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Fans of As the World Turns‘ überpopular Brad & Katie (dubbed Bratie) were stunned yesterday when CBS Soaps-in-Depth mysteriously tweeted that Austin Peck, who plays Brad Snyder, had been unexpectedly fired from the show. The show has yet to confirm the news, but it’s been confirmed by various soap news outlets including Soap Opera Digest. The firing is shrouded in mystery. However, TV Guide Canada‘s Nelson Branco has now updated his Suds Report with what we’ll call backstage rumors of the real reason for Peck’s departure.
There is at least some silver lining for the Bratie fans. Brad & Katie (Terri Colombino) won’t be broken up per se. The role of Brad will not be recast. The character will be killed off by Jack Snyder (Michael Park), who will then embark on a spiritual expedition. Last year’s #9 on TV Guide‘s list of Soaps’ Sexiest Men, Peck joined the cast as Jack’s younger brother in early 2007.
Prior to his gig on As the World Turns, Peck was heating up fans living rooms on Days of Our Lives. Peck joined the cast of Days when Patrick Muldoon vacated the role of Austin Reed in 1995. He left the show in 2002 and returned for a one year stint in late 2005. Upon Peck and co-star Christie Clark’s (ex-Carrie, Days) terminations due to “budget cuts,” Peck’s agent Michael Bruno landed him an audition with As the World Turns, where he’s been since 2007. Peck then moved his family — sons A.J. & Roman and wife Tara (whom he’s reportedly separated from), to the East Coast upon landing the role of Brad.
What’s next for the soap stud? With the daytime roles on the East Coast rapidly drying up (see: Guiding Light’s cancellation and All My Children’s L.A. relocation), a move back west might be in order. Could Austin fit back in on the Days canvas right now? With Sami juggling more men than Liz Taylor, I’d say no — but, stranger things have happened.
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