Nothing is forever in soap – except perhaps Ken Barlow. Characters come and go depending on the whims of the writers and the actors. However in some cases when the actors are clearly done with playing their part – the character still has life in them.
Here are some characters who need to be recast in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders.
Who should be recast in soap?
Debbie Dingle
Charley Webb played Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale for almost 20 years. She left the soap in January 2021 and although it was believed Debbie would be back, a source later told The Sun that was not the case.
They revealed: “Charley is closing the door on Emmerdale for good and won’t be going back.”
Charley’s husband Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David Metcalfe, was allegedly caught up in a racism row on set in 2021. It was said he and co-star Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden) made an inappropriate comment and mimicked a mixed-race co-star’s accent. This was reported to have played a part in Charley’s decision to quit.
Charley later broke her silence on Instagram stories during a Q&A.
When asked if she had left the soap she said: “This is always my most asked question but I’ve never answered it before because I’ve never wanted to make a big deal of it.
“I left to have Ace two years ago. I went back at the end of last year to complete a storyline. So, I guess officially it’s been a year. I never felt the need to announce it which is why we didn’t.”
The absence of Debbie Dingle from Emmerdale is ridiculous. She has a daughter with a life-limiting heart condition living in the village and never even pops back to say hello.
It’s clear Debbie needs to return – with Charley’s face, or with someone else’s – her staying away from her daughter and other family is nonsense.
On Thursday June 8 Sarah celebrated her milestone 18th birthday and mum Debbie didn’t even get a mention. Nor in fact, did Sarah’s dad, which leads us to…
Andy Sugden
Sarah’s dad, Andy Sugden, played by Kelvin Fletcher, went on the run for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s since been exonerated for that crime so is free to return as and when he pleases.
However he hasn’t set foot in the village since. Like his daughter’s mother, ignoring the fact his little girl has a life-limiting heart condition. What sort of father is he?!
Kelvin Fletcher is now enjoying life away from the soap. He runs a farm with his family and they are followed by cameras for a documentary-style series. Since his Emmerdale departure he has also won Strictly and done many successful stage plays.
However, on numerous occasions he has teased a Dales comeback. Most recently he commented on an Instagram post that he’d come back to buy Moira’s farm after Caleb destroyed her business.
But the return teases never come to anything, so if Kelvin doesn’t want to come back, Andy must be recast.
Aaron Dingle
Yes, he’s only recently left for good, but Aaron is already so missed in the village.
Aaron made a comeback for the 50th anniversary in October 2022 just a year after he left, giving fans hope he would return for good. But sadly, that doesn’t seem to be happening.
It was heartbreaking that he did not feature in Paddy’s mental health storyline – a man he considered to be his dad. Aaron would have been there in a heartbeat to support him in real life and if Danny Miller doesn’t want to return to play him, Emmerdale need to recast.
Aaron belongs in the village – a few years away would have revitalised an arguably tired character, so it’s time for him to come home.
Robert Sugden
Ryan Hawley was the fourth actor to play Robert Sugden before he departed in 2019 and he was an instant hit in the role.
A couple of bit parts here and there have followed but it doesn’t look like Ryan has any interest in returning.
So with one recast already proving hugely popular – why not do it again? Victoria could do with the company – she has little else going on.
Emmerdale without a Sugden presence dominating it is like Corrie without the Platts. The soap needs to build this iconic family back up again – and Robert is the perfect place to start.
Zoe Slater
“You ain’t my mother,” is an iconic moment.
It has set up decades of storylines for Kat Slater – and precisely nothing for her eldest daughter Zoe.
In fact not even the news Zoe had a twin brother – later revealed to be a serial killing priest in Ireland – has brought her back.
Actually nothing has brought her back despite actress Michelle Ryan hardly being in high demand.
Recast her – and build the Slaters back up.
Ali Neeson
When actor James Burrows arrived on the cobbles, it was a breath of fresh air. A huge talent, he made viewers forget that Ali Neeson had only been briefly a part of the show years before.
But he made the part his own – and he turned Ali into a mainstay on the cobbles.
And then he quit – and there’s little chance of him returning – so it’s time to recast Ali with an equally talented actor and beef up the Connors again.
Michelle Connor
Much like Debbie Dingle, Michelle Connor is not going to be winning any mother of the year awards right now.
Her son, Ryan, has just been through the most horrific experience of his life, having acid thrown in his face and being left permanently scarred, and where is Michelle? No idea, but we can tell you she’s not there.
There was some rubbish explanation that she was having an operation herself, but that was weeks ago and she’s still not turned up. She’s made the odd phone call, but it’s frankly not good enough.
If Kym Marsh, who is enjoying a career presenting, on stage and in Waterloo Road, does not want to come back, Michelle needs to be recast.
Kym has expressed a desire to return to Corrie in the future, so perhaps the soap doesn’t want to recast and close the door on her just yet. But it’s utter nonsense she’s not there now and a need to stay to true to a storyline should trump any actor’s feelings if you ask us.
We demand a recast!
Danny Baldwin
Much like the Sugdens in Emmerdale and the Fowlers in EastEnders (see below) there are some soap families who are synonymous with the show they’re in. The Baldwins in Coronation Street are one such clan.
But where are they now?
Adam is the only Baldwin that remains – he was Mike’s son – but even he is going by the name of Barlow these days.
It seems sad that this legacy has been forgotten. Mike died, so who else to bring back? Danny Baldwin seems the obvious choice.
As Danny Bradley Walsh was brilliant. But with a successful career away from the cobbles – hosting The Chase, plus enjoying a double act presenting role with his son, Barney, Bradders probably doesn’t have the time or desire to return to Weatherfield.
So why not recast him? Carla’s planning on selling the factory – there’s a perfect opportunity to bring back Danny to run it. After all, it was his business for a time.
Michelle Fowler
Don’t worry – we’re only joking.
Some soap characters should never be recast – they are simply too iconic.
Or they just aren’t that interesting. Sorry Michelle.
However, the Fowlers are definitely depleted. They are one of the original EastEnders families, so should be beefed up again to give Martin some kin.
How about a Vicki recast? Or Mark Fowler Jnr?
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