INSIDE SOAP – MAY 1995
Has David really gone soft or is Bianca being tricked into trusting the squares’s baddest bad guy?
Bianca Jackson didn’t take too long sobering up from her gin soaked slumber. Maybe that’s because she realised just how useful it could be to have David Wicks, Albert Square’s resident rogue, as her new-found dad.
Ever since David told Bianca she was the product of a teenage fling with Carol, 17 years ago, Bianca’s world has been turned upside down. But now, thanks to the influence of her mate Tiffany, Bianca’s wised-up and is ready to take advantage of David at every opportunity!
“Bianca’s taking David for a ride in more ways than one,” explains Michael French, who plays Albert Square’s stellar hunk. “Now that they’ve been reconcilled, Tiffany persuades Bianca to use David to get what she wants and so David buys her a car.”
But David is no fool and seizes the opportunity to bond with his daughter, offering her driving lessons in a bid to get closer to her and so they form a fragile truce.
Needless to say, the Jacksons are far from pleased at the blossoming friendship, but David for one is relieved that his dark secret is finally out in the open.
“David doesn’t want to interfere with the family. He just wants to be Bianca’s dad and as long as she likes him, and there’s a bond there, then he’s happy,” explains Michael.
But Michael is quick to admit that after all the time spent waiting in the wings David still has mixed feelings for his daughter. “The age gap between them makes it difficult. Don’t forget David’s a hotbloodied man. On the one hand he see’s Bianca as his daughter and, on the other, as an attractive 17-year-old,” reveals Michael. “We know he’s attracted to young girls so there’s always that danger he’s missinterpreting his feelings.”
It was only 18 months ago that David left his family to make it big in Walford, but Michael reckons David has turned over a new leaf lately.
“David’s changed a lot since he left his wife and kids. Things weren’t going well so he came to the square to start afresh,” says Michael. “No doubt his old family will rear their ugly heads eventually, but I think they’re well rid of him!”
The square has certainly been treated to a much softer side to David recently, which Michael is greatful for.
“There was always the danger that David might turn into a villain like Nick Cotton,” admits Michael. “But while David has a nasty side, I wanted to make him charming rather than evil- it’s much easier to relate to.”
Michael is not so sure however that we will see David’s charming side in relation to Bianca.
“David’s very obsessive and he’s determined to get hold of what he wants. This has brought out his paternal side more than ever before, but whether he’ll continue to be a good, loving father waits to be seen.” Just because we are seeing David’s paternal side at the moment, it doesn’t mean that he has gone soft in his old age!
“He’d go over the edge if he was pushed. He’s not a thug, but he’ll defend his own.” says Michael. “He may not be out for a fight like Grant but David is confrontational in a different way. He’s deceitful, devious and scheming, but there’s a big heart there!”
Now David has Bianca under his wing, Michael thinks David only needs the love of a good woman to complete the picture! “David will blow the roof off that portacabin when he finally gets his girl!” Whoever she may be ….
A Real Cockney Sparrow
Michael French must be one of the few cockneys in the cast of EastEnders as he really was born within the sound of Bow bells!
“I was actually born in Bow in the East End, but my family moved to Epping Forest in Essex when I was young. My family used to live and work in the same street and my nan was a conductor on the Number 25 bus to Victoria!” says Michael, who still lives in Epping Forest.
“I couldn’t move too far away from my family. We’re pretty close-knit and they keep my feet on the ground. I’m not into the celebrity lifestyle – my work’s too important to me!”
