Post by Tiger on Aug 24, 2005 9:31:42 GMT 1
From the Mirror
EASTENDERS BILLY BOWS OUT
EastEnders villain to go with a bang as another star quits
By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor
EASTENDERS star Billy Murray is to quit as gangster Johnny Allen, it was revealed last night.
The actor, who made his name as Det Sgt Don Beech in The Bill, will bow out next spring after a year of terrorising the residents of Albert Square.
Announcing his departure, 64-year-old Murray said the decision to leave had been agreed with the show's executive producer Kate Harwood.
He explained: "I sat down recently with the boss and we decided it would be much better for Johnny to go out with a bang than to hang around the Square for years, ageing gracefully."
An EastEnders spokesman commented: "Billy has been a fantastic asset to the show and we wish him all the best for the future."
His exit comes amid a string of high-profile departures from the BBC1 soap.
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Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Moon, will leave in an explosive plot at Christmas alongside screen husband Alfie, played by Shane Richie. They will be followed shortly afterwards by a second Walford couple - Dennis and Sharon. Actors Letitia Dean and Nigel Harman will bow out in a big New Year storyline.
Allen's girlfriend Tina, played by Charlotte Avery, has already been axed and will appear in her final scenes in October.
The raft of farewells gives bosses the chance to build plots around the departing characters to boost viewing figures and, in the longer term, introduce new stars in a bid to overtake Coronation Street in the ratings battle.
Murray arrived in the Square as gangland boss Allen in January.
Viewers learned Allen had lost his wife Stephanie and daughter Scarlet in a fire, but he was soon joined by his other daughter, Ruby.
His first task was to take the Moon brothers, Jake and Danny, under his wing - and then he had to sort out the evil Andy Hunter.
Hated by viewers for blackmailing Kat into sleeping with him and wrecking her marriage, Hunter was pushed to his death from a bridge by Allen.
Johnny later took over the bar known as Angie's Den and renamed it Scarlet after his late daughter.
After Murray's departure, hard man antics in the Square will be left to the Mitchell brothers, who will return in the autumn
EASTENDERS BILLY BOWS OUT
EastEnders villain to go with a bang as another star quits
By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor
EASTENDERS star Billy Murray is to quit as gangster Johnny Allen, it was revealed last night.
The actor, who made his name as Det Sgt Don Beech in The Bill, will bow out next spring after a year of terrorising the residents of Albert Square.
Announcing his departure, 64-year-old Murray said the decision to leave had been agreed with the show's executive producer Kate Harwood.
He explained: "I sat down recently with the boss and we decided it would be much better for Johnny to go out with a bang than to hang around the Square for years, ageing gracefully."
An EastEnders spokesman commented: "Billy has been a fantastic asset to the show and we wish him all the best for the future."
His exit comes amid a string of high-profile departures from the BBC1 soap.
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Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Moon, will leave in an explosive plot at Christmas alongside screen husband Alfie, played by Shane Richie. They will be followed shortly afterwards by a second Walford couple - Dennis and Sharon. Actors Letitia Dean and Nigel Harman will bow out in a big New Year storyline.
Allen's girlfriend Tina, played by Charlotte Avery, has already been axed and will appear in her final scenes in October.
The raft of farewells gives bosses the chance to build plots around the departing characters to boost viewing figures and, in the longer term, introduce new stars in a bid to overtake Coronation Street in the ratings battle.
Murray arrived in the Square as gangland boss Allen in January.
Viewers learned Allen had lost his wife Stephanie and daughter Scarlet in a fire, but he was soon joined by his other daughter, Ruby.
His first task was to take the Moon brothers, Jake and Danny, under his wing - and then he had to sort out the evil Andy Hunter.
Hated by viewers for blackmailing Kat into sleeping with him and wrecking her marriage, Hunter was pushed to his death from a bridge by Allen.
Johnny later took over the bar known as Angie's Den and renamed it Scarlet after his late daughter.
After Murray's departure, hard man antics in the Square will be left to the Mitchell brothers, who will return in the autumn
There isnt anybody in EE at the moment who I really LIKE.