Laurie Bates
Encyclopedia
Laurie Bates is a fictional character
from the BBC
soap opera
, EastEnders
, played by Gary Powell
. Laurie was introduced by producer Mike Gibbon
in September 1989 as a rival to the long-established character Pete Beale
– he opened up a business in direct competition to him and then dated his estranged wife Kathy Beale. Laurie Bates was one of many characters to be axed early in 1990, following the introduction of the serial’s new executive-producer, Michael Ferguson
. He made his last appearance in March 1990, lasting roughly six months on-screen.
’s mother had formerly sold hats. Laurie sold fruit and veg by trade, opening up in direct competition to the resident fruit and veg trader, Pete Beale
. A trade war
escalated as Laurie tried to pilfer all Pete’s customers by undercutting his prices. Meanwhile, Laurie caught the eye of hairdresser Julie Cooper
. They dated briefly, but Laurie was far more taken with Kathy Beale - Pete’s recently estranged wife. Kathy was initially wary of Laurie, but she began to warm to him after he shared his sad life story with her – he’d been scarred by the loss of his second wife, who had died from cancer. Julie was extremely jealous of their blossoming romance, and Pete was furious that Laurie was not only trying to steal his customers, but also his wife. Numerous rows erupted between Laurie and Pete, as each tried to outdo one another.
Laurie and Kathy’s romance progressed slowly. Unbeknown to Laurie, Kathy had been raped in 1988. She still found it hard to trust men, so she was unwilling to rush things with Laurie. Julie took advantage of this. She seduced Laurie in October 1989, and led him back to her flat where she slept with him. Laurie regretted it the next day, particularly when he was shunned by Kathy. Julie assumed that Laurie then wanted a relationship with her, but he told her their night together was a silly mistake. Incensed, Julie tried to persuade him against Kathy by informing him of her rape, but this only made him more sympathetic towards her. He persuaded Kathy to give him another chance and promised to take things slowly.
Kathy and Laurie faced objections from Pete and Kathy’s son Ian
, who took Pete’s side and refused to accept Laurie as Kathy’s new beau. After a long period of feuding, Pete eventually accepted that he and Kathy were over and the Beales called a truce with Laurie. By 1990, Kathy finally felt ready to sleep with Laurie; however their attempt at consummation failed and Laurie stormed out angry and embarrassed (the reason for which was never divulged, although it was indicated that Kathy had laughed at Laurie and he later tells her that she “has a knack for laughing at the wrong time”). After this Kathy became increasingly uninterested in their relationship and her ambiguous behaviour began to confuse Laurie. He was keen to hold on to Kathy and he tried his best to please her, but she began to feel as though he was treating her like a possession – buying her expensive clothes and jewellery and showing her off like a “trophy”. Unaware of Kathy’s discontent, Laurie arranged to go on a lavish date with her, but when he came to collect her she refused to go and ended their relationship instead. Laurie took the rejection badly and some tactless comments regarding her sexual abstinence
made Kathy believe that he had hidden shallows. He stormed off, dropping his wallet in his haste and, when Kathy retrieved it, she discovered that it contained a photograph of woman who strongly resembled her. Kathy concluded that Laurie had been attempting to recreate his dead wife through her, by dressing her in the same clothes and jewellery.
Following this, Laurie became depressed and began drinking heavily. His sister Shirley visited Kathy asking her to talk to him and explain why she had ended their relationship. When Kathy did, she accused him of trying to turn her into a replica of his deceased wife; however, she was embarrassed to learn that the woman she had seen in the photo was not his dead wife after all. Kathy apologized for jumping to conclusions; they called a truce and parted company, realising that they were not right for each other. This was Laurie’s last appearance, though it was revealed that he had decided to give up his pitch on the market and move on, an act which fuelled rumours amongst the traders that Turpin Road Market was due to be closed.
and Julia Smith
, both decided that the time had come to move on too; their final contribution coinciding with the exit of one of EastEnders most successful characters, Den Watts
(Leslie Grantham
). A new producer, Mike Gibbon
, took control of the show and he enlisted the most experienced writers to take over the storylining of the programme, which included Charlie Humphreys, Jane Hollowood and Tony McHale.
