd that the show keeps inventing these serial killers in one small village yet the minute they are found out its back to business as usual until the next serial killer decends. Everyone associated with these killers are long gone (maybe with the exception of Mercedes) and if you tuned in now you'd probably think the GHK was quite unique.
May Wright/Yusef Khan - Eastenders - find it odd that no one mentioned (when the surgery was still there) about the last two Doctors being complete nutters who blew up two houses on the Square. In fact neither were really mentioned again much and everyone kept visiting the surgery as normal with no fear of the Doctor wanting to maybe murder them.
Joe Macer - Eastenders - ok not the biggest character in EE history but more known due to the furore surrounding the character backstage, but the character literally admitted murdering (well i still say it was accidental) one of the longest serving characters then fell out of a window to his death and had the indignation of no one ever so much as mentioning him ever again, not even in the next episode, like it was so regular it didn't need mentioning.
Martin Platt - Coronation Street - Seems to have been airbrushed out of David and Sarah's lives since he left. He was on the show for 20 years and portrayed as a good Dad but since he was axed he's either been forgotten about or written as some absent father who really couldn't care less what happened to David or Sarah. Now if he is mentioned it can sometimes take a while to even remember who Martin is.
Viv Hope - Emmerdale - with her grown up children all gone, the twins supposedly always wearing their invisibility cloak (have they been seen in years), and Bob now married to Brenda (for storyline convenience IMO, i still don't really believe in them as a couple) you'd be forgiven for thinking the character had been forgettable now.
Probably loads more but they are some of the ones that spring to mind.
Danny Pennant in Eastenders.
Gary Lucy was a big name signing for his guest role and he was then brought back and had loads of potential. He was hardly used and left 8 months after his return
Gary Lucy was a big name signing for his guest role and he was then brought back and had loads of potential. He was hardly used and left 8 months after his return
Johnny Allen (EE) could be put in this category too, although his only known relative Ruby has been off the Square for years. He died in prison and was one of the most notable villains in the past decade.
Originally Posted by Scorpio87:
“Silas Blissett/Toby Mills - Hollyoaks - i find it odd that the show keeps inventing these serial killers in one small village yet the minute they are found out its back to business as usual until the next serial killer decends. Everyone associated with these killers are long gone (maybe with the exception of Mercedes) and if you tuned in now you'd probably think the GHK was quite unique.”
“Silas Blissett/Toby Mills - Hollyoaks - i find it odd that the show keeps inventing these serial killers in one small village yet the minute they are found out its back to business as usual until the next serial killer decends. Everyone associated with these killers are long gone (maybe with the exception of Mercedes) and if you tuned in now you'd probably think the GHK was quite unique.”
Silas got an episode devoted to him at Halloween last year, when Nico and Peri researched him and went to visit his old house (and the show's websites took a look back at that storyline.) It was weird though, the characters made out that Silas's crimes took place so long ago that no one remembered the truth any more. It was less than five years ago, and some of his targets are still in the village ...
The entire Costello family were prominent at the time and now forgotten. Speaking of Silas, Texas is another one - even when Dodger was still on the show he never spoke about her any more. She got quite a lot of focus back in the day, the show wanted to make out that she was "the classy one" and sell her based on that (when she was actually just as trashy as the rest ...)
Originally Posted by Sez_babe:
“Danny Pennant in Eastenders.
Gary Lucy was a big name signing for his guest role and he was then brought back and had loads of potential. He was hardly used and left 8 months after his return”
“Danny Pennant in Eastenders.
Gary Lucy was a big name signing for his guest role and he was then brought back and had loads of potential. He was hardly used and left 8 months after his return
”
Danny Pennant was not a major character.
Originally Posted by grazemytvaddict:
“I so hope the Roscoes from hollyoaks could be included on this list very soon.”
“I so hope the Roscoes from hollyoaks could be included on this list very soon.”
Yep
Joe, Freddie and Ziggy are just two dimensional. Only the twins seem to have any character development (although Robbie has been regressed) but I couldn't really care less about either of them as neither have any charisma.
Originally I think they were touted as the male equivalent to the strongly matriarchal and female McQueens but they don't even come close to being as interesting or relevant.
Kirsty Branning - EE. It seems Max "loved" Emma far more than he ever did Kirsty, as he talks about the former more than the latter even though he only dated them a few months apart. Carl White's mentioned for the purposes of the Ronnie/Vincent storyline but not Kirsty.
