“Patch” returning to Days of Our Lives

Six years after he departed US daytime soap Days of our Lives, Stephen Nichols will return as one-eyed rebel Steve “Patch” Johnson.

The series, currently screening its 50th season on Arena, sees him return to Salem on August 28th in the US.

Here is part of an interview he gave ahead of his return.

Did you have any concerns about returning to Days?
Well, I really didn’t know what to expect—especially with all the writer and producer changes—but it is really, really great in the studio right now. The atmosphere is so different. The show is being run by a group of people with real vision. [Executive producer] Ken Corday is very proud of what’s happening and he’s walking around the hallways so happy. He has such great love for the show and its history, and recognizes the importance of getting everything back on track for the 50th anniversary. And I am so proud to be part of that history. Everyone is so happy now, and I have been on other shows where that was not the case and you just dread going to work. Look, it will never be like it was in the ’80s. That was the golden age of soaps, even though we didn’t know it at the time. There was more money, the sets were more lavish, the production values were higher, and there was a really strong, rabid audience for our show, for all the shows. The viewers remember that time so fondly. We actors do, too. I don’t think we knew what we had back then, but I think we can get some of that back. I really do. It was an extremely magical time in my life, personally and artistically. I always tell that to Ken. Days of our Lives means so much to me. It was one of the first jobs I landed and, right from the get-go, a truly creative experience. That has never changed!

Why is Patch still wearing a patch? Surely, there’s something medical science can do for the guy.
[Laughs] I love the patch! We did take it off in the past and it just didn’t work. And everybody agreed that it didn’t work. It’s the same with his name. A lot of people prefer to call him Steve but, to me, he will always be Patch.

You can read more at TV Insider.