As well as Den, several other long running characters left the show in 1989, including three original cast members, Angie Watts
(Anita Dobson
), as well as Sue
and Ali Osman
(Sandy Ratcliff
and Nejdet Salih) and their family; Donna Ludlow
(Matilda Ziegler
); Carmel Jackson
(Judith Jacob
) and her family, and one of the show's more controversial characters, Colin Russell (Michael Cashman
). It was decided that 1989 was to be “a year of change” in Walford. EastEnders script-writer, Colin Brake
, has suggested that "it was almost as if Walford itself was making a fresh start".
At the time EastEnders had come under criticism in the British media for being too depressing
; arguably a reputation that it has never been able to shake. The programme makers were determined to change this. In 1989 there was a deliberate attempt to increase the lighter, more comic aspects of life in Albert Square
. This led to the introduction of some characters who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted. Such characters included Julie Cooper
(Louise Plowright
), a man-mad hairdresser; Marge Green
— a batty older lady played by veteran comedy actress, Pat Coombs
; Trevor Short
(Phil McDermott
), the "village idiot", and his friend, northern heart-breaker Paul Priestly
(Mark Thrippleton
); wheeler-dealer Vince Johnson (Hepburn Graham) and Laurie Bates, who was introduced in September and became Pete Beale
's (Peter Dean) sparring partner.
On-screen Laurie arrived in Turpin Road Market and set up a rival fruit and veg stall in direct competition to Pete and the rivalry went further when he became romantically interested in Pete’s estranged wife, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth
). A feud between Laurie and Pete was launched, which included various jibes and games of one-upmanship, as each tried to outdo each other.
Humour was an important element in the storylines during 1989, with a greater amount of slapstick and light comedy than ever before. 1989's changes were a “brave experiment” and while some found this period of EastEnders entertaining, many other viewers felt that the comedy stretched the programme's credibility somewhat. The programme still covered many issues in 1989, such as domestic violence
, drugs, racism
and rape
- specifically concerning the victim’s (Kathy) struggles to move on from the ordeal and trust other men (Laurie); however, the new emphasis on a more balanced mix between "light and heavy storylines" gave the "illusion" that the show had lost a "certain edge".
By the end of the year EastEnders had acquired a new executive producer, Michael Ferguson
, who had previously been a successful producer on ITV
's The Bill
. Ultimately, Ferguson was responsible for bringing in a new sense of vitality, and creating a programme that was "more in touch" with the "real world" than it had been over the last year. A new era began in 1990 with the introduction of the Mitchell brothers, Phil
(Steve McFadden
) and Grant
(Ross Kemp
), two extremely successful characters, who would go on to dominate the soap thereafter. As the new production machine cleared the way for new characters and a new direction, a number of characters were axed from the show at the start of the year. Among them was Laurie, as well as every other "comedic" character that had been introduced to the show in 1989. By March 1990 they had all gone. On-screen it became clear that Laurie’s "infatuation" with Kathy was not reciprocated. Their on/off relationship came to an end and Laurie decided to give up his stall in Walford
, making his final screen appearance on 8 March 1990.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, played by Gary Powell
Gary Powell (actor)
Gary Powell is a British actor. He is possibly best known for playing the character Laurie Bates in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Laurie made his first screen appearance in September 1989 as a love interest for Kathy Beale , but the character was one of many to be written out of the serial early...
. Laurie was introduced by producer Mike Gibbon
Mike Gibbon
John Michael "Mike" Gibbon is an English television producer and director. Gibbon married Moya McCarthy in July 1976 and they have a daughter, Sophie....
in September 1989 as a rival to the long-established character Pete Beale
Pete Beale
Peter "Pete" Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He made his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was created by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EasEnders; he was based on a member of...
– he opened up a business in direct competition to him and then dated his estranged wife Kathy Beale. Laurie Bates was one of many characters to be axed early in 1990, following the introduction of the serial’s new executive-producer, Michael Ferguson
Michael Ferguson (director)
Michael Ferguson is a British script writer, television director and television producer. Ferguson has been described as a “long term champion of realistic popular drama”. Ferguson was executive producer of the BBC soap opera, EastEnders between 1989 and 1991...
. He made his last appearance in March 1990, lasting roughly six months on-screen.
Storylines
Laurie arrived in September 1989, taking over a vacant stall on Turpin Road market, where Cindy BealeCindy Beale
Cindy Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michelle Collins.Cindy always had an eye for the lotharios of Walford and despite trying to settle down repeatedly with the more reliable Ian Beale, she was unable to remain faithful to him. She had a selfish...
’s mother had formerly sold hats. Laurie sold fruit and veg by trade, opening up in direct competition to the resident fruit and veg trader, Pete Beale
Pete Beale
Peter "Pete" Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He made his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was created by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EasEnders; he was based on a member of...
