Gus Smith

Gus Smith
Portrayed by	Mohammed George
Duration	2002–08
First appearance	28 May 2002
Last appearance	1 May 2008
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	John Yorke
In-universe information Occupation Road sweeper Mother Pearl Smith Brothers Juley Smith Aunts Opal Smith

Augustus "Gus" Smith is a fictional character from the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Mohammed George. He made his first appearance on 28 May 2002. It was announced on 18 January 2008 that Gus would leave the show later in 2008. This was a mutual decision between George and the producers. Gus was a lesser-used character in EastEnders; usually being used as support for other storylines rather than being given his own. However he was given a more central role in storylines in the month leading up to his exit.

Development

Discussing his character's exit storyline from the soap, George has commented: "Gus is wishing he'd never put himself in the position of sharing a flat with this madman (Sean Slater). At this point, he's beside himself. Sean's crazy and looking for a target, and there's only one way this situation can end - Gus is convinced that Sean's going to do him in. [...] He goes so far as to barricade himself inside the flat - I think he loses it a bit, to be honest. Gus hasn't really got any friends left in the Square, and all he wants is for somebody to rescue him and take him away from this awful situation." The reappearance of the character's ex-girlfriend Keisha proves conflicting for Gus. "I think Gus is the type of guy who desperately wants to settle down with the girl of his dreams. It's very hard for him when he sees Keisha, because she hurt him so badly with Sean, and that pain hasn't gone away. But Gus is a very forgiving person, so who nows what will happen..."

Of his departure, George has said: "I've always been an EastEnders fan, so it has been an honour and pleasure being in the show. And I'm thankful that Gus wasn't overused on screen, as it means that I haven't been typecast I definitely feel ready to step into the shoes of a new character."

Storylines

Gus first arrived in Walford in May 2002, working for a bed company. It was here that he met Sonia Jackson. Gus fell in love with Sonia, and after she broke up with her boyfriend Jamie Mitchell, they got together. When she and Jamie realised they still had feelings for each other, she broke up with Gus and got back with Jamie.

In July, Gus was joined in Walford by his troublesome brother Juley, taking over as local road sweeper, and was given Wellard the dog when his friend Robbie Jackson left London for India.

When friends Martin and Vicki Fowler broke into the Minute Mart, Gus investigated, was caught red handed by police and was left to take the blame. In December 2003, Gus took a trip in a minibus to Scotland with Zoe Slater, Kelly Taylor, Mickey Miller, Spencer Moon, Sonia, Martin, Vicki, Tariq Larousi and Ronny and Kareena Ferreira. When the bus crashed on a moor, nearly killing Zoe, Gus, aided by Wellard, managed to find help for his stranded friends.

In 2004, Gus disposed of a handgun he found in Juley's bag. Juley's involvement in crime, including the theft of some charity money, led to his departure from Walford in April 2005, though he returned in September for a trip to France with Gus, Mickey, Garry Hobbs and Minty Peterson. While in France, Gus met Mickey's sister and father Dawn and Mike Swann. Mike exposed Juley as a con man, despite Juley's claims that he was a reformed character. Gus persuaded Juley to return to Walford permanently to turn over a new leaf.

In late 2005, Wellard bit Ian Beale, who decided he wanted the dog put down. Wellard was imprisoned impending a trial, and the newly-arrived Deano Wicks (aided by Dawn) started a campaign to free Wellard, selling t-shirts emblazoned with 'WOOF' (Walford One Owed Freedom) on Alfie Moon's old stall, despite warnings from market inspector Marie Matthews. Wellard was freed on 12 January 2006, after Ian's partner Jane Collins and children Peter and Lucy gave character witness statements.

When Juley mugged his ex-girlfriend Ruby Allen, Jake Moon threatened to report Juley to the police. Gus helped Juley escape Walford, despite being disgusted at Juley's actions, by stalling Jake and letting Juley out of his back door. Gus was briefly reunited with Sonia when she broke up with girlfriend Naomi Julien, but left him once again for Martin.

In April 2008, Gus met a girl called Keisha who he fell for, but caught her in bed with Sean Slater, his lodger who had failed to pay rent for two months. Sean convinced Keisha that Gus had numerous women in his life, fooling Keisha into thinking he was a womaniser. After announcing what Sean did to everyone in the Queen Vic, including Sean's girlfriend Roxy Mitchell, Gus attempted to evict Sean, but was kicked out of his own flat, with Sean threatening to punish him and kill him if he didn't pay the rent, and keeping Wellard. Sean later appeared to want to make amends with Gus, but tricked him into believing he had killed and eaten his dog. On April 28, he was tied to a chair and was about to be given a beating from Sean when Stacey Branning walked through the door.

Having been reunited with Keisha, Gus left on May 1 to travel with her band. However, he finally got his revenge on Sean, by exposing him as a cocaine dealer. This storyline had a delicious twist - Gus's poem 'I'm Just a Sausage' had been mentioned briefly in the weeks leading up to Gus's exit. Just as Gus revealed Sean's secret, he was sitting down to eat the Slater family meal 'Sausage Surprise'. Gus then left Walford.

• Like Anthony Trueman, a nice character, but one of the biggest wimps in soap opera history.

External links

• Gus Smith at BBC Online