1.
Sam Mitchell (EastEnders)
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Samantha Margaret Priscilla Sam Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. The third member of the Mitchell family to be introduced, Sam enters as a 15-year-old school girl in July 1990, Westbrook quit in 1993, but Sam was reintroduced from 1995–1996 and from 1999–2000. In both her 1996 and 2000 exits, Sam was written out earlier than the producers intended due to controversies surrounding Westbrook. In 2002, the character was reintroduced for a fourth time, Medcalf left the role in 2005. In an interview with Paul OGrady, Medcalf said she would never say never to a comeback, however, when executive producer Diederick Santer decided to reintroduce the character for a brief stint in 2009, he opted to bring Westbrook back. Portrayed as headstrong, flirty and manipulative, early storylines featuring Sam concentrate on her teen elopement to the character Ricky Butcher and she goes on to feature in storylines about topless modelling, various family crises, relationships, feuds, and a short-lived marriage to Andy Hunter. Her exit storyline in 2005 is the culmination of a storyline that sees the character wrongly imprisoned for Den Watts murder. In the on-screen events, Sam is cleared of murder and released and her return in 2010 and 2016 sees her struggle with motherhood after giving birth to Jacks baby. Sam is the youngest child and only daughter of Peggy and Eric Mitchell, Eric died when Sam was ten and she was subsequently on the receiving end of her brothers, Phil and Grants, heavy-handed paternalism. Fifteen-year-old Sam follows her brothers to Walford in July 1990, unhappy at home because she dislikes her mothers boyfriend and she becomes friends with Hattie Tavernier and dates Ricky Butcher. Sams family disapproves of the relationship, so Ricky and Sam decide to elope to Gretna Green in 1991, Peggy admits defeat and attends their more formal blessing in Walford a month later. This causes problems in Ricky and Sams relationship, which is already under strain as Ricky is unable to provide Sam with the lifestyle she desires. After just a year of marriage, Sam grows bored and begins lusting after a playboy named Clive whom she meets at a New Years Eve party with her friend Mandy Salter. After having an affair, Sam thinks she has fallen in love with Clive. Realising that her marriage with Ricky is over, Sam leaves her husband, Sam returns in 1995, after her brothers, on a boys holiday in Spain, catch her in bed with David Wicks, and force her to return. Sam had tried to build herself a career as a model, back in Walford Sam tries to continue her fling with David and when this goes nowhere she tries to come between Ricky and his girlfriend, Bianca Jackson. Initially Ricky thinks he still has feelings for Sam, but eventually realises he is better off with Bianca, however Sam wont take no for an answer and purposefully kisses an innocent Ricky in front of Bianca, causing them to split. Despite this, Ricky will not reconsider getting back with Sam, Sam is forced to admit defeat
2.
BBC
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The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. It is headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, the BBC is the worlds oldest national broadcasting organisation and the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees. It employs over 20,950 staff in total,16,672 of whom are in public sector broadcasting, the total number of staff is 35,402 when part-time, flexible, and fixed contract staff are included. The BBC is established under a Royal Charter and operates under its Agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The fee is set by the British Government, agreed by Parliament, and used to fund the BBCs radio, TV, britains first live public broadcast from the Marconi factory in Chelmsford took place in June 1920. It was sponsored by the Daily Mails Lord Northcliffe and featured the famous Australian Soprano Dame Nellie Melba, the Melba broadcast caught the peoples imagination and marked a turning point in the British publics attitude to radio. However, this public enthusiasm was not shared in official circles where such broadcasts were held to interfere with important military and civil communications. By late 1920, pressure from these quarters and uneasiness among the staff of the licensing authority, the General Post Office, was sufficient to lead to a ban on further Chelmsford broadcasts. But by 1922, the GPO had received nearly 100 broadcast licence requests, John Reith, a Scottish Calvinist, was appointed its General Manager in December 1922 a few weeks after the company made its first official broadcast. The company was to be financed by a royalty on the sale of BBC wireless receiving sets from approved manufacturers, to this day, the BBC aims to follow the Reithian directive to inform, educate and entertain. The financial arrangements soon proved inadequate, set sales were disappointing as amateurs made their own receivers and listeners bought rival unlicensed sets. By mid-1923, discussions between the GPO and the BBC had become deadlocked and the Postmaster-General commissioned a review of broadcasting by the Sykes Committee and this was to be followed by a simple 10 shillings licence fee with no royalty once the wireless manufactures protection expired. The BBCs broadcasting monopoly was made explicit for the duration of its current broadcast licence, the BBC was also banned from presenting news bulletins before 19.00, and required to source all news from external wire services. Mid-1925 found the future of broadcasting under further consideration, this time by the Crawford committee, by now the BBC under Reiths leadership had forged a consensus favouring a continuation of the unified broadcasting service, but more money was still required to finance rapid expansion. Wireless manufacturers were anxious to exit the loss making consortium with Reith keen that the BBC be seen as a service rather than a commercial enterprise. The recommendations of the Crawford Committee were published in March the following year and were still under consideration by the GPO when the 1926 general strike broke out in May. The strike temporarily interrupted newspaper production and with restrictions on news bulletins waived the BBC suddenly became the source of news for the duration of the crisis. The crisis placed the BBC in a delicate position, the Government was divided on how to handle the BBC but ended up trusting Reith, whose opposition to the strike mirrored the PMs own
3.
