TV
TV
Kiefer Sutherland missed his '24' "family" while the show was off air.
The 47-year-old actor is back as fugitive ex-Counter Terrorist Agent Jack Bauer in new series '24: Live Another Day' and he admits when the show ended in 2010 after eight seasons he found it hard to know he wouldn't get to see the friends he had made working on the programme.
Speaking at a special screening of the first episode at Old Billingsgate Market in London on Tuesday night (07.05.14), Kiefer said: "I was fine putting the character to bed but we had worked with the crew for eight years, 98 percent of those people were there from day one to the very end. I think over the course of the eight years 32 children were born and 42 marriages happened. I know it sounds trite but we were a family.
"I went to say goodbye to the camera operator Guy on the last day and we used to have a phrase 'we danced together'. He did some of the most beautiful handheld work I've ever seen in my life and he was like working with a really talented actor and I went to shake his hand I wanted to say, 'It's been an honour.' I'm not a real crier but my lip went and I had to look away and so did he. I miss that, I miss my friends ... I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to see those people everyday; I knew I wasn't going to work with those actors everyday and I think that was the hardest thing for me to let go of and that will always be the thing I missed the most about the show. With regards to the character if I want to pull out some costumes I can do that stuff in my house but I miss the people."
Kiefer admits he was as surprised as anyone when he was told by lead writer Howard Gordon that '24' was coming back.
The action hero was initially worried the new series wouldn't be able to match the show's high standards but he thinks the London-based adventure about a plot to assassinate the US President is the best series ever.
Kiefer - who was joined at the Q&A by his co-stars Mary Lynn Rajskub and Yvonne Strahovski - said: "What's it like having Jack back in my life? Well, surprising would be the first word. We put this to bed for a reason, Howard Gordon our lead writer was tired, he'd written 196 episodes which is an unbelievably prolific amount of work it's almost equivalent to a hundred in an eight-year period, so I was very surprised. I actually called him to congratulate him on his Golden Globe win for 'Homeland' and he said, 'I'm really glad you called, I want to talk to you about something.'
"We had set the bar for ourselves with the eight seasons we had done and the last thing we want to do is damage the legacy of a show you've put to bed. Having said that now we've almost finished I'm so glad that this was the decision we made, it's just been an unbelievable experience. I think we've made the best ever season of '24'."
'24: Live Another Day' starts on Wednesday May 7 at 9pm on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 +1.
Kiefer Sutherland missed 24 family
Kiefer Sutherland missed his '24' "family" while the show was off air.
The 47-year-old actor is back as fugitive ex-Counter Terrorist Agent Jack Bauer in new series '24: Live Another Day' and he admits when the show ended in 2010 after eight seasons he found it hard to know he wouldn't get to see the friends he had made working on the programme.
Speaking at a special screening of the first episode at Old Billingsgate Market in London on Tuesday night (07.05.14), Kiefer said: "I was fine putting the character to bed but we had worked with the crew for eight years, 98 percent of those people were there from day one to the very end. I think over the course of the eight years 32 children were born and 42 marriages happened. I know it sounds trite but we were a family.
"I went to say goodbye to the camera operator Guy on the last day and we used to have a phrase 'we danced together'. He did some of the most beautiful handheld work I've ever seen in my life and he was like working with a really talented actor and I went to shake his hand I wanted to say, 'It's been an honour.' I'm not a real crier but my lip went and I had to look away and so did he. I miss that, I miss my friends ... I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to see those people everyday; I knew I wasn't going to work with those actors everyday and I think that was the hardest thing for me to let go of and that will always be the thing I missed the most about the show. With regards to the character if I want to pull out some costumes I can do that stuff in my house but I miss the people."
Kiefer admits he was as surprised as anyone when he was told by lead writer Howard Gordon that '24' was coming back.
The action hero was initially worried the new series wouldn't be able to match the show's high standards but he thinks the London-based adventure about a plot to assassinate the US President is the best series ever.
Kiefer - who was joined at the Q&A by his co-stars Mary Lynn Rajskub and Yvonne Strahovski - said: "What's it like having Jack back in my life? Well, surprising would be the first word. We put this to bed for a reason, Howard Gordon our lead writer was tired, he'd written 196 episodes which is an unbelievably prolific amount of work it's almost equivalent to a hundred in an eight-year period, so I was very surprised. I actually called him to congratulate him on his Golden Globe win for 'Homeland' and he said, 'I'm really glad you called, I want to talk to you about something.'
