It had become abundantly clear that roomies Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) and PCPD detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) seem destined towards a romance on General Hospital.

In fact, to get Lucas all hot and bothered (although he does fully let on), during the Friday, October 16 episode, the good doctor helps Joe pick out something less stuffy to wear to a bar to meet people.

However, the moment is met with Joe taking off his shirt in front of Lucas and doing a quick change from sport coat and button down shirt to a more relaxed casual button down shirt. In fact, the ABC soap opera even called out the moment as their clip of the day (see below).

Courtesy/ABC

MAJOR STORY TEASE FOR JOE

Bennett spoke with OUT in a new feature about what may be on the horizon for the by-the-book Joe and the moral Lucas, and how he learned that once the producers and writers on a soap script in a shirtless scene, if it goes over well, said actor, can expect many more in the months to come!

“I’m so excited for the audience to see where my character goes on General Hospital. It’s going to be monumental and I think people are going to love it,” teased Bennett. “I was shirtless in an episode and so petrified to shoot it,” he added. “I wanted to look my best and feel good. I really worked hard to get my body to a good place and I did it.”

STAYING CAMERA READY

However as Jonathan points out, now he is finding himself half-naked in upcoming scenes as officer Joe! “I think I shot myself in the foot! Now that I did it once and it turned out well, every few weeks I read a script and I’m coming out of the shower, changing my shirt, or in the bathtub,” revealed Jonathan.

So, how does he keep camera ready? “I’m in the gym more, I have a better diet,” pointed out Bennett. “You have to stay healthy if you’re going to be shirtless every few weeks! I’m gay, an only child, and an actor. Of course I love the attention!”

While Bennett’s Port Charles story is going to reveal itself in the coming months, you can also see Jonathan back as the host of The Food Network’s Halloween Wars 16th season which concludes on Sunday, October 25.

Now below. check out the scene in question from Friday’s GH entitled, “Lose the Shirt.”

Weigh-in: What do you think will be “monumental” that Jonathan has teased that viewers will find out about Joe in the coming weeks? Are you feeling the on-screen chemistry between Joe and Lucas? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

The Friday, October 16 episode of General Hospital marked the on-screen debut of the mysterious Jude, played by primetime vet and Australian-born Wil Traval.

While not much has been revealed just yet, Traval spoke to TV Insider in his first conversation since joining the iconic ABC soap opera in a new interview out today.

As GH fans witnessed, Jude was introduced in scenes at a bar with Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and it would seem this may be her new leading man after things went south between Britt and Jason (Steve Burton). Traval said of working with the Daytime Emmy-winning Thiebaud, “I can’t speak more highly of her. I think she’s fantastic. It’s the biggest delight in my life to be working with her.”

Courtesy/ABC

FROM BROKEN BACK TO PORT CHARLES

As it turns out, Wil was supposed to be on board for a very short visit to Port Charles. However, as he revealed, things didn’t go the way he planned and his stay got extended!

“Originally, it was going to be a short guest role, I believe, and at the end of the week I got a call saying they might want to offer me a contract on the show, which was a real surprise and delight.” the actors shared.  “And the rest is history from there.”

The road to General Hospital was not an easy one in some other respects. Traval was in the middle of recovering from a car accident that broke his back when he got the call to submit a self-tape for the role of the mysterious stranger back in June. Suddenly, he found himself getting a callback which in turn led to a chemistry read with Kelly Thiebaud.

WHO IS JUDE?

In the week to come, General Hospital viewers will learn Jude’s connections to the residents of Port Charles and his true identity.

With an Australian contingent on the canvas, and its tentacles throughout GH history including: Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer); Robert Scorpio (the late Tristan Rogers); and Josslyn’s father Jax (last played by Ingo Rademacher), and Jerry Jacks (last played by Sebastian Roche), one would think Jude HAS to be tied to these characters from down under, or does he?

So, what did you think of Wil Traval’s on-screen debut as Jude? Who do you think he will be revealed to be connected to? Do you think Jude will make a solid leading man for Kelly Thiebaud’s Britt Westbourne in story? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

Beyond the Gates is continuing to bring special guest stars to the DMV and Fairmont Crest. Next week, viewers can be on the lookout for none other than singer/songwriter and reality-star, Kandi Burruss and host/actress/author and cook, Tabitha Brown to make appearances and in new roles!

Burruss is taking on the role of Kalista Kilroy, while Tabitha Brown arrives on the scene as Tia Allen. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed this week that both of their names were revealed in the CBS soap opera’s closing credits.

Best known as founding member of the multi-platinum R&B vocal group Xscape and a prominent songwriter in the music industry Kandi Burruss spent fifteen seasons on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, won season three of The Masked Singer, starred in Showtime’s The Chi, and received a Tony Award nomination as a producer for Broadway’s The Piano Lesson.

REALITY STARS IN FAIRMONT CREST

The CBS soap is already known for featuring ‘Real Housewives’ franchise stars who happened to show up at Fairmont Crest and mix it up with the Dupress and Richardson clans. Previously, The Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger made an appearance followed by Gizelle Bryant and Dr. Wendy Osefo.

Tabitha Brown is known by millions on social media as “America’s Mom.” She is the host of Food Network’s plant-based cooking competition It’s CompliPlated and is an Emmy winner for her YouTube series Tab Time.

Look for the two to first appear on the Thursday October 22 episode of Beyond the Gates where according to the series official spoilers on the episode, The family celebrates Dani’s life (Karla Mosley) and career, but a surprise guest brings old wounds to the surface, leaving Naomi (Arielle Prepetit), Chelsea (RhoniRoseMantilla), and Andre (Sean Freeman) to deal with the fallout.

You can check out the official BTG video preview for the action next week featuring Burruss and Brown in action below.

So, what do you think about Beyond the Gates continuing to bring some of the most notable reality and music stars to their storylines? Share your thoughts via the comment section.