EDIT: I'm not claiming she's a super duper, major character but she dated one of the biggest characters on the show for a good while and was involved in a Christmas reveal (Max's secret)
EDIT: I'm not claiming she's a super duper, major character but she dated one of the biggest characters on the show for a good while and was involved in a Christmas reveal (Max's secret)
The Moon character in EastEnders played by David Essex. He was on screen non stop for months but as soon as he left I don't think he was ever mentioned again. Same thing with his sons.
I think it's easier to excuse big characters leaving no impact if they have no relatives or close friends still on the square but the Moons were still around until recently.
I personally don't like when new characters are brought in and made the "stars" of the show at the expense of longer serving characters. I'm looking at you, Carters. If they all left tomorrow they'd have left no lasting impact so why should I care?
I think it's easier to excuse big characters leaving no impact if they have no relatives or close friends still on the square but the Moons were still around until recently.
I personally don't like when new characters are brought in and made the "stars" of the show at the expense of longer serving characters. I'm looking at you, Carters. If they all left tomorrow they'd have left no lasting impact so why should I care?
Shelly CS - Not even one mention of her when Bev was back and whenever Peters bigamy is mentioned they only seem to bring up Simon's mum and don't even mention Shelly's name
Jack Branning, EastEnders.
Probably the most obvious example of a 'major' character who made no dramatic impact whatsoever. He was in the show for 7 years, at the heart of the show's biggest family at the time, and yet his exit was wrapped up in the last five minutes of one episode. Once he left it was like he'd never existed.
Probably the most obvious example of a 'major' character who made no dramatic impact whatsoever. He was in the show for 7 years, at the heart of the show's biggest family at the time, and yet his exit was wrapped up in the last five minutes of one episode. Once he left it was like he'd never existed.
Kirsty Branning seems an obviously one for me.
Potentially a great character played by a very good actress. Wasted opportunity. Plus I always wanted to see what other hats she had in her collection.
Potentially a great character played by a very good actress. Wasted opportunity. Plus I always wanted to see what other hats she had in her collection.
Originally Posted by NoughtiesMusic:
“Possibly the Di Marcos on EE. Beppe was the only one not axed when most of the family left but it was clear they were cut to make way for the Slaters.
It was a mistake to axe them IMO. A underrated family.”
“Possibly the Di Marcos on EE. Beppe was the only one not axed when most of the family left but it was clear they were cut to make way for the Slaters.
It was a mistake to axe them IMO. A underrated family.”
THIS.
In particular, Louise Jameson as Rosa. I thought she was excellent in a role which was limited and ultimately wasted. There was potential for some really explosive catfights between Rosa/Peggy and/or Pauline. I also loved her tight friendship with Irene Hills (Roberta Taylor)
Originally Posted by attitude99:
“The Ferrieras - EE.”
“The Ferrieras - EE.”
To be fair, these characters all suffered as a result of the actor playing the father having no work permit. A major storyline was originally planned for them which involved the kids suffering at the hands of their bullying father before eventually murdering him. However, as a result of the actor being fired for the work permit issue, scripts and storylines were hastily contrived and re-written....and it showed. The actors here were just victims of an unfortunate situation.
Originally Posted by vald:
“Rose Cotton. Bringing in Dot's sister could have really worked, but the actress was just so wrong for the part.”
“Rose Cotton. Bringing in Dot's sister could have really worked, but the actress was just so wrong for the part.”
Linda Marlowe, who currently plays Sylvie, would have been perfect for this part. She even slightly resembles June Brown.
Originally Posted by bass55:
“Jack Branning, EastEnders.
Probably the most obvious example of a 'major' character who made no dramatic impact whatsoever. He was in the show for 7 years, at the heart of the show's biggest family at the time, and yet his exit was wrapped up in the last five minutes of one episode. Once he left it was like he'd never existed.”
“Jack Branning, EastEnders.
Probably the most obvious example of a 'major' character who made no dramatic impact whatsoever. He was in the show for 7 years, at the heart of the show's biggest family at the time, and yet his exit was wrapped up in the last five minutes of one episode. Once he left it was like he'd never existed.”
He is still mentioned by Max and Carol on occasion. Max ranted that Jack didn't even bother to turn up for Jim's funeral. He also came up in that conversation between Ronnie and Roxy where Ronnie accused her of taking everything from her (Jack being one of them). Roxy also told Charlie that none of the men in her life really loved her - Jack's name was included.
I believe Scott Maslen said he was asked to return not long ago, but declined saying it was too soon after he left. As long as there is a Branning presence (Max will only be gone for a year), there is a place for Jack on EE if they can write him back in.
Originally Posted by NoughtiesMusic:
“He is still mentioned by Max and Carol on occasion. Max ranted that Jack didn't even bother to turn up for Jim's funeral. He also came up in that conversation between Ronnie and Roxy where Ronnie accused her of taking everything from her (Jack being one of them). Roxy also told Charlie that none of the men in her life really loved her - Jack's name was included.
