About Ian`s departure from B&B

Ian Buchanan`s departure from B&B more than 2 years ago sent fans across the country running for the nearest psychiatrist`s couch complaining of deep depressions. After all, the sexy Scotsman has been one of the show`s main attractions since he was added to the cast in 1993 as Dr. James Warwick, the sensitive shrink who, after being Taylor Forrester`s mentor in the mental- health field, was mentored himself by Taylor in the art of lovemaking. "I really loved that character", Ian says fondly. "James was truly a decent human being. I quite liked playing that, because, after five-and-a-half-year of playing him, he brought out many good qualities that were in myself. They were already there...just dormant." Plus, James was a valuable counterpoint to the craziness that swirled around B&B`s irregular regulars. "A lot of great characters on that show are pretty flighty," observes Buchanan. "I think James created a nice balance."

Even so, Buchanan`s alter ego was caught up in one wicked plot after another. "Bradley Bell finally said: "We`ve run out of story for the character", says the `97 Emmy winner. "So we mutually agreed to let him evaporate."

While the doc left town in search of his crazy wife Sheila Carter and their daughter, his portrayer has had considerably less trouble finding what he is searching for.