The actor reveals all about his new role, cracking his skull open and singing in the West End….

He was one of Holby City’s original cast members, and now Michael French is returning as Nick Jordan after two years away from our screens- but this time Jordan’s moving to Casualty as the new boss.
And his arrival at the Accident and Emergency department will cause some unrest as he barks out orders to staff and upsets colleagues. ‘jordan is attracted by power and success’ explains Michael. ‘He has gone though a lot of changes in his life, but he sees his job in casualty as an opportunity to turn a clean page. He believes he can make the department better.’
His style impresses Dr Ruth Winters (Georgia Taylor), who finds herself attracted to the goodlooking heart surgeon. ‘Right from the word go, Ruth really admires Jordan’ says the 45-year-old-actor, ‘It’s a tricky situation though, as he has learned from past mistakes not to mix his personal life with work.’
Michael won’t reveal whether Jordan will fall for Ruth romantically, but one thing is for sure his chatacter’s in for abumpy ride.
‘He’s got a very tough journey ahead of him, and viewers will learn more in time what he’s hiding from people, but that is all I am saying for now!’ He says cryptically.
The move to Casualty is an exciting challenge for Michael. Smiling, he says ‘It’s great to play Jordan again. I’ve always relished playing such a devilish character and I enjoy being part of a family unit such as Casualty– all the cast and crew have made me feel so welcome.’
Thankfully, he hasn’t had any recent A&E experiences, but did end up in hospital when he was a baby. ‘I’ve been to hospital once, when I was 18 months old,’ he recalls. ‘I fell out of my bedroom window and was in a coma for five days. My parents thought I was going to die. I fell from the second floor and cracked my skull open. I’d been playing with a toy car on the windowsill. ‘Our neighbour saw me fall. My mum and dad were beside themselves with worry and I can’t imagine what they went through. I came round after five days and was fine. I have always wondered whether any permanent damage was done!’ He chuckles.
The likeable actor has played Jordan on and off for 10 years,but he is,of course, also know for his role of David Wicks in Eastenders from 1993 to 1996, when the show was regularly watched by an audience of more than 20 million.
Michael has fond memories of his time in Albert Square. ‘If it wasn’t for Eastenders, I probarbly wouldn’t be working in TV now,’ he says. ‘I still watch the soap. The actors and writing are great.’
A private person, did he get upset by the intrusion that came with such a high-profile role? ‘I just ignored it and got on with my job,’ he replies smiling. ‘It was intense but rewarding work and I had some great on-screen partnerships with Pam (St Clements- Pat), Lindsey (Coulson – Carol), Patsy (Palmer -Bianca), and Michelle (Collins – Cindy). I’ll always have fond memories of working on the show; I learned a lot.’
An incredibly down-to-earth, charming, fun person in the flesh, Michael, dressed in Nicks Jordan’s trademark pin-striped suit, is very relaxed as he talks about his return to television.Intrestingly, he cites his part as Tony in the West End revial of West Side Story, at Her Majesty’s Theatre, in 1985, as one of his most proud moments during a careerthat has also seen him star in TV’s Crime Traveller and Born and Bred, as well as taking to the stage in Les Miserables, Art and Chicago.
I’ll never forget being cast in West Side Story,’ he admits. ‘I hadn’t been trained and there were hundreds of boys there and I got the role of Tony. That spurred me on, and it’s a case in point that you do just have to go for it. Being in that was one of the proudest moments of my life.’
He admires Andrew Lloyd Webber’s innovative decision to ask the public to choose the leading stars of some of his musicals, ratherthan going down the conventional audition route. ‘I don’t see any harm in the TV shows. If they encourage the general public to visit the theatre, and then maybe see another show, then that’s great. I particularly enjoyed I’d Do Anything. I met some of the Nancys and they were charming and talented and deserved the opportunity to work in the industry.’
He thinks he still has another West End musical in him, but ask Michael if he’d like to go in celebrity jungle and he roars with laughter. ‘Absolutely not!’ he says, still chuckling. ‘I’d probarbly cope quite well because I love people, but if I was to do any of the reality shows it would be Strictly Come Dancing. I’d rather be on the dance floor than in the jungle!’ Pausing he adds: I do like to keep my hand in musicals, though, and it wouldbe good to do another one.
I’m enjoying myself at the moment. I believe in fate, and being in Casualty really feels right. I’m so glad I’ve been asked to play Jordan again.’