Damn it Stuart Carolan! Why couldn't you leave well alone? It seems Nidge's death had nothing to do with Tom Vaughan Lawlor who actually didn't particularly want to leave the show, although at the same time he feels it was right for the character to go at that time.
Tom was on Newstalk this morning with Pat Kenny and said; "There was never a discussion where I said I wanted to leave the show."
He did go on to say though that he and Stuart discussed 'the journey of a character and their arc'. Saying that; "He kind of follows a classic five act structure, with a climax in act three with the death of Darren, act four is more reflective and pensive, act five is the climax of his death."
“You can’t continue with that character. I don’t think you could justify it. There’ll be no Bobby Ewing in the shower!” Dammit, that rules out one of our theories.
He added, “The doors were closing in on him and there was only so many times he can escape. It was brilliant the pressure applied to him from so many aspects – Patrick, Fran, Terrence. He was really up against it. It was kind of coming."
The actor also admitted that it was bittersweet saying goodbye to the character; "It’s a relief in one way to finish in terms of getting over a finish line but terribly sad as well for it to end."
He went on to say; "They’re just an amazing bunch of actors and crew and I’ll miss it terribly and I’ll miss him terribly just in terms of playing a part like that and the gift of getting those scenes in January every year and being given those new challenges.” Later adding; "I’ll miss the swagger of that man."
He does believe the show can carry on without him though; "I think what it's always been about is a tapestry of characters, an ensemble of individuals,” he said. “It survived the departure of John Boy, it survived the departure of Darren, and it can survive the departure of Nidge. A nice appetite is there. People love the show. If they want it to go on it’ll go on."
Hmmm, we're not so sure but no better man than Stuart Carolan to give it a go 'ey?