"We had set the bar for ourselves with the eight seasons we had done and the last thing we want to do is damage the legacy of a show you've put to bed. Having said that now we've almost finished I'm so glad that this was the decision we made, it's just been an unbelievable experience. I think we've made the best ever season of '24'."
'24: Live Another Day' starts on Wednesday May 7 at 9pm on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 +1.
TV
Anna Passey wants to be crowned Best Villain at the British Soap Awards.
The 'Hollyoaks' beauty, who plays scheming Sienna Blake on the Channel 4 soap, is desperate to win her first ever gong at the London awards ceremony later this month.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "I would absolutely love to win because I have never won an award. I was up for an NTA (National Television Awards), which was exciting but disappointing not to win.
"The fact I've got another go at it is great, especially in the villain category, because I absolutely love playing a villain."
The 28-year-old actress, who missed out on a Sexiest Female nomination, faces stiff competition from her own co-stars Greg Wood (Trevor Royle) and Jesse Birdsall (Fraser Black) in the Best Villain category and hopes Sienna' vulnerable side won't mean she isn't a top contender for the prize.
Anna - who joined the soap in 2012 - added: "I'm very excited. I was worried because Sienna's had her more vulnerable, softer side on screen.
"As she's such a complex character I wondered whether people would start to question whether she's actually a villain or not.
"I didn't expect to be shortlisted. But I'm not sure I have a chance against those two because they are mean men."
Fans can cast their votes ahead of the May 24 ceremony at britishsoapawards.tv.
Anna Passey wants Best Villain soap award
Anna Passey wants to be crowned Best Villain at the British Soap Awards.
The 'Hollyoaks' beauty, who plays scheming Sienna Blake on the Channel 4 soap, is desperate to win her first ever gong at the London awards ceremony later this month.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "I would absolutely love to win because I have never won an award. I was up for an NTA (National Television Awards), which was exciting but disappointing not to win.
"The fact I've got another go at it is great, especially in the villain category, because I absolutely love playing a villain."
The 28-year-old actress, who missed out on a Sexiest Female nomination, faces stiff competition from her own co-stars Greg Wood (Trevor Royle) and Jesse Birdsall (Fraser Black) in the Best Villain category and hopes Sienna' vulnerable side won't mean she isn't a top contender for the prize.
Anna - who joined the soap in 2012 - added: "I'm very excited. I was worried because Sienna's had her more vulnerable, softer side on screen.
"As she's such a complex character I wondered whether people would start to question whether she's actually a villain or not.
"I didn't expect to be shortlisted. But I'm not sure I have a chance against those two because they are mean men."
Fans can cast their votes ahead of the May 24 ceremony at britishsoapawards.tv.
TV
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton are "trying to work things through".
The 'Made In Chelsea' co-stars were seen recently ending their six-month relationship after Alex was accused of cheating on Binky, but his former girlfriend has admitted things may not be over for good.
She told OK! magazine: "We are trying to work things through, yes, but it's very difficult ... We're going to see what happens."
The 23-year-old brunette, who was left devastated after they split in the last episode and had to be comforted by her mother, admitted it has been tough watching her problems play out on screen.
She said: "It's been horrible, I've been watching the show away from the other cast members because it's not easy seeing yourself like that.
"Before now, I'd never seen myself cry. So these past few weeks have been a real eye-opener. It's not been nice.
"I wish it was fake and scripted because this series has been quite a journey."
Binky - whose real name is Alexandra - also admitted her experiences have made her think twice about embarking on another televised romance.
She said: "It's not something I'd recommend. This is my first real emotional blowout and a lot of people are saying it's the most powerful series yet. I think that's because the emotions are so raw and real.
"I guess I'm glad that I'm able to contribute to the show - although I do kind of wish this wasn't my drama."
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton to ‘work things through’?
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton are "trying to work things through".
The 'Made In Chelsea' co-stars were seen recently ending their six-month relationship after Alex was accused of cheating on Binky, but his former girlfriend has admitted things may not be over for good.
