NEARING THE 'END

ACTOR Colm O'Maonlai is gearing up for one of the biggest TV storylines of the year.. his departure from EastEnders.

Fans of the soap will see O'Maonlai's character Tom hit his lowest ebb over the coming weeks as he battles to cope with a massive brain tumor.

The Irish charmer, who has been a hit with Eastender's enormous audiences across the UK and Ireland, hits rock bottom as he struggles to come to terms with his failing health while keeping girlfriend Sharon (Letitia Dean) in the dark about his fatal condition.

Although the smooth talking Tom confides in Dr Anthony Trueman about his fears for his life and physical strength he refuses to tell Sharon why his behaviour has become so erratic.

But his efforts to convince Sharon that she is the only one for him end up causing him more problems - when she takes the opportunity to propose marriage to him.

"Tom is completely shocked," a show insider revealed. "He can't believe what he is hearing. He is going through this personal hell about the brain tumor. He doesn't want to admit it to himself let alone Sharon and now she has proposed to him.

"It is very dramatic and he ends up refusing her hand in marriage and ending their whole relationship. He is a mess at the moment and things are just going to get worse for him."

Although soap bosses are keeping tight lipped about how exactly O'Maonlai's character will be written out of the show at the beginning of November, this is the beginning of the end for the handsome Irish rogue who has built up a huge female following since he started on the soap earlier this year.

This week's viewers will see relations between Tom and Sharon come under strain as he ignores Dr Trueman's advice to see a specialist and tell his employer about his problems.

The insider said: "Tom is in no mood to be reminded about his health problems. And although Sharon is in the mood for a night of talking and closeness he just wants to be alone.

"Sharon fronts him up, telling him she knows he has a secret but he tells her he can't tell her what is wrong.

"She threatens to leave him but Tom realises he needs her and that he loves her.

"He is worried because he knows that Sharon loves him for his strength among other things and with the illness that will go.

"He is a fireman and he loves his job and he doesn't want to lose that although he knows he shouldn't be doing it with a brain tumor.

"He manages to convince Sharon that there will never be anyone else but her."

Unlucky in love Sharon takes Tom's promises to heart and decides to do something that she would usually have left to the men in her life.

"The two of them are messing one day and they decide to swap roles.

"Tom is supposed to do the washing and cleaning and Sharon takes on the role of a man.

"It is all supposed to be a joke but Sharon takes it to heart and shocks Tom when she arrives home with a ring and asks for his hand in marriage.

"He just freaks. He knows he can't marry her because he has the tumor and doesn't want to tell her about it.

"He ends the relationship leaving Sharon devastated."

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
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