I think because the moronic drivel is running out of storylines so they need to bring in some more comically sterotypical characters i.e. the cheeky freeloading northener, the crafty cockneys with a heart of gold, and lets not forget the greedy greeks. God help me.
I get the impression that there must have been a survey done where people thought there was too much emphasis on young love in soaps and so they've all swung in the oppposite direction. Bert could be perfect for big Mo! Ugh!!