She told OK! magazine: "We are trying to work things through, yes, but it's very difficult ... We're going to see what happens."
The 23-year-old brunette, who was left devastated after they split in the last episode and had to be comforted by her mother, admitted it has been tough watching her problems play out on screen.
She said: "It's been horrible, I've been watching the show away from the other cast members because it's not easy seeing yourself like that.
"Before now, I'd never seen myself cry. So these past few weeks have been a real eye-opener. It's not been nice.
"I wish it was fake and scripted because this series has been quite a journey."
Binky - whose real name is Alexandra - also admitted her experiences have made her think twice about embarking on another televised romance.
She said: "It's not something I'd recommend. This is my first real emotional blowout and a lot of people are saying it's the most powerful series yet. I think that's because the emotions are so raw and real.
"I guess I'm glad that I'm able to contribute to the show - although I do kind of wish this wasn't my drama."
TV
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton are "trying to work things through".
The 'Made In Chelsea' co-stars were seen on screen recently ending their six-month relationship after Alex was accused of cheating on her, but his former girlfriend has admitted things may not be over for good.
She told OK! magazine: "We are trying to work things through, yes, but it's very difficult ... We're going to see what happens."
The 23-year-old brunette, who was left devastated after they split in the last episode with her mother comforting her, admitted it has been tough watching her problems play out on screen.
She said: "It's been horrible, I've been watching the show away from the other cast members because it's not easy seeing yourself like that.
"Before now, I'd never seen myself cry. So these past few weeks have been a real eye-opener. It's not been nice.
"I wish it was fake and scripted because this series has been quite a journey."
Binky - real name - also admitted her experiences have made her think twice about embarking on another televised romance.
She said: "It's not something I'd recommend. This is my first real emotional blowout and a lot of people are saying it's the most powerful series yet. I think that's because the emotions are so raw and real.
"I guess I'm glad that I'm able to contribute to the show - although I do kind of wish this wasn't my drama."
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton work through things?
Binky Felstead and Alex Mytton are "trying to work things through".
The 'Made In Chelsea' co-stars were seen on screen recently ending their six-month relationship after Alex was accused of cheating on her, but his former girlfriend has admitted things may not be over for good.
She told OK! magazine: "We are trying to work things through, yes, but it's very difficult ... We're going to see what happens."
The 23-year-old brunette, who was left devastated after they split in the last episode with her mother comforting her, admitted it has been tough watching her problems play out on screen.
She said: "It's been horrible, I've been watching the show away from the other cast members because it's not easy seeing yourself like that.
"Before now, I'd never seen myself cry. So these past few weeks have been a real eye-opener. It's not been nice.
"I wish it was fake and scripted because this series has been quite a journey."
Binky - real name - also admitted her experiences have made her think twice about embarking on another televised romance.
She said: "It's not something I'd recommend. This is my first real emotional blowout and a lot of people are saying it's the most powerful series yet. I think that's because the emotions are so raw and real.
"I guess I'm glad that I'm able to contribute to the show - although I do kind of wish this wasn't my drama."
TV
Charlotte Crosby ate raw Walrus while she was travelling for her reality show.
The British star - who was catapulted to the spotlight on MTV show 'Geordie Shore' - has been whizzing around the world for 'The Charlotte Crosby Experience' and she insists walrus was one of the worst delicacies she ate.
Asked about what the worst foods she ate was, she told heat magazine: "Walrus - that was awful. It wasn't cooked. Like, imagine you got a joint of beef or gammon, and you just shoved it in the snow and froze it. Then you took it out, chopped a bit off and just started eating it. That's how they eat it."
Although she wasn't keen on certain cuisines she insists her strong accent was understood by most communities she interacted with.
Charlotte added: "People got my accents more than the crew'! It was the people from London. They couldn't understand. With me, they're were totally fine - totally understood us."
She recently admitted she learnt a lot about relationships during her new reality show where she was taught important life lessons about love.
Charlotte said: "I'm the type of person who, when I'm arguing with my boyfriend I think, that's it I'm finishing with him.
"But finishing with someone or getting a divorce is just not a question for the people I stayed with in India or Canada ... You look at all the great times you've had together and you don't just focus on the one bad time."
