Blokes On Soaps

Goood things about Indi Walker breaking up with Romeo Smith – she is single and flaunting herself at other blokes. Bad things about Indi Walker breaking up with Romeo Smith – she has stopped taking surfing lessons and hitting the waves as much, meaning a distinct lack of bikini action. Until now.

While the romance doesn’t look like being rekindled anytime soon due to Romeo having been put well off by Sid’s warnings to stay away from his daughter, the friendship is looking back on track. So much so that the two returned to a secluded spot to catch the surf again – meaning that us blokes got another cheeky look at one of Summer Bay’s finest in her smalls.

Let us hope for the sake of blokes everywhere that this is the first of many

So, one of soaps most formidible older blokes has now departed our screens following the heartfelt scenes where Jim Branning was taken into permanent care. It was a moving time for all, especially his wife Dot and the blokish offspring that Jim has produced in Max and Jack. As we say goodbye to Jim, let’s take a look back at some of the things that made him, despite his advancing age, a true bloke and an Albert Square legend:

Womanising: Jim is the ultimate elderly player. Despite marrying Dot, he was constantly fighting off the attention of other spinsters around the Square owing to his blokish ways

Gambling: Despite Dot’s Christian views on betting, Jim continued to do so anyway right into his old age

Drinking: Getting a job as a glass collectors in The Vic was a stroke of genius for Jim, as it meant that he could combine the excuse of going to work with that of drinking alcohol despite it being another thing that his wife did not like him doing

Racism: It’s certainly not acceptable now, but Jim was used to tackle racism. We learnt early on that he locked Max in a coffin for being friends with a black boy, and then when daughter Carol marries Alan he refuses to give her away. Initially hostile to blokes who were not white, Jim eventually redefines his views to become a more worldly man through his friendship with Patrick “yeah man” Truman

He’s had a good live in Walford, and there is still the chance that actor John Bardon may pop back for the odd appearance in the future. His stroke in real life though has obviously taken a lot out of him, and all we at Blokes on Soaps can do is wish John the best for the future, and thank the guys at EastEnders for showing us that just because you are a pensioner, you can still be a true bloke