I believe Scott Maslen said he was asked to return not long ago, but declined saying it was too soon after he left. As long as there is a Branning presence (Max will only be gone for a year), there is a place for Jack on EE if they can write him back in.”
“He is still mentioned by Max and Carol on occasion. Max ranted that Jack didn't even bother to turn up for Jim's funeral. He also came up in that conversation between Ronnie and Roxy where Ronnie accused her of taking everything from her (Jack being one of them). Roxy also told Charlie that none of the men in her life really loved her - Jack's name was included.
I believe Scott Maslen said he was asked to return not long ago, but declined saying it was too soon after he left. As long as there is a Branning presence (Max will only be gone for a year), there is a place for Jack on EE if they can write him back in.”
He's still mentioned occasionally, but my point was that his exit made no dramatic impact at all despite being there for seven years. In those seven years all he did was impregnate Mitchell women. Literally the day after he left it was like he'd never existed.
Originally Posted by jiroos:
“THIS.
In particular, Louise Jameson as Rosa. I thought she was excellent in a role which was limited and ultimately wasted. There was potential for some really explosive catfights between Rosa/Peggy and/or Pauline. I also loved her tight friendship with Irene Hills (Roberta Taylor)
To be fair, these characters all suffered as a result of the actor playing the father having no work permit. A major storyline was originally planned for them which involved the kids suffering at the hands of their bullying father before eventually murdering him. However, as a result of the actor being fired for the work permit issue, scripts and storylines were hastily contrived and re-written....and it showed. The actors here were just victims of an unfortunate situation.
Linda Marlowe, who currently plays Sylvie, would have been perfect for this part. She even slightly resembles June Brown.”
“THIS.
In particular, Louise Jameson as Rosa. I thought she was excellent in a role which was limited and ultimately wasted. There was potential for some really explosive catfights between Rosa/Peggy and/or Pauline. I also loved her tight friendship with Irene Hills (Roberta Taylor)
To be fair, these characters all suffered as a result of the actor playing the father having no work permit. A major storyline was originally planned for them which involved the kids suffering at the hands of their bullying father before eventually murdering him. However, as a result of the actor being fired for the work permit issue, scripts and storylines were hastily contrived and re-written....and it showed. The actors here were just victims of an unfortunate situation.
Linda Marlowe, who currently plays Sylvie, would have been perfect for this part. She even slightly resembles June Brown.”
You're right, she really does resemble June facially. Polly Perkins' (Rose) son who's a musician is dating Jessie Wallace in real life so she still has a sort link to EE.
I too think the Ferreriras suffered from that really unfortunate visa issue. It was bad circumstances and a plot re-write which led to that kidney storyline. I read there was some feeling that EE should've hired a British Asian actor to play Dan Ferreira instead of Dalip Tahill from Bollywood.
Originally Posted by seventhwave:
“Hollyoaks:
Many important characters from the show's early days e.g. Kurt, Jambo, Maddie P and others may as well now have never existed
Summer was created for a publicity stunt to promote Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Sound of Music by having the lead actress written into the show in a storyline where she auditions for Lloyd Webber and wins the role of Maria. But as soon as that finished, the character vanished and that was that. (It was also used as OB's exit ... come to think of it, he has no more legacy remaining in Hollyoaks either)
”
“Hollyoaks:
Many important characters from the show's early days e.g. Kurt, Jambo, Maddie P and others may as well now have never existed
Summer was created for a publicity stunt to promote Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Sound of Music by having the lead actress written into the show in a storyline where she auditions for Lloyd Webber and wins the role of Maria. But as soon as that finished, the character vanished and that was that. (It was also used as OB's exit ... come to think of it, he has no more legacy remaining in Hollyoaks either)
”
I swear Tom mentioned OB in one of the episodes that I caught in the past month or so.
Tony seems to have forgotten all about his friends the odd mention of Kurt or Jambo from him wouldn't go a miss.
Rosie Webster- was in Corrie for over 20 years(I think) and although she may get the odd brief mention from her family. IMO hardly any of her storylines had any major lasting impact on any other character.
David Essex (Eddie Moon) was a marquee signing at the time but his role and its impact ultimately went nowhere - such that he barely merits a mention these days....
EE: I think some of the Slaters have had no lasting impact, even when Kat was around. She never really talked about Lynne and Little Mo, and Billy never mentions his time with Little Mo, either. Meanwhile, Trevor, Garry, Minty and Dawn all had big stories/were featured prominently, but have fizzled out.
