Don Diamont is looking back at the firing that abruptly ended his long run on The Young and the Restless. The actor played Brad Carlton for more than two decades before the soap killed off his character in 2009. However, another CBS soap quickly opened a new door. Diamont now says Heather Tom quietly backed him as Bradley Bell brought him to The Bold and the Beautiful.
Heather Tom secretly reached out to showrunner Bradley Bell to secure Don Diamont’s new role
During the Aug. 18 Soapy interview, Diamont reflected on his sudden exit from The Young and the Restless. He said Bradley Bell brought him to The Bold and the Beautiful after the firing.
Meanwhile, Tom learned that her former co-star was heading to the show. Diamont recalled that she discreetly messaged Bell, “I want Don Diamont.”
The gesture still means a great deal to him. In fact, Diamont called working with Tom one of the greatest blessings of his professional life.
Diamont and Tom already knew each other from The Young and the Restless. He played Brad Carlton, while Tom portrayed Victoria Newman from 1990 to 2003.
However, their biggest collaboration came later on The Bold and the Beautiful. Diamont joined the soap as Bill Spencer Jr. in 2009. Tom plays Katie Logan, one of Bill’s most important on-screen relationships.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Brad Carlton died in a February 2009 episode. The character jumped into a frozen lake to save Noah Newman.
Earlier, Diamont said the firing felt frightening and unexpected. He was let go shortly before Thanksgiving and finished filming before the Christmas hiatus.
Still, the setback became a long-running second act. CBS currently lists Diamont as Bill Spencer and Tom as Katie Logan. Bell remains the show’s executive producer and head writer.
More recently, Diamont celebrated 40 years with CBS daytime. He continues to credit Tom for both her talent and her support behind the scenes.
For Diamont, one painful ending ultimately opened another major chapter.
TELL US: WERE YOU SURPRISED TO LEARN HEATHER TOM QUIETLY SUPPORTED DON DIAMONT AFTER HIS Y&R FIRING?