. A trade war
Trade war
A trade war refers to two or more states raising or creating tariffs or other trade barriers on each other in retaliation for other trade barriers...
escalated as Laurie tried to pilfer all Pete’s customers by undercutting his prices. Meanwhile, Laurie caught the eye of hairdresser Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper (EastEnders)
Julie Cooper is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by Louise Plowright from 1989-1990. The character was one of Mike Gibbon's introductions, but she was axed in 1990 at the start of Michael Ferguson's reign as executive producer...
. They dated briefly, but Laurie was far more taken with Kathy Beale - Pete’s recently estranged wife. Kathy was initially wary of Laurie, but she began to warm to him after he shared his sad life story with her – he’d been scarred by the loss of his second wife, who had died from cancer. Julie was extremely jealous of their blossoming romance, and Pete was furious that Laurie was not only trying to steal his customers, but also his wife. Numerous rows erupted between Laurie and Pete, as each tried to outdo one another.
Laurie and Kathy’s romance progressed slowly. Unbeknown to Laurie, Kathy had been raped in 1988. She still found it hard to trust men, so she was unwilling to rush things with Laurie. Julie took advantage of this. She seduced Laurie in October 1989, and led him back to her flat where she slept with him. Laurie regretted it the next day, particularly when he was shunned by Kathy. Julie assumed that Laurie then wanted a relationship with her, but he told her their night together was a silly mistake. Incensed, Julie tried to persuade him against Kathy by informing him of her rape, but this only made him more sympathetic towards her. He persuaded Kathy to give him another chance and promised to take things slowly.
Kathy and Laurie faced objections from Pete and Kathy’s son Ian
Ian Beale
Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the longest-serving character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on 19 February 1985...
, who took Pete’s side and refused to accept Laurie as Kathy’s new beau. After a long period of feuding, Pete eventually accepted that he and Kathy were over and the Beales called a truce with Laurie. By 1990, Kathy finally felt ready to sleep with Laurie; however their attempt at consummation failed and Laurie stormed out angry and embarrassed (the reason for which was never divulged, although it was indicated that Kathy had laughed at Laurie and he later tells her that she “has a knack for laughing at the wrong time”). After this Kathy became increasingly uninterested in their relationship and her ambiguous behaviour began to confuse Laurie. He was keen to hold on to Kathy and he tried his best to please her, but she began to feel as though he was treating her like a possession – buying her expensive clothes and jewellery and showing her off like a “trophy”. Unaware of Kathy’s discontent, Laurie arranged to go on a lavish date with her, but when he came to collect her she refused to go and ended their relationship instead. Laurie took the rejection badly and some tactless comments regarding her sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, philosophical or religious reasons.Common reasons for practicing sexual abstinence include:*poor health - medical celibacy...
made Kathy believe that he had hidden shallows. He stormed off, dropping his wallet in his haste and, when Kathy retrieved it, she discovered that it contained a photograph of woman who strongly resembled her. Kathy concluded that Laurie had been attempting to recreate his dead wife through her, by dressing her in the same clothes and jewellery.
Following this, Laurie became depressed and began drinking heavily. His sister Shirley visited Kathy asking her to talk to him and explain why she had ended their relationship. When Kathy did, she accused him of trying to turn her into a replica of his deceased wife; however, she was embarrassed to learn that the woman she had seen in the photo was not his dead wife after all. Kathy apologized for jumping to conclusions; they called a truce and parted company, realising that they were not right for each other. This was Laurie’s last appearance, though it was revealed that he had decided to give up his pitch on the market and move on, an act which fuelled rumours amongst the traders that Turpin Road Market was due to be closed.
Character creation and development
1989 was a year of big change for EastEnders, both behind the cameras and in front of them. Original production designer, Keith Harris, left the show, and co-creators, Tony HollandTony Holland
Anthony John "Tony" Holland was an English television screenwriter best known as a writer and co-creator of the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Early career:...
and Julia Smith
Julia Smith
Julia Smith was an English television director and producer.- Early career :London-born Smith became involved in television production when she directed the series Suspense in 1962...
, both decided that the time had come to move on too; their final contribution coinciding with the exit of one of EastEnders most successful characters, Den Watts
Den Watts
Dennis Alan "Den" Watts is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by actor Leslie Grantham. He became well known for his tabloid nickname, "Dirty Den"....
