Emmerdale fans have asked scriptwriters to consider recasting the role of Ellis Chapman, after the actor who played him was sacked this week.
Bosses at the ITV soap had no choice but to terminate Asan N’Jie’s employment “with immediate effect”, after he threatened to kill fellow actor Jamie Lomas at the TV Choice awards.
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The channel confirmed the news of his dismissal after crisis talks with the actor.
A statement said: “Emmerdale suspended Asan N’Jie yesterday pending further investigation into an incident at a central London hotel on Monday night.
“ITV executives have met with him this morning and as a consequence Asan’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect.”
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But Emmerdale fans have been left wondering what will happen to his character, less than a year after he was cast in the show.
Ellis arrived in the village in September 2018, and viewers have invested time in the character and his brother Billy.
After the shocking news of Asan’s sacking broke on Wednesday (September 11), one fan tweeted: “Emmerdale, please recast Ellis, the actor has only been in the role a year, give another young actor the chance to take him on.”
@emmerdale please recast Ellis, the actor has only been in the role a year, give another young actor the chance to take him on.
— PoofyThVampireSlayer (@gavviefarron) September 11, 2019
That's not a bad shout to be fair , I know Reece is in the same charity football as Jay who plays Billy and Danny who plays Aaron so would quickly fit in to the cast.
— TylaCarrfanpage (@FansDownload) September 11, 2019
Ellis could, and probably should be recast. The character has a lot more to give I feel, especially with them bringing in Al.
— Jon Dexter (@JonMDexter) September 11, 2019
I wonder if he will be recast coz it seems like they had big plans for Ellis since they brought in his dad. I do hope they keep billy and Al. It would be unfair on them if they'd have to leave due to something that idiot did
— Alan (@alanactor123) September 11, 2019
Another added: “How would the Emmerdale fandom feel if Ellis was recast and played by @reecedouglas1 who also went for the part back in 2018?”
A third agreed, typing: “That’s not a bad shout to be fair. I know Reece is in the same charity football as Jay who plays Billy and Danny who plays Aaron so would quickly fit in to the cast.”
“Ellis could, and probably should, be recast,” said one more. “The character has a lot more to give I feel, especially with them bringing in Al.”
Another pondered: “I wonder if he will be recast because it seems like they had big plans for Ellis since they brought in his dad. I do hope they keep Billy and Al. It would be unfair on them if they have to leave.”
Emmerdale usually films episodes around six to eight weeks in advance, so it will be some time before viewers will see Ellis’ abrupt exit from the village.
The “devastated” actor issued a public apology after his dismissal, saying: “My behaviour at the TV Choice Awards was completely unacceptable and very much out of character.
“I sincerely apologise to everybody who has been affected especially Jamie Lomas, the whole Emmerdale team, our audience, ITV, my family, and the organisers of the TV Choice Awards.
“I am devastated, accept full responsibility for my actions and I am determined to learn from this.”
The actor was filmed having a violent altercation with Jamie, threatening to kill him.
We’ve since learnt the argument was over money.
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