I think Pat has also become a footnote. The characters that she impacted the most - Janine, David - have gone. The Butchers has a whole have become quite irrelevant; Ricky was a major character for years, but left no lasting impression; no-one remembers Natalie.
Neighbours: Julie Martin is never mentioned. Paul, Daniel and Lucy have all talked about Scott and Charlene, Jim and Helen (we've even had flashbacks), but not once does anyone remember Julie - or any of the Martins, either.
Also, Robert Robinson seems to be a forgotten character, despite him blowing up several major characters, and trying to kill Paul. The guy is in prison, but you'd never know he ever existed now.
Home and Away: Most of the major characters of the past haven't left any legacy on the show. New viewers will never know about Selina, Saul Bennett, Stephan, Carly, Bobby, Duncan, Jesse, Hayley, Noah, Kane... Or any of the Sutherlands, Holdens (despite Jack being a popular character at the time), or that Irene has biological children.
I think once Kyle leaves, the Braxtons will go the same way, too.
ED: Lady Tara, Kathy Glover, Rachel Hughes, all of the Sugdens that aren't Jack and Sarah, Scott Windsor.
I think Pat has also become a footnote. The characters that she impacted the most - Janine, David - have gone. The Butchers has a whole have become quite irrelevant; Ricky was a major character for years, but left no lasting impression; no-one remembers Natalie.
Neighbours: Julie Martin is never mentioned. Paul, Daniel and Lucy have all talked about Scott and Charlene, Jim and Helen (we've even had flashbacks), but not once does anyone remember Julie - or any of the Martins, either.
Also, Robert Robinson seems to be a forgotten character, despite him blowing up several major characters, and trying to kill Paul. The guy is in prison, but you'd never know he ever existed now.
Home and Away: Most of the major characters of the past haven't left any legacy on the show. New viewers will never know about Selina, Saul Bennett, Stephan, Carly, Bobby, Duncan, Jesse, Hayley, Noah, Kane... Or any of the Sutherlands, Holdens (despite Jack being a popular character at the time), or that Irene has biological children.
I think once Kyle leaves, the Braxtons will go the same way, too.
ED: Lady Tara, Kathy Glover, Rachel Hughes, all of the Sugdens that aren't Jack and Sarah, Scott Windsor.
Originally Posted by vald:
“The Redmond/Hills family
The Millers
You'll not see threads asking for a comeback.
Ricky Butcher. Despite being from a major family, and being with the show for years, he was a vanilla character that is only remembered because he was married to Bianca.
Rose Cotton. Bringing in Dot's sister could have really worked, but the actress was just so wrong for the part.”
“The Redmond/Hills family
The Millers
You'll not see threads asking for a comeback.
Ricky Butcher. Despite being from a major family, and being with the show for years, he was a vanilla character that is only remembered because he was married to Bianca.
Rose Cotton. Bringing in Dot's sister could have really worked, but the actress was just so wrong for the part.”
Not with theh millers but with kathy return and ted identifies her from whatbi've heard so he has some explainibg to do. Also id quite like to see sarah again
Originally Posted by NoughtiesMusic:
“Johnny Allen (EE) could be put in this category too, although his only known relative Ruby has been off the Square for years. He died in prison and was one of the most notable villains in the past decade.”
“Johnny Allen (EE) could be put in this category too, although his only known relative Ruby has been off the Square for years. He died in prison and was one of the most notable villains in the past decade.”
Johnny was utterly destroyed by TBTB with their bizarre obsession of keeping the Philth as top dog.
In any realistic storyline Mitchell would have been put through a woodchipper and fed to the pigs within a week of 'intimidating' Allen and forcing a moron to take his daughter's virginity.
But no.
King Philth my arse.
Danny and Frankie Baldwin in Corrie.
There was such a lot of hype over Bradley Walsh and Debra Stephenson joining the cast and the fact they were going to be relatives of Corrie legend Mike Baldwin. Now pretty much forgotten by characters and viewers alike.
There was such a lot of hype over Bradley Walsh and Debra Stephenson joining the cast and the fact they were going to be relatives of Corrie legend Mike Baldwin. Now pretty much forgotten by characters and viewers alike.
I find this an odd topic because anyone who isn't linked to existing characters in any soap and isn't mentioned counts.
I mean, look at Corrie - three of their biggest characters were Bet Lynch, Raquel and Curly Watts. None of them have any ties to the cobbles despite being there decades and all 3 are very unlikely to ever return.
I mean, look at Corrie - three of their biggest characters were Bet Lynch, Raquel and Curly Watts. None of them have any ties to the cobbles despite being there decades and all 3 are very unlikely to ever return.
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