Days Of Our Lives
Billy Flynn Takes His Final Bow on ‘Days of our Lives,’ as Chad DiMera Says Heart-Tugging Goodbyes
If you haven’t watched the Tuesday, February 17 episode of Days of our Lives yet, grab your hankies! In what was Billy Flynn’s last performance in the role of Chad DiMera, the three-time Daytime Emmy nominated actor left it all out on the table. Flynn gave viewers some of the most heartfelt goodbyes we have seen on the soaps when an actor is making a final exit.
While Billy left Days of our Lives last March to join the cast of The Young and the Restless as the recast Cane Ashby, with DAYS tape to streaming timeline, today in story, Chad left Salem with his children, Thomas (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte (Autumn Gendron). The three are heading to Arizona for awhile to stay with Will and Sonny. The exit provided the opportunity for there to be a short break, before Conner Floyd assumes the role come April 26 on your screens.
In a recap of Billy Flynn’s last Days of our Lives episode, it was if each goodbye and moment tugged on your heart strings more than the previous one. It also illustrated what a huge loss this was for the long-running soap opera. For those who went on the ride with Flynn as Chad, it was also an emotional day. The episode also marked the last one for Cary Christopher who was wonderful in the role of Thomas DiMera as well as Autumn Gendron as Charlotte. Both roles have been recast.
Courtesy/Peacock
First, Chad visits Abigail’s gravesite. He tells his beloved that their kids are growing, and that he is really trying to do right by them. He tells Abigail, “I still miss you every single day.” He then informs her he is leaving Salem with the kids for awhile and that he promises to take a piece of her with him whereever he goes. As this was Valentine’s Day in Salem, Chad puts a rose on Abigail’s tombstone and tells her, “Goodbye for now!” HANKIES.
When Chad returns to Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes), he sees his son, Thomas sitting alone. In a very touching scene, and the last one between Cary Christopher and Billy Flynn as father and son, they talk about being sad thinking about Abigail. Remembering the candied Valentine’s hearts, Abigail used to give Thomas, Chad has a box in his pocket that he gives to his son. HANKIES.
Julie comes into the living room and Thomas goes to finish packing, leaving Chad with Julie, in what will be the final scenes between Susan Seaforth Hayes and Billy Flynn. In that moment, if you watch Billy, it all seemed so real, with tears welling up in Chad’s eyes, he has to say goodbye to Julie, who is concerned she will never see him again, They discuss how they both helped each other through their grief of losing Doug and Abigail. Chad thanks Julie for opening her home to him and the children as the two hug. HANKIES
Courtesy/Peacock
Later, Jack (Matthew Ashford) and Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) arrive back to the Horton house. Chad is there and while the three had quite the contentious time over the entire Cat Greene is Abigail and its upshot and aftermath, they seem to reconcile and come to a place of peace. Jack even pipes up that they may have made Chad’s life miserable this past year but it all ended up alright.
When Thomas and Charlotte show back up, and Chad tells them it’s time for bed, they want Julie to read a chapter (or two) from Alice In Wonderland to them. So they exit up the stairs. Next, Jennifer and Jack each hug it out with Chad. Later alone, Chad takes one last look around the living room and stops at his wedding photo with Abigail and begins to cry. Taking one final look around, Chad turns off the light and heads upstairs. HANKIES. We fade to black.
All of the scenes were poignant, beautifully played, and was that often fine line we see when the performance is mixed with the reality. Flynn cut his teeth on the soaps as an actor on Days of our Lives during his 12-year run as Chad.
Courtesy/Peacock
Before he closed the page on his run, Flynn spoke to TV Insider, about his emotions of taping his last DAYS episodes. “The stuff that’s airing now is what I remember fondly because they are genuine goodbyes. I had one with Dan Feurriegel (EJ), Susan Hayes, and I loved being able to do the story with Missy and Matt.”
One of Flynn’s takeaways from his experience on Days of our Lives was the kudos he received along the way from executive producer, Ken Corday. “I remember after I was there for a period of time, right around the time of maybe the Necktie Killer storyline, he came in one day and he says, ‘What’s up, GB?’” Flynn relays. “And I was like, ‘GB?’ and he goes, ‘Game Ball. You’re the one we can always give the game ball to.’ It meant a lot, and he called me ‘Game Ball’ until the very end. He’s lovely, and his family is lovely, and what an honor to be a part of that legacy.”
So, what did you think of Billy Flynn’s final episode as Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives? Did you reach for the hankies? Share your thoughts via the comment section below and kudos to Billy fo a job well-done for over a decade.
He sold the material and you could tell it was more Billy Flynn saying goodbye than Chad DiMera.
I sobbed. Billy Flynn will be so missed. I wanted to see more of him with Martha Madison.
He was a part of the best of DAYS. He is a talented actor and I hope Y&R figures out what to do with him.
It was very sweet. I could tell the goodbyes were genuine. And the scene with Jack and Jen was a nice resolution. (Other than wardrobes choice to dress Missy in a tablecloth)
Yes! What was Jennifer wearing????
Bye Billy, hate to see you go but I am following you to Y&R!! I AM NOT LEAVING YOU BEHIND!
Goodbye Billy. I am still trying to vibe with his Cane. It’s hard.
Not familiar with him at all but why in the world would you leave a role which you were very popular and loved for a role where you are not even close to being fit for ? Ten years too young not a Australian accent total complete madness.
He’s laughing all the way to the bank. Y&R has a much higher budget and was likely a big pay jump for Flynn.
I will missed Him so much on Days. But I love him on the Y&R, I get to see one off my favorite man/ actor handsome face on another well know day time soap. Love seeing him shine. Keep it up Billy Flynn.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘The View’, ‘Extra’ and ‘Entertainment Tonight’ to Reveal Major Categories in Early Nominations Rollout
As has been standard over the last several years, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, will get a early start on revealing the nominations for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, next Monday July 13 and into the official nomination release today on Tuesday, July 14.
First up on Monday, July 13, Entertainment Tonight will announce the nominees in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category and the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
Entertainment Tonight airs in New York at 7:00pm ET (WCBS-TV) and in Los Angeles – 7:30pm PT (KCBS-TV), you can also check out local listings in your area here.
Next up, also on Monday, July 13, Extra will reveal the nominations in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Extra airs on New York at 7:00pm ET (WNYW) and in Los Angeles – 7:00pm PT (KTTV). Of note: some East Coast affiliates begin airing at 4:00pm ET. To check your local listings for when Extra airs in your market, click here.
Then, its on to the official 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations day on Tuesday, July 14 which will kick-off with the ladies of ABC’s The View revealing the nominee in the categories of Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, Outstanding Entertainment News Series, and Outstanding Daytime Personality – Daily.
The View airs in New York City and the east coast market – 11:00am ET, while on the West Coast and Los Angeles – 10:00am PT.
After that, on Tuesday, July 14, all eyes will be on the lookout for the announcement of all the remaining categories via the NATAS social channels beginning at 12pm noon ET/9am PT.
You will be able find the nominations at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Daytime Emmys website: TheEmmys.tv/Daytime Instagram: Instagram.com/theemmys.tv and on X: X.com/TheEmmys .
Michael Fairman TV will also reveal the full list of nominations when they become available.
So, what do you think about Entertainment Tonight, Extra and The View set to reveal nominations in Lead Actor, Actress, Daytime Drama, and key talk show categories ahead of the full list of nominees? Weigh-in via the comment section, and let us know who you think will be announced as a nominee in the categories listed above.
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