Love/Hate star Johnny Ward has admitted he was “absolutely devastated” at being killed off – just four episodes into the show.
The RTE actor’s character Paulie was pushed to his death by lover Siobhan – moments after she is about to accept his proposal.
Trapped Siobhan – played by Charlie Murphy – panics and throws him from her balcony after she accidentally lets slip information that would pin-point her as giving information to the Gardai.
Death: Johnny was murdered by Siobhan in moment of panic | RTE
And Johnny, who expected it was more likely Tommy would kill him, admits it wasn’t just himself that was shocked by his death – Charlie hated seeing him leave the series too.
Asked how he felt when he read the script describing Pauley’s death, Johnny said: “I was absolutely devastated because I was having such a good time in Love/Hate and had made so many new friends.
“It was always in the back of my mind that I could get killed off as Pauley was treading on thin ice but I honestly thought that Tommy was going to wake up and kill me. Not Siobhan!
“Myself and Charlie were both very surprised that I got killed off but the two of us wanted it to look as realistic and as believable as possible.
New role: Johnny will be working with Barry Keoghan | RTE
“So each day building up to the scene we would practice it over and over until both of us were happy.”
Now Johnny admits he will miss “the laughs, the banter and the craic” and “also knowing that I am no longer part of the biggest series ever to come out of this country”.
He added: “It was an amazing experience. It was one of the most exciting but also intimidating roles that I have ever had to take on.
“I was excited because I knew I was going to be on the biggest series on Irish television but also extremely intimidated as all the other cast members all knew each other from before.
Expected killer: Johnny believed Tommy would wake up and murder him | RTE
“And I was worried that I might not gel in to the Love/Hate family. However they made me feel so welcome and made me look forward to going in each day.”
The Dublin actor said he especially enjoyed his high-octaine shooting scene with Patrick, and getting to ride his beloved motorbikes.
Asked his favourite scene to film, Johnny said: “Robbing the motor bike and the shooting scene with Patrick!
“I have been driving bikes since the age of 16 but never had I played a character that used one so it was great craic – even though I almost crashed it twice!”
Passion: Johnny and Charlie got very close filming show
But Johnny isn’t entirely done with Love/Hate, as he’ll be teaming up with cat killer Barry Keoghan – another star killed off.
He said: “At the moment I am playing the part of Sully in Rebecca Daley’s newest film Mammal which stars Rachel Griffith and also Barry Keoghan from season four of Love/Hate.
“We are halfway through shooting it already and will be going off to Luxembourg for the final scenes.
“Then I swap my guns for tights and take on the role of Peter Pan in this year’s Gaiety pantomime.
“I think for any actor it is important to be versatile so I am really looking forward to getting back on to the Gaiety stage.”
