Last night saw a farewell to Lewis Archer and with him, Nigel Havers. There were one or two raised eyebrows when it was first announced that Havers was joining the programme. For many in the UK, his name was synonymous with the 1980s hit BBC comedy 'Don't Wait Up' in which he played an NHS doctor whose father had a practise in Harley Street. Havers was also a big hit as Ralph Gorse in ITV's 'The Charmer'. Maybe it was the latter which had more of an influence on the enigmatic Lewis.
The man who caused havoc for Gail and family was certainly a bad boy but he was never going to be another Charlie Stubbs or a Richard Hillman. Lewis was all about persuasion and seduction and as a baddie, he was more 'swirling cape and twirling moustache' than pure evil.
Some wonderful writing took us all from distrusting Lewis, to having a grudging respect and then all the way back to distrust again. His middle phase, living with Audrey and providing sage advice to Nick at the Bistro was a joy. Lewis was all a bit of a chancer but there seemed to be a realisation that he was getting no younger and perhaps had lost his zest for criminal life. Audrey provided him with the stability and companionship that he needed. Gail and Gloria robbed him of that happiness.
However, despite fleecing Gail of £40K and blackmailing the horrified Kylie, Lewis' love for Audrey never dissipated and although he's gone forever, there was reassurance for heartbroken Mrs Roberts that she was the true love of his life.
Will Lewis ever set foot on the cobbles again? Should he? Is Lewis Archer the ideal Corrie baddie?
Arriverderci!
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