Holby City Elliot Hope returns
PAUL BRADLEY LIFTS THE LID ON REPRISING THE ROLE OF ELLIOT HOPE, AND HINTS THAT IT COULD BE FOR THE LAST TIME…
Professor Elliot Hope earned his place in Holby history as one of the medical drama’s best-loved characters, so it was only fitting that star Paul Bradley was among the familiar faces to return for the show’s 20th anniversary this year. Jac’s friend and former mentor reappears as she continues to unravel – kicking off a huge story for the pair, when Elliot reveals a secret of his own…
Hello again, Paul! Was it an easy decision to return for Holby City’s
20th anniversary?
Do you know, I was doing a play at the beginning of the year and Holby’s executive producer came to see it. He asked me what I was up to. I hadn’t been doing much, so I confessed that I really wanted to go to Japan to see the Rugby World Cup, but that I couldn’t afford it. So he said, “Well, you could if you came back to Holby!” As it happens, I never went to Japan in the end!
Haha! You played Elliot for 10 years. Did you feel nostalgic to walk back on to the ward again?
It was brilliant, as there were still so many people that I knew – from the cast and crew, to people in the canteen. I still got stopped by BBC security, who said, “What are you doing here, and what programme are you in?” [Laughs] It was like being back home.
What brings Elliot back to Holby?
Well it’s the 150th anniversary of the hospital’s opening, and Elliot comes back as a special guest, but he has an ulterior motive as well. What Elliot does is very logical – Holby is where his heart belongs and he goes to Jac, whom he trusts. It is a wonderful story.
When Elliot is reunited with Jac, does he realise that she’s struggling?
He doesn’t at first, but because Elliot knows her well, he reads it and tries to protect her – putting someone else’s wellbeing before his own, as usual. The two characters are both very good at concealing what is upsetting them, so I think they recognise that, and try to help each other. There is an episode towards the end of the year that is quite Christmassy called Three Wise Men
– referring to Elliot, Sacha and Fletch, the closest people to Jac.
What did you think when the show’s bosses told you where the story was heading?
I said, “Please don’t kill me off”!
We hope that doesn’t happen!
Since leaving in 2015 have you ever thought about returning full-time?
I’m happy that I left Elliot when I did, though coming back has made me think that it would be nice to go back again. I think you are very lucky if you’re in a job that you love, and as an actor I’ve always wanted to be as good as I can be. I’ve always felt lucky to be employed, and that’s not me being over-modest, as it’s a tough business. There are lots of actors out of work, so if you are in work, do it properly, I think. I sound like a school teacher!
Some new faces have joined the ward since you left. Who did you enjoy meeting?
The lovely chap who has taken my desk! Ramin Karimloo [aka Kian], who has been hit over the head with a handsome stick! He was great, and is into his music like I am, so we had that in common. In fact, Ramin sang with Barbra Streisand at the British Summer Time concert [earlier this year in London’s Hyde Park] that I went to.
Inside Soap also remembers you as Eastenders’ Nigel Bates. Do fans like to reminisce with you about him?
Yes, although it depends on the generation. People in their mid-30s say to me, “Hello, Nigel”. Whereas anyone under 30 tends to say, “Oh, I like you in
Casualty!” [Laughs]