Hello and welcome to a Slice Of Soap people.
Guys, I touched upon this story on Monday but I think it’s worth another mention. Coronation Street actor Rob James-Collier, who plays Liam Connor, has announced that he’s quitting the show after just two years over fears of being "typecast".
Apparently he revealed his intention to leave only days before filming his on-screen wedding to Maria Sutherland (Samia Smith).
What is it with some of these young soap stars? Ain’t they got no sense of loyalty to their fans? I’m joking of course – he’s an actor and he wants to do other things. It happens. Still, if the mass exodus from Coronation Street continues, we’ll soon be left watching Ken Barlow in a one-man soap ‘cos actor Bill Roache isn’t going anywhere. He’s probably dying to get into the Guinness Book Of Records for longest serving soap actor.
So – does Rob James-Collier have a point? Would staying in Coronation Street result in him being typecast? I must admit, every time I see Ross Kemp on TV, whether he’s interviewing British troops in Afghanistan or trying to infiltrate some drug cartel in Columbia, I still think of him as Grant Mitchell. That says it all. But some actors have managed to break out of the soap-typecast thing: when I look at Natalie Imbruglia, I don’t see her character in Neighbours anymore – I just see the video for Torn. Besides, typecasting can affect actors who didn’t make their names in soaps: Sylvester Stallone’s never gonna be a Shakespearean actor, is he? And, in a 30-plus year career, he’s only going to be known for 2 roles: Rocky and Rambo.
While we’re on the subject of soap actors being typecast, let’s spare a thought for poor old Mohammed George who plays Gus. As you all know by now, he’s leaving EastEnders but you’ll never guess who’s gonna be playing the role of his fiery aunt Opal? None other than larger-than-life 1980s TVAM and Game For A Laugh chef, Rusty Lee…remember her? Hopefully she’ll bring a bit of much needed life back to the Square; she’s got a laugh that could wake up the dead, so if anyone can liven up Albert Square, it’s got to be good old Rusty Lee.
Look out also for Babyfather star Don Gilet who also appeared in 55 Degrees North. He’s going to be starring as Lucas Johnson, who turns up in Walford this Easter to find the daughter he walked out on when she was a baby. The baby? Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin). Blimey, now if that isn’t an example of typecasting, then I don’t know what is….
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That’s it for now. Join me on Friday for more soap news and gossip. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
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Oh No! Liam\’s the best-looking totty on Corrie for years!
I think the writing crew of Eastenders needs to be changed to inject some life into the show. We had Shane Richie who was so funny at the beginning as Alfie, look what they did to him and anyone else who comes into the show who\’s funny, they all leave as bumbling wrecks. The writers don\’t have the nerve to stick to the hard line characters they introduce and can\’t come up with the lines for the funny one\’s PLEASE PLEASE get some decent writers life is not all doom and gloom, and even if your life really is you watch tv for an escape from it and want cheering up not more depressed.
Obviously got better offer. Goin see him in lots of drama… Good luck, he\’s goin need it. As he\’s not one of the better actor\’s ive seen..
i think in eastenders that the way stacey had a seizure should reunite bradley and stacey as she ends uo in hospital sean should contact brad and he should come rushing back
Hes not a great actor but I like him, why do soap actors all think they are bigger than the soap they are in, inevitable you never see them again except maybe in a naff telly advert. I wish Dev, Lloyd David Platt and Vernon would call it a day
Good luck to the future. We need sexy men like you to make good films. You are a lovely looking guy but do not dissapear of the face of the earth. Happy valentines day.