(Leslie Grantham
Leslie Grantham
Leslie Michael Grantham is an English actor best known for his role as "Dirty" Den Watts in the soap opera EastEnders. He is also a convicted murderer, having served 10 years for the killing of a German taxi driver, and he generated significant press coverage as the result of an online sex scandal...
). A new producer, Mike Gibbon
Mike Gibbon
John Michael "Mike" Gibbon is an English television producer and director. Gibbon married Moya McCarthy in July 1976 and they have a daughter, Sophie....
, took control of the show and he enlisted the most experienced writers to take over the storylining of the programme, which included Charlie Humphreys, Jane Hollowood and Tony McHale.
As well as Den, several other long running characters left the show in 1989, including three original cast members, Angie Watts
Angie Watts
Angela "Angie" Watts is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Anita Dobson from the first episode of the show until 1988 when the actress decided to quit and the character was written out....
(Anita Dobson
Anita Dobson
Anita Dobson is an English television actress and singer. She gained her highest profile while playing Angie Watts in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...
), as well as Sue
Sue Osman
Susan "Sue" Osman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Sandy Ratcliff. She was one of the serial's original characters, appearing in its first episode on 19 February 1985 and departing on-screen in May 1989. Created by Tony Holland and Julia Smith, Sue was...
and Ali Osman
Ali Osman
Ali Osman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nejdet Salih. He was a member of the original EastEnders cast, appearing in the first episode on 19 February 1985. He remained with the show for nearly five years afterwards, making his final appearance on 10 October...
(Sandy Ratcliff
Sandy Ratcliff
Alexandria "Sandy" Ratcliff is an English former actress. Ratcliff made an impression as a model and film actress in the 1970s, but she is best known for being one of the original cast members in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in the 1980s...
and Nejdet Salih) and their family; Donna Ludlow
Donna Ludlow
Donna Ludlow is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Matilda Ziegler between 1987-1989. Donna was scripted as a troubled individual, desperate for attention, but shunned by almost all who encountered her...
(Matilda Ziegler
Matilda Ziegler
Matilda Ziegler is a British television, stage and film actress best known for her roles as Irma Gobb in Mr. Bean and as Donna Ludlow in the long-running BBC1 serial EastEnders and Ruth in the BBC Three sitcom Swiss Toni.-Television career:Matilda Ziegler's first screen role remains her most...
); Carmel Jackson
Carmel Jackson
Carmel Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Judith Jacob. Carmel, a Health Visitor, was introduced in a recurring, minor role in 1986. Producers saw potential in the character. Script writers were asked to develop more promienent storylines, and Carmel...
(Judith Jacob
Judith Jacob
Judith Jacob , is a British actress best known for her role as the health visitor Carmel Roberts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role she played from 1986 to 1989. During her stint in Albert Square, her character suffered from severe marital abuse and her husband's attempted murder and eventual...
) and her family, and one of the show's more controversial characters, Colin Russell (Michael Cashman
Michael Cashman
Michael Maurice Cashman is a British former actor, now a Labour politician. He has been a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands constituency since 1999.- Acting :...
). It was decided that 1989 was to be “a year of change” in Walford. EastEnders script-writer, Colin Brake
Colin Brake
Colin Brake is an English television writer and script editor best known for his work for the BBC on programs such as Bugs and EastEnders. He has also written spin-offs from the BBC series Doctor Who...
, has suggested that "it was almost as if Walford itself was making a fresh start".
At the time EastEnders had come under criticism in the British media for being too depressing
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
; arguably a reputation that it has never been able to shake. The programme makers were determined to change this. In 1989 there was a deliberate attempt to increase the lighter, more comic aspects of life in Albert Square
Albert Square
Albert Square is the fictional location of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It is ostensibly located in the equally fictional London borough of Walford in London's East End. The square's design was based on the real life Fassett Square in Hackney, and was given the name Albert Square after the real...
. This led to the introduction of some characters who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted. Such characters included Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper (EastEnders)
Julie Cooper is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by Louise Plowright from 1989-1990. The character was one of Mike Gibbon's introductions, but she was axed in 1990 at the start of Michael Ferguson's reign as executive producer...
(Louise Plowright
Louise Plowright
Louise Plowright is a British actress, who trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and first came to prominence playing abrasive hairdresser Julie Cooper in the television soap opera EastEnders from 1989 to 1990....
), a man-mad hairdresser; Marge Green
Marge Green
Marjorie "Marge" Green is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by the late Pat Coombs. Introduced in 1989, elderly Marge was scripted as comical and timid. The character was one of many to be axed in 1990 when the show changed Executive Producer.-Storylines:Marge first...
