R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

EastEnders actors Joe Swash and David Spinx have been axed from the BBC soap after being told their characters had "run out of steam".

The pair – who have played son and stepfather duo Mickey and Keith Miller since 2003 and 2004 respectively – were called into a meeting with executive producer Diederick Santer on Friday when he revealed that their contracts would not be renewed.

A friend of 26-year-old Swash told The Sun: "He and David were told their characters had run out of steam by EastEnders boss Diederick Santer. Joe was stunned at first. He's loved playing Mickey and felt the fans still enjoyed watching his antics."

They added: "But he soon realised if the stories weren't there, he didn't want to be just going through the motions. He's now thinking over his next move carefully. He doesn't want to become just another former soap star."

The news comes just weeks after the announcement that Rob Kazinsky (Sean Slater) and Mo George (Gus Smith) are to quit their East-End roles at the end of the year. Only days earlier, it was revealed that Aaron Sidwell's character Steven Beale is to be written out of the show in a shock bisexual plot.

Swash recently split with his lover Emma Sophocleous only months after she gave birth to their son, Harry. Sophocleous later blasted her former lover for 'leaving her in the lurch'.

The Character have run out of steam.

As a leaving present David Spinx who plays Keith Miller will be able to take his chair. Laughing

iknewdavidjacobsmum · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 336

Thanks for that Mark, only watch EE sometimes, but know who you are talking about. Saves me asking in a year or so "Where have they gone?"

Briant · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject: Stone me!

I thought by the subject line that The Stones had broken up! Very Happy

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:34 am Post subject:

At the risk of getting into trouble, I think it is a gender thing. Most watchers of soaps are women, but lately even Mrs G, who watrches the lot, has started to ask me why she watches them. I, on the other hand am watching reruns of DS9 and Jericho, and Guiding my favoutite team to mid-table mediocrity
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Spanners · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Lincolnshire

I agree with you Geddon. I think the writers of most the soaps have lost the plot. Much rather listen to decent music now and, if I do feel like dipping back into them, it is quite easy to pick up the "plot"!! Have also discovered the"play again" option on my computer thanks to my wonderful new man, Steve. Wink

Spanners

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Useful for tightening nuts.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

EastEnders was the only soap I could tolerate, but, faced with the almost daily diet of menace, violence, thuggery, marital strife etc etc that is arguably totally unsuitable as pre-watershed general entertainment, I gave up some time ago - it's easy to follow the plots anyway from the newspapers and listings magazines, even the serious ones.

Even my wife has given up on them, so I get to indulge in University Challenge, or Wainwright's Walks, or just stick a CD on. Bliss!

I can understand actors getting upset when they're told their character is to be dropped. Usually it happens to the sort of jobbing actor who was not doing much before and is not very likely to pick up major roles afterwards - the really good ones, or the star names, can usually dictate their own departures.
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Ron

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

EastEnders is the only soap that I watch voluntarily, unless you count Waterloo Rd as a soap. I should add that I get fed compulsory shots of Neighbours at teatime. Its transfer to Channel 5 hasn't stopped that.

Regarding the two Millers, Keith has never been what I'd call an appealing character. In fact he's a total slob, who isn't redeemed at all by his interest in educational TV programmes. The actor certainly plays him well but I imagine that many people have simply tired of the character.

For some reason they haven't given Mickey any decent storylines for a long time. I'll be sorry to see him go but maybe the time is now right.

Ian.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject:

One of these days I WILL learn to spell HoNNest.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Maybe time for Eastenders to be axed.