Stephen Nichols Talks "Days" Exit, His "Hope" to Continue Steve/Kayla's Story
by Matt Webb Mitovich
June 28, 2018


Stephen Nichols has opened up about his “disappointment” with "Days of Our Lives", as news spreads about his latest exit from the role of Steve “Patch” Johnson.

In an Instagram post, Nichols explains his decision to leave over the storytelling:



For me, Days of Our Lives is home and I want to be there... I love the people, I love Steven Earl Johnson and I love what Mary Beth and I have been able to create together. I was excited to see what this new team would bring for us and for all of Salem.

I've been in this business long enough to understand the rotation of stories, and I get that we can't always be at the forefront. And despite my disappointment with the lack of story this past year, I've always worked hard and we've always tried to find the moments in whatever we've been given. I think we did that.

Whenever I see a scene or montage you guys post, I am so touched and I remember just how much story we told for so many years and how rich it was. I'm so grateful for that. And I know that there are still years of Steve and Kayla's story left to be told. I hope we get to tell that story. Your unwavering support tells me you hope that too.

Thank you and much love, Stephen

https://tvline.com/2018/06/28/stephen-nichols-leaving-days-of-our-lives-steve-patch-johnson/

I honestly don't blame him for wanting to leave. The last story he had with John poisoning him, causing him to go blind, was just stupid.

He's such an awesome actor and they're not utilizing him like they should. Instead they're making it the Abigail show.

Stephen Nichols Books "Days" Return
by Michael Ausiello
April 30, 2019


Nearly a year after his sudden and unceremonious departure from "Days of Our Lives", Stephen Nichols is returning to the NBC soap as Steve “Patch” Johnson.

The actor confirms to Soap Opera Digest that he is already back at work. “I got the call about a month ago,” he tells the mag. “I said to myself, ‘Well, I’ll be damned.'”



Nichols says credit for his return belongs to the fans, many of whom cried foul when he was cut from the cast last year.

“These good people who are so loyal and dedicated to supporting us, mean so much to me,” he enthused. “In my opinion, the most beneficial thing about social media has been connecting with the fans on a deeper level. So much so that I consider them true friends.”



Per Digest, Days has “big plans” for Steve (and presumably his on-screen “sweetness” Kayla) when he resurfaces in the fall, something Nichols would neither confirm nor deny.

“You gotta’ wait and see,” he teased.

https://tvline.com/2019/04/30/days-of-our-lives-stephen-nichols-returning-steve-patch-nbc/