9 soap characters who are missing in action
Soapland has a regular supply of cast exits each year, which are often beyond the control of the producers and writers when popular stars decide to quit.
While there's always the option of a handy recast as a get-out clause, the more regular consequence is that viewers simply have to accept their favourite characters being mysteriously absent for big dramas and life-changing events that affect their loved ones.
Here, we're taking our every-so-often look at the soap characters who are currently missing in action.
1. Jane Beale (EastEnders)
Last seen: 2017
The Beales gathered together last year for an awkward family reunion at the Queen Vic, with Bobby back from Youth Offenders and Ian home from his extended trip to New Zealand. But what about Jane?
Laurie Brett's popular character played a central role in the drama of Lucy Beale's murder and Bobby's secret guilt. Jane left in 2017, but there's always been a bit of a question mark hanging over her continued absence after she was driven out of Walford by Max, who's no longer a threat. Well, not much of a threat, anyway.
With EastEnders' longest-running and most high-profile whodunit now being revisited, is it only a matter of time before Jane makes an appearance? Over to you, Laurie…
2. Anna Windass (Coronation Street)
Last seen: 2018
When Pat Phelan posed a threat to the Weatherfield residents last year, Anna Windass popped up to sort him out once and for all in Corrie's annual 9pm week. Job done.
With Anna useful to have on side when it comes to dealing with a supervillain, we're surprised Gary didn't call her up for help again when he needed to get rid of Rick Neelan last week. Murdering Phelan then Neelan could have made her Soapland's first rhyming serial killer.
3. Alicia Gallagher (Emmerdale)
Last seen: 2015
With Jacob playing such a central role in Emmerdale, it's no surprise that fans have been questioning the continued absence of Alicia, who raised him as her son for so many years. Alicia has been mentioned on screen a few times, but as far as we know, she's unaware of Jacob's grooming ordeal.
Perhaps it's time someone gave Alicia a call?
4. Mitzeee Minniver (Hollyoaks)
Last seen: 2013
Mitzeee's on-screen absence at a difficult time for her sister Maxine made her seem slightly uncaring, it has to be said. Maybe Maxine has secretly tipped her off that it was all for show, so she needn't bother worrying? Either way, with Rachel Shenton now an Oscar winner, we have our doubts about whether we'll see Mitzeee again anytime soon.
5. Rob O'Connor (Hollyoaks)
Last seen: 2013
Sinead and Finn's father Rob is another character to add to our list of uncaring relatives. Sinead has spent weeks fighting for justice against her evil husband Laurie and even spent time in prison, but Rob didn't take time out of his seemingly-busy schedule to come to see her.
Rob was briefly a Hollyoaks regular in 2010 and 2011, but aside from a guest appearance in 2013, has let Diane take on the full responsibility for his children and their dramas ever since. A future candidate for bad dad slayer Breda, perhaps?
6. Andy Sugden (Emmerdale)
Last seen: 2016
Andy went on the run in 2016 after being framed for attempted murder, but later events with the White family cleared his name. Even so, Andy has stayed away throughout a variety of family dramas ever since – including Victoria's rape ordeal.
Kelvin Fletcher, who played Andy, is clearly keeping a close eye on events in the village, so maybe a return isn't totally out of the question?
So what do I do with my Robron mug now?! Gutted 💔
— Kelvin Fletcher (@kelvin_fletcher) June 12, 2019
7. Adam Barton (Emmerdale)
Last seen: 2018
Emmerdale fans have never quite been able to accept the departure of Adam Thomas as Adam Barton. Sadly for viewers, Adam went on the run after taking the blame for Emma's murder, and with the true culprit still unknown to the police and many of the villagers, writing him back in would be a tricky task.
Despite this, viewers still miss the popular Aaron/Adam friendship and have wondered how Adam would get along with his brother Matty.
Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria, was also asked about Adam when interviewed about her character's rape storyline earlier this year.
Asked whether she'd like Adam to return to take revenge against Lee, Isabel joked: "That's the dream. Everything I do is so that Adam will come back. If he came in and saved the day, that would be cracking!"
8. Denise Osbourne (Coronation Street)
Last seen: 2017
Corrie brought back Denise Black as Daniel Osbourne's mum Denise to great fanfare a couple of years ago, but it was only for a short stint. When Denise headed off, the show's writers made a point of revealing that she wouldn't be living too far away, leaving the door wide open for a return.
Despite this, Denise couldn't be bothered making the trip for Daniel's wedding and was conspicuous by her absence throughout Sinead's cancer fight. What gives?
9. Peter Beale (EastEnders)
Last seen: 2015
Ben Hardy's Hollywood commitments meant that Peter Beale scarpered from EastEnders just days after the big reveal that Bobby killed Lucy. We later heard various reports from the likes of Ian, Steven and Lauren about his new life in New Zealand (which never seems to be going overly well), but we haven't seen the man himself.
The decision to recast Ben Mitchell yet again this year showed that EastEnders isn't shy of a head swap when it comes to rebuilding its biggest families, so could Peter be next on the agenda?
It'd certainly be interesting to explore Peter's dynamic with the new-look Bobby four years later – and if he returned with on-screen other half Lauren Branning, we'd be getting two popular characters back in one go. How about it, 'Enders bosses?
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders spoilers, as Ian faces surprises when he returns home, and Lola considers leaving Walford.
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