Charlotte Crosby ate raw Walrus
Charlotte Crosby ate raw Walrus while she was travelling for her reality show.
The British star - who was catapulted to the spotlight on MTV show 'Geordie Shore' - has been whizzing around the world for 'The Charlotte Crosby Experience' and she insists walrus was one of the worst delicacies she ate.
Asked about what the worst foods she ate was, she told heat magazine: "Walrus - that was awful. It wasn't cooked. Like, imagine you got a joint of beef or gammon, and you just shoved it in the snow and froze it. Then you took it out, chopped a bit off and just started eating it. That's how they eat it."
Although she wasn't keen on certain cuisines she insists her strong accent was understood by most communities she interacted with.
Charlotte added: "People got my accents more than the crew'! It was the people from London. They couldn't understand. With me, they're were totally fine - totally understood us."
She recently admitted she learnt a lot about relationships during her new reality show where she was taught important life lessons about love.
Charlotte said: "I'm the type of person who, when I'm arguing with my boyfriend I think, that's it I'm finishing with him.
"But finishing with someone or getting a divorce is just not a question for the people I stayed with in India or Canada ... You look at all the great times you've had together and you don't just focus on the one bad time."
TV
Ade Edmondson believes panel shows are stunting creativity in comedy.
The 57-year-old comic made his name in the 80s with his alternative stand-up show with Rik Mayall and then as one of the main stars of offbeat and satirical sitcom 'The Young Ones' - famous for its political and surreal humour.
Ade thinks there are too many comedy panel series on TV now and these easy to make programmes are stopping more interesting comedic shows from being made.
He told BANG Showbiz: "There's a point where I watch comedy and I think, 'Yeah I know that one.' I know the form, and it takes a lot to surprise me any more. I think it's been a long time since there's been a new comedy idea, I think it's the panel game format. There are some lovely versions of it; I love 'Have I Got News For You' and 'QI' and stuff like that but it's all the same level of thinking. It never really gets bizarre.
"The one good comic I've seen in the last year is Harry Hill. I went to see Harry live at The Apollo and that was still different and still surprising and funny. But it's hard because TV executives don't want to make interesting programmes, they just want to make panel shows which they can churn out."
Ade has done very little comedy since he stopped working with long-term writing and acting partner Rik in the early 200s.
The 'Celebrity Masterchef' winner - whose most recent acting role is in crime drama 'Prey' - doesn't think that's a situation that will change any time soon as he doesn't have the same appetite for the genre as he used to.
Ade - who has partnered with Merrydown cider to cook up three brand new recipes made from the alcoholic drink (Facebook.com/merrydown.cider) - said: "I'll be doing very little comedy I think. I'm not averse to little bits of it but I'm not chasing it like I used to because I don't feel that need, I don't even watch a lot of comedy any more - it doesn't excite me in the way it used to."
Ade Edmondson claims panel shows are bad for comedy
Ade Edmondson believes panel shows are stunting creativity in comedy.
The 57-year-old comic made his name in the 80s with his alternative stand-up show with Rik Mayall and then as one of the main stars of offbeat and satirical sitcom 'The Young Ones' - famous for its political and surreal humour.
Ade thinks there are too many comedy panel series on TV now and these easy to make programmes are stopping more interesting comedic shows from being made.
He told BANG Showbiz: "There's a point where I watch comedy and I think, 'Yeah I know that one.' I know the form, and it takes a lot to surprise me any more. I think it's been a long time since there's been a new comedy idea, I think it's the panel game format. There are some lovely versions of it; I love 'Have I Got News For You' and 'QI' and stuff like that but it's all the same level of thinking. It never really gets bizarre.
"The one good comic I've seen in the last year is Harry Hill. I went to see Harry live at The Apollo and that was still different and still surprising and funny. But it's hard because TV executives don't want to make interesting programmes, they just want to make panel shows which they can churn out."
Ade has done very little comedy since he stopped working with long-term writing and acting partner Rik in the early 200s.
The 'Celebrity Masterchef' winner - whose most recent acting role is in crime drama 'Prey' - doesn't think that's a situation that will change any time soon as he doesn't have the same appetite for the genre as he used to.
