...but just how necessary was this?

After all, not only is it the case that for a long time, EE bosses were reluctant to re-cast the character because original actress Susan Tully is so heavily associated with the role...but since her departure in 1995, there have been many moments where she should have (or at least could have) returned, but either Tully was approached but declined, or Tully was not approached at all.

Since leaving EE to turn to directing (and perhaps fear that a return to her original role might have a negative effect on her post-EE career), Michelle has been absent from the following key events in her family's history:

(1) the funeral of her father, Arthur, in 1996;
(2) the funeral of her brother Mark in 2004 ('she was too busy sunning herself in Florida', according to her mother Pauline - and yet Michelle's daughter Vicki was present);
(3) the wedding reception of her younger brother Martin (again, Vicki was present);
(4) the 'real' funeral of Dirty Den in 2005 (this time, no Vicki)
(5) Pauline marrying Joe Macer in 2006 (once again, no Vicki);
(6) Pauline's funeral in 2007, which suffered not only from the absence of Michelle (who inherited Pauline's life-savings) and Vicki, but also that of Sharon Watts, Derek Harkinson (played by Ian Lavender) and even Dr. Harold Legg (who re-appeared a few months later, in one-to-one with Dot Branning.

Michelle's long overdue return also comes after the death of Pauline's enemy Peggy Mitchell, whose reaction to Grant being the father of one of Michelle's sons, we never got to see.

Michelle will have a hell of a lot of explaining to do, for her many absences - and Ian Beale is the only 'true' relation of hers, to still be around after all these years (though he should NOT be killed off - ever) and struggle to bring her fully up-to-date.

Now, if Vicki were to return...any ideas as to who should play her?

I hope there's an interesting story why she's back


There also her brother Martin and niece Bex.

About as necessary as this thread when there are already about 10 others on the same subject?



Sorry, I ran out of Christmas spirit at 12.01 last night.

I knew what your post said before I opened the thread . Do you need some of this

OP I agree with what you are saying, I have posted as much in a few other threads. Maybe you could copy and paste into some of the existing discussions as I am sure folk will want to discuss what you say

Should have been done when Mark returned. I hope they bring Ned in full time as henwas so sexy and tbf didn't get much in his short stint.

I think it was time to recast or kill her off as Sue wouldn't return and I'm sure even she is sick of getting pestered to come back just as we are asking for it and many opposed to the recast. It had to be one or the other.

Oh yes! A vat of Shiraz should take the edge off, thanks

Oh yes, I completely forgot he is her brother. Can't get used to the new face tho. Looks more like a boy with hair like that.

I think the character is too memorable to be fitting a new face..... and I'd have preferred one that at least resembled the original instead of a copy of Jane Beale...

Yes, but they were absent from Walford from 2007 onwards.

Surely someone here agrees that Tully/Michelle is the most notable (and thus shameful) absentee, when it comes to family events in Walford, happy or sad?

This would have made for excellent viewing - almost a recreation of Pauline and her arch-enemy Peggy having a showdown in the Vic, when it was discovered that Louise Fowler was actually a Mitchell.

Kill Michelle off? That would leave Martin on his own!

Then again, Martin was never as identifiable as other Fowlers...was he?

Yep, Zoe Slater is another one who's missed events happening in Walford:

2001: Missed Gary and Lynne's wedding (was on the streets at the time)
2010: Missed Kat giving birth to Tommy
2014: Missed Kat giving birth to Bert and Ernie
2014: Missed Kat and Alfie's wedding
2016: Missed Charlie's funeral

mark jnr is obviously going to appear at some point, then we will get left with him whilst she buggers off into the sunset most probably

Sorry, but Zoe Slater/Michelle Ryan does not come close to matching the appalling absence that Michelle Fowler/Susan Tully has demonstrated since leaving EE - Zoe missed two weddings which were less than spectacular (Garry marrying Lynne (but staying behind for too long after she left him) and Kat and Alfie re-marrying) and the funeral of somebody who caused a fair bit of damage to others (notably Kat and Alfie) when he was living in Walford. Whereas Michelle missed four funerals (Arthur, Mark, Dirty Den (for real) and Pauline) and three weddings (Mark marrying Lisa, Martin marrying Sonia, and Pauline marrying Joe) in which the marriage was doomed from the start.

So re-introducing Michelle after too long, really is pointless!