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Why do so many soap characters get moved to Norfolk?

Mickey Miller and Fiz Dobbs, played by Joe Swash and  Jennie McAlpine respectively, both moved to Norwich Picture: ITV/PA <i>(Image: PA/ITV)</i>
Mickey Miller and Fiz Dobbs, played by Joe Swash and Jennie McAlpine respectively, both moved to Norwich Picture: ITV/PA (Image: PA/ITV)

Over the years, many soap characters have been written out of their respective shows by swapping the likes of Walford and Weatherfield for Norfolk.

Last week on ITV's I'm A Celebrity South Africa, former EastEnders actor Joe Swash discussed his character Mickey Miller's disappointing departure mid-episode in 2008 to be a hotel bellboy in Norwich.

Coronation Street's Fiz Dobbs is also moving to the city this year as actress Jennie McAlpine goes on maternity leave.

Going back through the archives, there have been many more characters to be written out to far-flung corners of East Anglia - which appears to be the equivalent of Outer Mongolia in the world of soap.

Eastern Daily Press: Fiz Dobbs actress Jennie McAlpine is temporarily leaving Coronation Street on maternity leave, pictured with Tyrone Dobbs actor Alan Halsall Picture: PA
Eastern Daily Press: Fiz Dobbs actress Jennie McAlpine is temporarily leaving Coronation Street on maternity leave, pictured with Tyrone Dobbs actor Alan Halsall Picture: PA

Fiz Dobbs actress Jennie McAlpine is temporarily leaving Coronation Street on maternity leave, pictured with Tyrone Dobbs actor Alan Halsall Picture: PA (Image: PA)

This includes Emmerdale's Sam Dingle, who temporarily left to live in Norfolk in 2005, and EastEnders' exiles Kelvin Carpenter, who appeared in the early years and went to study at UEA, and the Tavernier family departed in the 1990s.

READ MORE: Steam train ride with gin and charcuterie launches in Norfolk

Perhaps it is far enough away from London and the north of England that it is plausible the character wouldn't come back and visit, but also close enough for their on-screen family and friends to visit them occasionally, with references in the script.

Speaking to one of our journalists in 2006, Norfolk-based writer Lilie Ferrari, who worked on EastEnders in the 1980s and 90s, said there was no conspiracy to turn the county into a soap graveyard, but that it was a running joke.

READ MORE: When Eastenders swapped Walford for Norfolk

Eastern Daily Press: EastEnders crews filmed on the Norfolk Broads in August 1998
Eastern Daily Press: EastEnders crews filmed on the Norfolk Broads in August 1998

EastEnders crews filmed on the Norfolk Broads in August 1998 (Image: Bill Smith)

She said: "Occasionally it would amuse people to say 'I know, let's send them to Norfolk' when they couldn't think what to do with a character, but I don't think it would be done on purpose."

Scriptwriters also love the picturesque countryside of Norfolk as a filming location, including famous episodes shot in August 1998 on the Broads for EastEnders.

Leaving behind the Queen Vic pub, Gianni, Beppe and Teresa di Marco, along with Matthew Rose, Simon Raymond, Chris Clark and Mary Flaherty, made The Ferry Inn at Horning their new watering hole.

Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure - soap bosses can't get enough of Norfolk.