Of course she has been gone longer than she was on it and for people that didn't watch during that time, i can completely see that it is hard to understand why so many people (including seemingly every Producer) has such a problem with a recast.

But the thing is, for us oldies, who are probably the people that would be most interested in a return, 21 years, or even 30 years ago really doesn't seem very long and she, and her plotline are very fresh in our memories.

As Pepsil says, she really was a crucial part of the show in the early years - it was so much more than just the first teen pregnancy storyline in the show although that was very important because it was what put the show firmly on the map and into the public consciousness 8 months in.

You know how they always have a big plot in September which is one of the most important times of the year for attracting audiences. So this week we've had Grant's return, 2 years ago it was Phil and Sharon's wedding, Phil's shooting, the rape, 2012 it was Ronnie'ks return, 2010 it was the vic fire etc, etc. Well the first year, it was Michelle revealing she was pregnant and mystery over the patentiry. The second year it was whether she would marry Lofty. She really was incredibly important and for anybody that did see it, it is hard to forget or imagine anybody else playing the part.

Also, re Tully, she was already very well known to a certain age group due to having been in Grange Hill for 4 years straight before EE. She was, aside from Wendy Richards, the most previously well known actor in the founding cast. So, there is that issue as well.

By the way, all that doesn't mean she was universally loved. Personally i thought she was an annoying, judgemental, know it all, sour faced moocow for most of her time in the show.

But, she was a major part of the show, and for me, being about the same age, a major part of my teen and young adult life as i grew up with her on Grange Hill and then EE.

So, a recast seems harder for me in a way it wouldn't for a character like Martin where the teenaged, young adult one wasn't even the original anyway.

It might have been funny if they had tried though

What would be the point of bringing her back. She has a husband, a good career and a home in America. She'd just shuffle round the square much as Kathy does. Her son is old enough to make his own way if he returns, it's not as if he doesn't have plenty of family here. I can't think for the life of me why she'd want to start slumming it in Walford.

I have watched since her days in the soap also, but how is recasting disregarding long term viewers? Nostalgia is probably the only reason they would be against a recast and in my opinion the character is more important to the shows history than a single actress.

I'm not saying I dislike her, I actually really like Sue Tully and if Michelle was to return I would prefer Sue to reprise the role- however as she has always said and shown- she won't return so i wouldn't hate or be against a recast on principle.

Just what i was going to say. A recast might be okay for some who don't know Michelle well but Susan Tully was such an integral part of EastEnders as Michelle that I can't see it working out. Better off leaving things the way they are.

Cobblers. Tullys face "was" Michelle Fowler but twenty years on she isnt. If they recast her, she would be forgotten soon enough.

Thanks for all the interesting replies. Good to see both sides.

I just feel the character is referred to often enough to be recast. She's part of one of the biggest families on the show and they're always "talking to her on the phone" etc. No one even cares about Sue Tully. I'm not saying she has be be recast as a regular character just to make it more interesting for the connected characters eg Sharon, Martin etc if she was. I just can't see the point of referring to a character that we are never ever going to see again. If they don't want to recast then kill her off if she's so insignificant.

Brilliant post,and put much better than me

Clearly you haven't read all the posts of you are saying no-one cares about Sue Tully.

BIB Pauline and Lou Beale were quite definitely not supporting cast

That was it.

Mark visited Michelle before he died and they agreed that that's how she'd remember him. I can buy that based on how Mark was about his illness (not wanting to deteriorate in Walford around his mum and younger brother etc) and his close relationship with Michelle.

I can't even remember what they said about Pauline. I only remember Martin calling Michelle selfish.

It would be stupid to recast her and undermine the shows history. Allow us to have our memories intact rather than recast with someone else.

I love the fact they have woven her in without her being there, played into the shows history and the characters relationships. Michele couldn't wait to leave Walford, why would she want to go back?

This is Eastenders, not Home and Away, These characters are important - Michele, Angie, Den, etc etc. Those icons of soap history should never be recast

Well said. If Michelle were to be recast, I believe it would weaken the character and spoil the memories that many of us have of those early years of EastEnders we enjoyed so much.

Thought it was just me!

Yes, just leave it. She can serve no useful purpose now, and she seems to have made a good life for herself post-EE.

Oh yes, and nu-Martin is ten times the actor and character than the old one (sorry, James!). Nu-Ben is the best Ben yet as well.

This was a silly idea. Why on earth would Michelle write to Peggy and tell the truth about Mark. Had Peggy received this letter she would have done the motherly thing and told Grant. Surely Michelle would or should have known this, so why write the letter? Really crazy idea from the writers to do this. I know they had to think of a way to bring this storyline up but they should have thought of a better idea than this.

I agree in part but this 'loose end' with regards to Mark being Grant's son, they should have had Michelle return briefly if they were going to bring out the secret as this storyline involved Michelle just as much as it involves Grant and Mark. Michelle is the missing link in this storyline.

LOL - Hilarious.

Clearly I'm not meaning or taking everything as literal as you are....I meant it in a broad sense. Apologies if I was not clear enough. In my defence, I did say it was a "silly question"....

I'm unswayed - I just can't get my head around why people would think a character who has not been in the show for 25 years or something could still hold so much power. There is absolutely no necessity for the character what-so-EVER!!!

She was an iconic character and I never want her recasted. People who watched the show in the 80's have a certain memory of Michelle and would not want that ruined. Obviously i would love her to come back but only if it was Susan Tully.

BIB Speak for yourself I'm young at heart thanks.

And if they recast Michelle they will have Mr Silver to deal with and the consequences will be dire for all concerned

A lot of viewers weren't born when EE started. Don't they count? I was born then and watched it for many years from the beginning and thought she was an awful character - miserable, surly, sulky. Just because she was one of the original characters doesn't mean that she can't be criticised and can't be recast.

I would say no they don't. If you never saw Michelle on screen then why would you want her back as a recast? It makes no sense. Those who grew up with her character have a connection, those who didn't don't. So I see why they should have the right to demand a recast on a character they do not know.

That would be like new viewers in 10 years time asking for Lil Mo to be recast. It wouldn't work.

I disagree. No character/actor is so important that the character cannot be recast. I'm talking in general terms there by the way, not just EE.

Once a character reaches a certain iconic status they simply cannot be recast. Could you have imagined a new actor playing Den in 2003? it would never have worked. Or a new actress taking over the role of Dot in the 90s after June left? and more recent a new actress playing Bianca in 2008? Michelle fits into the exact same bracket.

Maybe they should have recast Grant as Ross has never wanted a permanent return. Or maybe they can recast Janine or Carol or Simon.