Ade - who has partnered with Merrydown cider to cook up three brand new recipes made from the alcoholic drink (Facebook.com/merrydown.cider) - said: "I'll be doing very little comedy I think. I'm not averse to little bits of it but I'm not chasing it like I used to because I don't feel that need, I don't even watch a lot of comedy any more - it doesn't excite me in the way it used to."
TV
Dannii Minogue would love to return to 'Home and Away'.
The former 'X Factor' judge played Emma Jackson in the Australian soap from 1989 to 1990 before her character left Summer Bay to take a job as an air hostess, and she's now admitted she'd love to reprise her role and get back together with her former co-stars.
Speaking to TV Week, she said: "I'd love to get back on the 'Home and Away' set and have a revisit. I think anything is possible with the right scriptwriters. I think it would be fun.
"There are a few old friends there who were there when I was on, so it could be great."
Kate Richie - who spent 20 years on 'Home and Away' playing Sally Fletcher - added that she would also like to see Dannii back on 'Home and Away', and claimed she would even consider reprising her own role.
She said: "If they're brining Emma back, we'll have to do a double deal on that one. Maybe Sally could confront her. That would be fun!"
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Dannii - whose sister Kylie Minogue starred on rival soap 'Neighbours' in the '80s - has confessed she'd also like to make a cameo appearance in prison drama 'Wentworth'.
She said: "I would love to do 'Wentworth' - really. No make-up, a prison outfit, working the press and the bad Dannii would come back. Now that would interest me.
"Working in drama was such a big part of my teenage years and I always enjoyed it."
Dannii Minogue open to Home and Away return
Dannii Minogue would love to return to 'Home and Away'.
The former 'X Factor' judge played Emma Jackson in the Australian soap from 1989 to 1990 before her character left Summer Bay to take a job as an air hostess, and she's now admitted she'd love to reprise her role and get back together with her former co-stars.
Speaking to TV Week, she said: "I'd love to get back on the 'Home and Away' set and have a revisit. I think anything is possible with the right scriptwriters. I think it would be fun.
"There are a few old friends there who were there when I was on, so it could be great."
Kate Richie - who spent 20 years on 'Home and Away' playing Sally Fletcher - added that she would also like to see Dannii back on 'Home and Away', and claimed she would even consider reprising her own role.
She said: "If they're brining Emma back, we'll have to do a double deal on that one. Maybe Sally could confront her. That would be fun!"
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Dannii - whose sister Kylie Minogue starred on rival soap 'Neighbours' in the '80s - has confessed she'd also like to make a cameo appearance in prison drama 'Wentworth'.
She said: "I would love to do 'Wentworth' - really. No make-up, a prison outfit, working the press and the bad Dannii would come back. Now that would interest me.
"Working in drama was such a big part of my teenage years and I always enjoyed it."
TV
Julie Hesmondhalgh is to star in a new drama about modern homosexual life.
The 44-year-old actress has been cast alongside Freddie Fox and Vincent Franklin in Channel 4's upcoming eight-part series 'Cucumber' - which was first announced last year and is set in Manchester.
The programme will offer a glimpse into the "passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life" and Julie will portray Cleo, the sister of Vincent's character Henry.
Other cast members include Cyril Nri, Fisayo Akinade, Con O'Neill, James Murray and Ceallach Spellman.
'Cucumber' - which is due to air in 2015 - is the new show from screenwriter Russell T Davies who was the creator of 1999 series 'Queer As Folk', which followed the lives of three homosexual men who lived in Manchester's gay village.
Davies was also responsible for bringing 'Doctor Who' back to television in 2005 after a 16-year absence from screens.
Channel 4 is also filming a companion series entitled 'Banana' which will air on E4 and feature the same characters.
'Cucumber' will be Julie's first TV role since she left 'Coronation Street' in January 2014 after playing transsexual factory worker Hayley Cropper for 15 years.
Her moving final scenes which showed Hayley take her own life after deciding she could no longer live with her terminal pancreatic cancer, passing away in the arms of her husband Roy Cropper (David Neilson), were watched by over 10 million viewers.
Julie Hesmondhalgh to star in new gay TV drama
Julie Hesmondhalgh is to star in a new drama about modern homosexual life.
The 44-year-old actress has been cast alongside Freddie Fox and Vincent Franklin in Channel 4's upcoming eight-part series 'Cucumber' - which was first announced last year and is set in Manchester.
