Has he failed? I mean, he's always been a plot device rather than an actual character, so in that sense, he's fulfilled his function.

It's clear they never had any intention of him staying long-term. Outside of the Ben storyline, he didn't exist. They put him in Blades with two characters who were on their way out. He had no agency as a character, which is why he put up with Ben treating him appallingly. Then he watched Ben assault Abi in public, and went straight into a relationship with him, which just made him look like a mug.

So I don't think he's failed, because he was never meant to succeed.

I don't think he failed. He was a B-list maybe even C-list character and he was coasting along fine, adding something to Ben's coming out story and the Cokers' cross-dressing/bribery story. A character doesn't need to be a headliner to be a success.

It's a shame that the actors playing these secondary characters get bored and move on quickly. Paul had some mileage left in him. He certainly didn't need to be killed off, but it'll be interesting to see how Ben transforms after his death.

Agree with this - another decent character who didn't get the development needed. Not the best or worst actor and just seems like such a waste of energy to keep introducing characters and then ignoring them.

I don't think he has failed as a character. I for one really liked him and think many others did too. I don't think he would be leaving if the actor hadn't chosen to leave because he got a better job.

He's just plain boring!!

He actually did some acting in last night's episode towards the end.

He did indeed

Not true. It wasn't his decision to leave, it says so in this article:

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...ker-exit-news/

The job he has is the main role in a play at the Edinburgh Festival - which is a great thing to secure immediately after leaving, but only a short-term role. If he'd really wanted to do it then I'm sure the producers, if they'd wanted him to stay, would have given him a bit of time off.

Shame he's off now

I agree. The writers put no effort into making Paul a character in his own right.

Okay, i didn't know that.

I'd assumed it was his choice as the new role was announced at the same time as his leaving.

I admit I didn't like Paul to begin with, but I actually have grown to like him now......( I don't know if that is to do with the fact he's leaving....)

I think maybe he's come across as too overly "nice".....has anyone ever seen him lose his temper ( apart from Tuesday?)...

I haven't seen much integration between him and all the other characters either.

He could have stayed and been more of "filler" type character. I don't think I would have wanted to see him in big, meaty roles though.

I think they had to, as the play had been announced and rumours were starting to go round.

I'm guessing the original plan was for something like what happened when Shabnam left ie. not confirm it until the episode had aired.

It's really annoying when a character becomes interesting just before they exit the show

Poor acting for a start.

I rather like him. I agree his development as a character has been slow but that doesn't necessarily mean that he has failed.

We need some characters in the show who are decent and not out and out villains like the rest of them.

I didn't know that either, I thought he had chosen to leave for other roles and defended him against someone saying he as axed.

I guess then it was right, as soon as johnny re-cast plans were made Paul became surplus to requirements again so they wrote him out.

I think the actor was never treated well cos his chrarcter was never a character and he got no chance to develop him. the hair aside and shocking facial expressions aside, the actor should of been given more of a chance. (he should of been allowed a haircut and to burn that aliceband too)

yes that's coming from me one of the biggest haters of the hair

I'm sorry to see him go now. He never got given much and was just token gay nice guy for too long with nothing else to learn about his personality. Now as he's going they're giving him more. It would have been nice to see where they took him and Ben running the business.

It's typical EE too though. A character (Ben) has a chance of happiness after more turmoil than anyone in real life could ever go through....so of course another enormous tragedy is just around the corner. I don't know how any of these people in this soap keep going on with their lives it's so depressing.

Surprised that only one person got the correct answer!

This is such a DS forum cliche. Jonny Labey has shown he's a completely adequate actor from what he's been given. It's not his fault his character wasn't given any meaty storylines.

That my friend is purely a matter of opinion

come to think of it, what did Paul do for living?

Eh? He's inheriting the family business from the Cokers although something tells me he won't be around to run it.

what I meant, when he got up in morning, did he go to work somewhere? like Ben & Jay going to the garage, and Ian to the Caf or Restaurant ?

He was a hairdresser and since the salon closed he appears to have been helping with the flower stall and the funeral business.