Joe di Marco

] [cite news|url= http://www.northernmedia.org/?mod=news&pageid=38&id=46|title=BBC 'supremo' John Yorke hits the Sage|publisher=northernmedia.org|accessdate=2007-10-21] The di Marcos were reportedly "slaughtered because of a shortage of ideas for what to do with them." However, a spokesperson at the time commented: "These changes…are just part of [John Yorke's] plans to revamp the series and give it a new look." [cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/664219.stm|title=Axe falls on five EastEnders
publisher="BBC" |accessdate=2007-10-21] The cuts paved the way for the arrival of the "hugely popular" Slater family. [cite news|url= http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,682635,00.html|title=EastEnders producer steps up|publisher="The Guardian" |accessdate=2007-10-21] Beppe and Joe remained until 2002, when they were also axed. [cite news|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20020217/ai_n12835557|title=Interview Michael Greco: I'm gutted at being axed|publisher="Sunday Mirror" |accessdate=2007-10-21] The characters departed in June, two months earlier than contracted. This was due to Beppe's actor Michael Greco, who requested to be released early from his contract because he was angry at being axed. Scripts were rapidly turned around and the characters were given a hasty exit. [cite news|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article148309.ece|title=EastEnder Beppe out early|publisher="The Sun" |accessdate=2007-10-21] The boy who played Joe, Jake Kyprianou, reportedly gave up acting after leaving the role. The di Marcos are now deemed as something of a failure for "EastEnders".

torylines

Joe di Marco was the son of Beppe and Sandra di Marco. Sandra abandoned Joe when he was young due to Beppe's interfering family. Joe was raised by his father, his grandmother Rosa and his great grandmother Luisa.

Sandra came back into Joe's life in 2000. He bonded with his mother, and despite initial hostilities Beppe also welcomed Sandra back into his life. [cite news|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000326/ai_n14500822|title=WasSandra savaged by that badger called Rosa?|publisher="Sunday Mirror" |accessdate=2007-10-21] However it transpired that Sandra was only using Beppe to get access to Joe and she later reconciled with her former lover, Jack Robins. She and Jack planned to abscond with Joe, however Beppe caught her in the act. Beppe and Sandra were then involved in a custody battle for Joe. The constant rowing had a negative effect on Joe and he found it difficult to choose between his warring parents. This culminated in him getting hit by a car when he disobeyed his father and ran across the road to be with his mother. Joe was not seriously hurt, but the accident made his parents rethink their behaviour. Beppe eventually allowed Sandra visitation rights and Joe remained with his father.

Beppe's serial womanising had a negative effect on Joe in 2001 when he walked in on his father being seduced by his teacher, Kay Bradshaw. Joe was so unsettled that he refused to go to school the following day. In 2002, Joe left with his father to live in Leicester following Rosa's death.

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