The programme will offer a glimpse into the "passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life" and Julie will portray Cleo, the sister of Vincent's character Henry.
Other cast members include Cyril Nri, Fisayo Akinade, Con O'Neill, James Murray and Ceallach Spellman.
'Cucumber' - which is due to air in 2015 - is the new show from screenwriter Russell T Davies who was the creator of 1999 series 'Queer As Folk', which followed the lives of three homosexual men who lived in Manchester's gay village.
Davies was also responsible for bringing 'Doctor Who' back to television in 2005 after a 16-year absence from screens.
Channel 4 is also filming a companion series entitled 'Banana' which will air on E4 and feature the same characters.
'Cucumber' will be Julie's first TV role since she left 'Coronation Street' in January 2014 after playing transsexual factory worker Hayley Cropper for 15 years.
Her moving final scenes which showed Hayley take her own life after deciding she could no longer live with her terminal pancreatic cancer, passing away in the arms of her husband Roy Cropper (David Neilson), were watched by over 10 million viewers.
TV
Michael Le Vell has been sober for five weeks.
The 'Coronation Street' star - who at the height of his alcoholism would down up to 12 pints a night - left The Priory rehab clinic near Hale in Greater Manchester on April 20 after completing a three-week treatment course for alcohol abuse.
Michael is sticking to his new clean lifestyle and is regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and is "feeling better than ever".
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Many of the cast and crew have been in touch and they have been delighted to hear that he is feeling fit and well and staying away from the booze."
"Michael says he is feeling better than ever."
The 49-year-old star is currently house-hunting with his girlfriend Louise Gibbons as he wants to quit his rented home in Hale because the house holds too any unhappy memories as he lived there after separating from his wife of 25 years Janette Beverley, 48, and as he waited to face trial on child sex abuse claims, charges he was found not-guilty of in court in September 2013.
Michael has decided to take his relationship with Louise to the next level after she stood by him through revelations made by his former lover Blanca Fouche that he took cocaine and had a threesome with her and another man when he and Blanca were together.
A friend of the actor's said: "They are looking a place to call their own because his old one has too many bad memories ... Michael is absolutely head over heels in love with Louise and his problems over the last few months have brought them even closer together. He has been bowled over by the fact that she has been 100 percent there for him."
Michael is due to return to 'Coronation Street' in September, and bosses have decided to ease him back into the soap gently and not give him any major storylines until he feels totally comfortable back on set.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Michael knows the graveness of what has gone on and realises he has really got to get his act together. The original notion was to bring him back and thrust him into a massive storyline.
"But it seems he will be allowed to settle in at the right pace."
Michael Le Vell sober for five weeks
Michael Le Vell has been sober for five weeks.
The 'Coronation Street' star - who at the height of his alcoholism would down up to 12 pints a night - left The Priory rehab clinic near Hale in Greater Manchester on April 20 after completing a three-week treatment course for alcohol abuse.
Michael is sticking to his new clean lifestyle and is regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and is "feeling better than ever".
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Many of the cast and crew have been in touch and they have been delighted to hear that he is feeling fit and well and staying away from the booze."
"Michael says he is feeling better than ever."
The 49-year-old star is currently house-hunting with his girlfriend Louise Gibbons as he wants to quit his rented home in Hale because the house holds too any unhappy memories as he lived there after separating from his wife of 25 years Janette Beverley, 48, and as he waited to face trial on child sex abuse claims, charges he was found not-guilty of in court in September 2013.
Michael has decided to take his relationship with Louise to the next level after she stood by him through revelations made by his former lover Blanca Fouche that he took cocaine and had a threesome with her and another man when he and Blanca were together.
A friend of the actor's said: "They are looking a place to call their own because his old one has too many bad memories ... Michael is absolutely head over heels in love with Louise and his problems over the last few months have brought them even closer together. He has been bowled over by the fact that she has been 100 percent there for him."
Michael is due to return to 'Coronation Street' in September, and bosses have decided to ease him back into the soap gently and not give him any major storylines until he feels totally comfortable back on set.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Michael knows the graveness of what has gone on and realises he has really got to get his act together. The original notion was to bring him back and thrust him into a massive storyline.
"But it seems he will be allowed to settle in at the right pace."