London Bridge DVD

While the other most recent Network DVD soap release, Revelations, is pure melodrama, London Bridge is a grittier soap that is only slightly larger-than-life. Despite opening with a mysterious dead body in the water the programme goes on to deal with issues that your average viewer can identify with.

In fact, the initial body in the water plot seems a bit forced and doesn't really lead anywhere beyond the first few episodes (although having only seen the first 13, perhaps there is more to come later in the series).

It took a few episodes to get into the show and start caring about the characters, but suddenly things seemed to click into place and before long I was hooked on the trials and tribulations of these young neighbours in London Bridge. Even characters who at first seem unsympathetic, such as Ant and Isobel, quickly develop into two of the most rounded and likeable people living at the Millhouse.

There are moments of comedy in the soap, mostly provided by the antics of landlord from hell, Ant, and his tenant Ravi and Ravi's girlfriend Sam. However, these episodes also contain a very hard-hitting rape scene which although essential to the plot is difficult to forget.

Let's hope more episodes of London Bridge are due for release in 2012.

Al Hicks

LONDON BRIDGE STARS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Simone Lahbib (Mary O'Connor)
Went on to find fame as Larkhall governer Helen Stewart in Bad Girls. Helen had an affair with a character played by London Bridge cast-mate Mandana Jones. Following the success of Bad Girls has starred in Monarch of the Glen, Wire in the Blood and Single-Handed.

Sean Francis (Jed Kemp)
Still acting and has appeared in numerous roles on peak-time telly shows such as EastEnder, The Bill, Casualty and more recently Coronation Street.

Nick Kemp (Oliver Haden)
Appeared in a number of award-winning films before moving to work in the education sector.

Nicola King (Isobel Kemp)
Disappeared from the screen for a number of years after roles in Midsomer Murders and Heatrbeat but turned up briefly this year in an episode of Spooks.

Rosalind March (Liz Kemp)
Has been in many television shows and films, including Doctors, New Tricks and Calendar Girls and East is East. Most recently starred in an episode of ITV's Eternal Law.

Ayub Khan-Din (Ravi Shah)
Went on to have great success as the writer of East is East and West is West. Latest film All in Good Time is due for release in 2012. Now lives in Spain with wife, former Eldorado star Buki Armstrong.

John Michie (Tim Morris)
Probably best known until recently as DI Robbie Ross in Taggart but now finding greater fame as Stella's partner, Karl Munro, in Coronation Street.

Mandana Jones (Sam Haynes)
Became one part of an iconic lesbian couple as Nikki Wade in Bad Girls. Took time out from acting to start a family but is now acting again and has appeared in shows including Doctors, EastEnders and Casualty.

Charles Simpson (Anthony Webster)
Continued to act for a few years before co-founding a company that delivers training on communication skills to large corporations.