— a batty older lady played by veteran comedy actress, Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs was an English actress. Coombs was considered one of Britain's great character actresses, specialising in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female — comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television sitcoms...
; Trevor Short
Trevor Short
Trevor Short is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by Phil McDermott.Trevor was the inseparable sidekick of Paul Priestly. He was a well-meaning individual but he wasn't blessed with much intelligence and he managed to mess up almost every job he was given...
(Phil McDermott
Phil McDermott
Phil McDermott is a British actor. Before turning to acting he was a trainee priest, a scrap metal worker, a weighbridge operator and a carpenter. He is most famous for playing a regular character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He played the dim-witted odd-job man, Trevor Short from 1989-1990...
), the "village idiot", and his friend, northern heart-breaker Paul Priestly
Paul Priestly
Paul Priestly is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by Mark Thrippleton.Paul, a builder, came to London with a building firm he worked for, then decided to go it alone. He found work around the Square — the money wasn't great but there were benefits — for instance,...
(Mark Thrippleton
Mark Thrippleton
Mark Thrippleton is an English actor from Leeds.Thrippleton worked as a roofer and tiler before taking up acting in the 1980s.In 1984 he appeared in How We Used to Live — a British educational drama tracing the lives and fortunes of fictional Yorkshire families from Ewardian times...
); wheeler-dealer Vince Johnson (Hepburn Graham) and Laurie Bates, who was introduced in September and became Pete Beale
Pete Beale
Peter "Pete" Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He made his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was created by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EasEnders; he was based on a member of...
's (Peter Dean) sparring partner.
On-screen Laurie arrived in Turpin Road Market and set up a rival fruit and veg stall in direct competition to Pete and the rivalry went further when he became romantically interested in Pete’s estranged wife, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth
Gillian Taylforth
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress. She is best known for her roles as Kathy Mitchell on the BBC soap opera, EastEnders and as Jackie Pascoe-Webb on ITV's Footballers Wives , but more recently as Sgt. Nikki Wright in ITV's The Bill...
). A feud between Laurie and Pete was launched, which included various jibes and games of one-upmanship, as each tried to outdo each other.
Humour was an important element in the storylines during 1989, with a greater amount of slapstick and light comedy than ever before. 1989's changes were a “brave experiment” and while some found this period of EastEnders entertaining, many other viewers felt that the comedy stretched the programme's credibility somewhat. The programme still covered many issues in 1989, such as domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
, drugs, racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
- specifically concerning the victim’s (Kathy) struggles to move on from the ordeal and trust other men (Laurie); however, the new emphasis on a more balanced mix between "light and heavy storylines" gave the "illusion" that the show had lost a "certain edge".
By the end of the year EastEnders had acquired a new executive producer, Michael Ferguson
Michael Ferguson (director)
Michael Ferguson is a British script writer, television director and television producer. Ferguson has been described as a “long term champion of realistic popular drama”. Ferguson was executive producer of the BBC soap opera, EastEnders between 1989 and 1991...
, who had previously been a successful producer on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
. Ultimately, Ferguson was responsible for bringing in a new sense of vitality, and creating a programme that was "more in touch" with the "real world" than it had been over the last year. A new era began in 1990 with the introduction of the Mitchell brothers, Phil
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
(Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden is an English actor, known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since1990.-Early life:...
) and Grant
Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)
Grant Anthony Mitchell is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Ross Kemp. Grant first appeared in 1990, introduced by producer Michael Ferguson to revamp the show. Kemp remained until 1999 when he opted to leave...
(Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp
Ross James Kemp is a BAFTA award-winning British actor, author and journalist, who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...
), two extremely successful characters, who would go on to dominate the soap thereafter. As the new production machine cleared the way for new characters and a new direction, a number of characters were axed from the show at the start of the year. Among them was Laurie, as well as every other "comedic" character that had been introduced to the show in 1989. By March 1990 they had all gone. On-screen it became clear that Laurie’s "infatuation" with Kathy was not reciprocated. Their on/off relationship came to an end and Laurie decided to give up his stall in Walford
Walford
Walford is a fictional borough of east London in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The name Walford is both a street in Dalston where one of the series' creators, Tony Holland, lived and a blend of Walthamstow, where Holland was born, and Stratford. The suffix 'ford' is also found throughout East...
, making his final screen appearance on 8 March 1990.