The actor spoke with Gloria Hilard recently about his character's departure...and his dreams

Clips of Steve's "tunnel to heaven dream" are shown

Voice Over: "As most Days of our Lives fans are now well aware, before leaving the soap on which he spent five seasons, Steve Nichols, Patch, spent a little time in the spiritual world.."

SN: "They came to me and said, 'Well it may seem weird to you but  you're going to be in this place between life and death'

SN: "And I said , 'Thats not weird.' I mean I believe in that stuff, I believe that stuff happens. "

SN: "So it was funny that they thought I would react in a weird way to that. "

Voice Over: "Perhaps the producers of the show were not aware that prior to becoming an actor,  Steve Nichols had another calling"

SN: "When I came to Los Angeles, I came here to become a monk in the self realization fellowship, as a matter of fact. And I lived like a monk for 3 years..."

SN: "And when I decided I wasn't going to be a monk, I didnt know what to do with myself and I started studying music again and writing some songs..."

Voice Over: "Eventually he would end up on the stage of a community theatre"

SN: "And really was taken by the feeling that I got..the feedback from the audience, and I just knew I was in the right place and I was doing the right thing."

Voice Over: " On Days of our Lives, he earned a place as one of daytime's most popular stars..."

Voice Over: "..But then he knew it was time to try something else.."

Voice Over: "Fans will have a chance see the actor in an upcoming episode of Matlock."

Voice Over: "..And if they miss the patch, well initially, so did the actor."

SN: "And I realized that I had this actual physical thing happening here where I felt that I had to do this..."

SN: "..reach up and pull this thing down."

SN: "But of course this character didn't have a patch." (laughs) Voice Over: "Now the soaps' producers did leave the door open for the actor to return, but Nichols believes there is life after daytime..."

SN: I'd like to do a show that can uplift people and address social issues and do some good.." Voice Over: "Lest you forget this former hearthrob of daytime television was once a monk"