Is this the end of a soap bitch legend?

Late last week across soap fan land, SA, if you listened carefully you could hear bells tolling sorrowfully and the rustling of black mourning clothes being pulled from the closets of soap devotees nationwide.

That was when Isidingo superstar Michelle Botes devastated thousands of fans of her sassy woman-in-charge character Cherel, by revealing the undisputed bitch queen of soap would be gone from their viewing lives by around April 2007 … and yes... after eight years, almost certainly forever.

Kim Clayton-Millar hounded the busy actress down to get some answers on her decision and to ask her about the character we've all come to love to hate. It soon became clear that while it is time to move on, Michelle could be Cherel's greatest fan and seems likely to miss her as much as this unforgettable character's supporters.

Why have you decided to leave now?

I just need a change, to shift direction.

And now you're joining Binnelanders (M-Net's drama series), when will you begin shooting and when is your first on-screen appearance in the show?

I don't know when I will start shooting or my first on-screen date yet.

As you are so obviously looking for a change in the roles you now take on, will the character you play in Binnelanders differ hugely to Cherel?

(Clearly in naughty mode) What has happened to the little mysteries in life? Let's wait and see. (While they won't divulge the details of the role, M-Net has confirmed a character is being especially written for Michelle and that she will probably only be seen in the show around the middle of 2007).

While you are still playing her, let's talk a bit about Cherel, the character you have lived inside of for almost a decade. What traits do you believe a character has to have to earn the label "real bitch"?

A passion for life, for money, a desire to be unique and a good knowledge of the human psyche.

As an actress, what do you have do to enable yourself to take on the persona of the vicious, bordering-on-evil and often ruthless character Cherel so often is?

I just see her as a survivor; moulded and living in a vicious, ruthless world. Cherel could stand out anywhere in the world, amongst anyone, plus there is way more to her than simply being boxed in as a "bitch".

How much of the Cherel viewers see today is down to you making the character your own - and how much is she the creation of the writers - and you, the actress, just playing her as written?

The writers created Cherel; I loved her and now we are free of each other - but they are the ones who formed this wonderful woman!

If you could have had a hand in the writing of how Cherel would turn out would you have made her a nicer person - someone who was just misunderstood?

I admire Cherel for giving life a go, and making it, given her circumstances - the incest, leaving home at just 14 years old, etc - and still finding joy and a reason to live. Not many people can do that and she enjoys her pleasures with abandon.

Did you ever base your performance as Cherel on any power-hungry, nasty and ambitious woman you knew or encountered in the real world?

Yes, watching politicians can be useful, and fun.

The hardest part of playing Cherel?

Constantly learning lines.

The nicest part of playing Cherel?

Having amazing co-actors to work with.

Would you be friends with someone like Cherel in the real world and if yes, why?

Yes! She truly dances to her own drum; she's funny, enjoys herself, life and other people and she's rich!