The message boards of several soap sites are ablaze with the rumor that recently departed As The World Turns actor Scott Bryce (ex-Craig) is going over to ATWT's sister soap Guiding Light as a recast for Philip Spaulding.

This possible turn of events could prove highly topical, considering Bryce would be replacing wildly popular fan favorite Grant Aleksander as the Spaulding scion. Bryce, while popular on ATWT during his initial run as Craig Montgomery in the 80's, didn't seem to strike a cord with newer fans during his most recent stint. Possibly due to Hunt Block's recent popularity in the role opposite Cady McClain's Rosanna and Maura West's Carly. 

As GL fans know, Philip Spaulding was "killed off" by his own father Alan (Ron Raines) following the character being written into the corner after having a nervous breakdown and planning to escape from Springfield with all of his children from his various wives.

The show later revealed that Philip hadn't died and the character was spirited off to a mental hospital offscreen. However he managed to escape and contact his beloved uncle Ross Marler ( Jerry Ver Dorn, now Clint, OLTL) who died in a plane crash en route to rescuing Philip from himself. None of these actions have endeared the once noble character to GL fans, however a return of Philip has always been out there looming on the Springfield horizon. 

Currently the character is sending his ex-wife Beth (Beth Chamberlain) cryptic text messages offscreen and recently posted bail for Beth's current husband Rick Bauer (Michael O' Leary), who also happens to be Philip's oldest friend. Philip's possible return also resulted in another of his exes-a dying Olivia (Crystal Chappell)-bonding with Philip's brother Gus (soon-to-be exiting Ricky Paull Golden) who has promised to protect Olivia and Philip's daughter Emma from the madman once Olivia dies. 

All of this definitely gives the Bryce rumor legs, especially since Grant Aleksander, now a director at ATWT, has reportedly been approached several times about reprising the role, but has continued to turn the offers down. We'll keep you posted as the story develops.