Les and Pam Coker

[Kim]

I was actually quite surprised that Paul recognised Christine as Les so quickly. I think it would have taken me a lot longer if I was in that situation.

I think perhaps the fact that he is gay helps him to be more accepting of it than Pam. He knows first hand that it's not a choice, but who you are (albeit in a different way for each of them.)

[lizann]

they are leaving

[Perdita]

Sad news: Les and Pam Coker are to leave EastEnders.

The couple - played by Roger Sloman and Lin Blakley - have been at the centre of plenty of storylines in recent months, with the latest being the shock murder of their grandson Paul.

A BBC spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Roger and Lin will be leaving EastEnders later this year.

"They have been a pleasure to work with and we wish them all the best for the future."

Before Paul's death, it was revealed Pam has lied to Paul his entire life about his parents.

Les also suffered a heart attack while partly dressed as his female alter-ego, while The Mirror reports that his cross-dressing secret will be revealed to the Square before the pair leave. Of course it will ...

Digital Spy

[Ruffed_lemur]

A shame they're leaving. Reported on AOL that the actors "had run their course". Really?! Well, if it were up to me, I'd keep on good characters / actors like them.

[Rear window]

Death of their grandson is too huge a storyline for them to recover from.

i hope thwir exit involves the end of babe too thoug.

[Rear window]

Death of their grandson is too huge a storyline for them to recover from.

i hope thwir exit involves the end of babe too thoug.

[Dazzle]

Death of their grandson is too huge a storyline for them to recover from.

I disagree: loved ones die all the time in soaps without any real long-term consequences.

I'm still not watching EE at the moment but am disappointed at this news because I intend to recommence viewing sometime in the near future. I think the characters of Les and Pam have been very ill served by DTC and SOC. The Christine storyline was a perfect chance to change attitudes but it deteriorated into just another dirty little soap secret. I dread to think how it made real life cross-dressers and their families feel!

I feel sorry that Roger Sloman and Lin Blakely have lost their jobs due to the lack of imagination of the EE team.

[Glen1]

Great shame ,I really don't understand the thought process at EE over this, whilst continuing to inflict Ben Mitchell, Kathy Beale, the total rubbish that was Gavin and the forthcoming crap of Grant Mitchell to mention just four. To get rid of two characters worth developing beggars belief. Unfortunately EE has turned into the Beale & Mitchell Show, may just as well go the whole hog and get rid of anyone who doesn't have one or the other surnames. x 2

[Perdita]

I despair at times when the production team says they can´t take a character any further .. why can they do it for some (50+ years for Ken Barlow in Corrie, Ian Beale 30+ years etc EastEnders) ... I really enjoyed what I saw of the Cokers, can´t believe that the death of their grandson who was only with them for a year or so is being made their excuse for leaving ... ah well, lets look forward to more cheating on partners, who is the daddy as result and the odd cover-up of a murder and inprisonment of an innocent character for a year or so

[parkerman]

I have to say that reading the comments from members of this forum who I greatly respect is doing nothing to entice me back to Eastenders. It seems to be getting even worse!