Although Liam\’s certainly grown on me and he is GORGEOUS, his Liam and Noel G accent makes me want to smack him one!
liam we be sorry to see you go your gorgeous funny and one of the best in corrie where will carla be without you hope you come back soon xx
liam im gutted u r leaving. u really spice up the street.it won\’t be the same without u.good luck 4 the future & i hope 2 c your lvly smile again soon. lots of luv.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
liam we will be heart broken to see you go. but do us a favour do not leave with carla you deserve so much more.
i beg they do a wonderfull leaving sketch some thing you can return back to now and then. even if its only to check
your asscets from the factory. you could always run off with tony he needs an helping hand to look for the bright
lights of cat man doo
im glad you are leaving
I HATE YOU !!!!!!!
bye
i fink that liam (corrie) woz gr8 n cute bt y does he hav 2 leav so soon
i feel soz 4 marie who doesn\’t get married
boo hoo
i fink corrie n eastenders r gr8 shows 2 watch n da emotional ones must make all the cast n crew cry it sometimes it makes me
they must be amazin actors/actresses
keep on makin every1 laugh, its gr8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my god i cryed myself to sleep last nite i cnt belive your leaving my life is over!" i only get up in a morning to c your beautiful face. ur such a naughty boy leaving. please please say dnt marry maria marry me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Ur my life n i love you.x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You have been great. All the best for the future. xx
THE BEST LOOKING AND SEXIEST BLOKE IN CORRIE FOR YEARS, PLEASE DONT GO.
liam dont go your the best
going going go
AINT IT A SHAME I LIKED LIAM,AN I REALLY WANTED TO SEE SUM HOT STUFF IN THE KNICKER FACTORY,BUT ALAS THE POOR LADDO WANTS TO BROADEN HIS WINGS AN LOOK FOR PASTURES NEW,ARGH WOT A SHAME JUST WEN CORRIE WERE GETTIN SUM SPICY ACTORS AN ACTRESSES,CORRIE GOES AN GETS THE CHOP,O.M.G,IT REALLY NEEDS TO LIVE A LITTLE MORE ITS STILL OLE TIMERS,EVERYONE ENTITLED TO OPINION THATS MINE,SO EDITORS SCRIPT WRITERS,MORE GOES ON IN THE STREET WERE YOU LIVE THAN ON CORRIE CUM ON ADMIT IT
YEAH I GOTTA AGREE WIV YA WINNIE,LIAM AS BEEN ONE HELL OF A SEX BEAST GOOD GOD I KNOW WOT ID DO IF I WERE SNIPING CARLA,CUM ON YER GOTTA GIVE IT TOO HER,SHE AINT BAD AM SURE SHE,S PANDORA OFF DAZ SOAP POWDER CHECK IT OUT,WELL CARLA NEEDS TA GIVE CORRIE,S OLDIES A SHOCKIE FOR THE TICKERS HOW BOUT IN FRONT A NORRIS OF COURSE BE ROUND THE STREET IN NO TIME,CARLA ARRIVES IN THE ROVERS WITH HER BLACK MAC WIV HER BLACK BOOTS AND UNDERNEATH,YEAH THE WORKS SEXY BASQUE AN SUSSIES EYE OPENER FOR 7.30PM AM SURE THEY WUD GET A GUD VIEWIN AUDIENCE GOD LIAM IS GAGGIN 4 IT HE STARTS THAT LISP WEN CARLA IS AROUND THEN WE NEED LIAM TO GIVE HER THE WORKS RIGHT ON THE BAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF MARIA SHES GOTTA SEE THAT MMMMM NAUGHTY BUT NICE RATINGS WUD GO UP BUT CANT SEE CORRIE DOIN THAT SO END OF JUST A THOUGHT, HA HA HA LOL
no not Liam I am so in love with him SAD ME need to go out more at 44 yrs old think he is cute, David wish to strangle just because his voice, love charater of Fizz think she is great, Maria is a beautiful young lady but does not appear in charcter to be bitchy unlike the ALSION KINGs of the world who keep being beautiful bitchy strong females – :ove Jerry Kebab man ex brookie SINBAD think he is a great actor and funny…..new bookies are crap,Kim Ryder is excellent |Michll erole and appears to have slipped in charcter great bitting nails with baby swap sceanrio !!!!!