Soap opera
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A soap opera, soap, or soapie, is a serial drama on television or radio that examines the lives of many characters, usually focusing on emotional relationships to the point of melodrama. The term soap opera originated from such dramas being typically sponsored by soap manufacturers in the past, the first serial considered to be a soap opera was Painted Dreams, which debuted on October 20,1930 on Chicago radio station WGN. The first nationally broadcast radio soap opera was Clara, Lu, and Em, a crucial element that defines the soap opera is the open-ended serial nature of the narrative, with stories spanning several episodes. One of the features that makes a television program a soap opera. While Spanish language telenovelas are sometimes called soap operas, telenovelas have conflicts that get resolved, but with soap operas each episode ends with a promise that the storyline is to be continued in another episode. You spend more time even with the characters, the apparent villains grow less apparently villainous. Soap opera storylines run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments, each episode may feature some of the shows current storylines, but not always all of them. Soap operas rarely bring all the current storylines to a conclusion at the same time, when one storyline ends, there are several other story threads at differing stages of development. Soap opera episodes typically end on some sort of cliffhanger, evening soap operas and those that air at a rate of one episode per week are more likely to feature the entire cast in each episode, and to represent all current storylines in each episode. Evening soap operas and serials that run for only part of the year tend to bring things to a dramatic end-of-season cliffhanger, the article explained that at that time, many prime time series lost money, while daytime serials earned profits several times more than their production costs. Fitting in with these characteristics, most soap operas follow the lives of a group of characters who live or work in a particular place, the storylines follow the day-to-day activities and personal relationships of these characters. These elements may be found across the gamut of soap operas, Due to the prominence of English-language television, most soap-operas are completely English. In many soap operas, in particular daytime serials in the US, Soap operas from the United Kingdom and Australia tend to focus on more everyday characters and situations, and are frequently set in working class environments. Many of the soaps produced in two countries explore social realist storylines such as family discord, marriage breakdown or financial problems. This diverges from US soap operas where such comedy is rare, UK soap operas frequently make a claim to presenting reality or purport to have a realistic style. Romance, secret relationships, extramarital affairs, and genuine hate have been the basis for many soap opera storylines, in US daytime serials, the most popular soap opera characters, and the most popular storylines, often involved a romance of the sort presented in paperback romance novels. Crimes such as kidnapping, rape, and even murder may go unpunished if the perpetrator is to be retained in the ongoing story, Australian and UK soap operas also feature a significant proportion of romance storylines. In Russia, most popular serials explore the romantic quality of criminal and/or oligarch life, in soap opera storylines, previously unknown children, siblings and twins of established characters often emerge to upset and reinvigorate the set of relationships examined by the series
4.
EastEnders
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EastEnders is a long running British soap opera created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since 1985. Set in the East End of London in the fictional Bough of Walford the programme follows the stories of local residents, the series was initially screened as two 30-minute episodes per week however since 2001, episodes have been broadcast every day apart from Wednesdays and weekends. Same-day repeats and omnibus editions of the series were previously shown on BBC Three however as of 2016 these are broadcast on UK-based TV channel W. They gave the job of creating this new soap to script writer Tony Holland and producer Julia Smith and they created twenty-four original characters for the show, based upon Hollands own family, and people they remembered from their own experiences in the East End. Granada Television gave Smith unrestricted access to the Coronation Street production for a month so that she could get a sense how a continuing drama was produced and they cast actors for their characters, and began to film the show at BBC Elstree Centre in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Julia Smith thought Eastenders looked ugly written down, and capitalised the second e, the central focus of EastEnders is the fictional Victorian square Albert Square in the fictional London Borough of Walford. In the shows narrative, Albert Square is a 19th-century street, named after Prince Albert, thus, central to Albert Square is The Queen Victoria Public House. Fans have tried to establish the location Walford would have within London if it were real, Walford has the postal district of E20. The postcode district was selected as if it were part of the actual E postcode area covers much of east London although the next unused postcode district in the area was. In 1917 the current postal districts in London were assigned according to the name of the main sorting office for each district. If Walford had been assigned in this scheme it would have been given E17, in March 2011, Royal Mail allocated the E20 postal district to the 2012 Olympic Park. The postal district in EastEnders was entirely fictional up to that point, the shows creators opted for E20 instead of E19 as it was thought to sound better. In September 2011 the postal code for Albert Square was revealed in an episode as E20 6PQ, there is also a market close to Fassett Square at Ridley Road. The postcode for the area, E8, was one of the titles for the series. The name Walford is both a street in Dalston where Tony Holland lived and a blend of Walthamstow and Stratford—the areas of Greater London where the creators were born, other parts of the Square and set interiors are based on other locations. The fictional local newspaper, the Walford Gazette, in local news events such as the arrests or murders of characters appear. EastEnders is built around the idea of relationships and strong families and this theme encompasses the whole Square, making the entire community a family of sorts, prey to upsets and conflict, but pulling together in times of trouble. Co-creator Tony Holland was from a large East End family, Pauline and Petes mother was the domineering Lou Beale, who lived with Pauline and her family
5.
The Firm (EastEnders)
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The Firm is a fictional gangland organisation in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The Firm owns Strokes wine bar, a front for illegal gambling and it is thought by Mantel that Den, a well-known local publican, will not attract any suspicion to the illegal goings-on at the bar. The Firm is also responsible for a protection racket involving the rival, The Dagmar. When Den wants revenge on Willmot-Brown for raping Kathy Beale, he persuades The Firms Brad Williams to burn the place to the ground and this enrages The Firms bosses, as it draws attention to the illegal gambling going on at Strokes. Den is forced to take the blame for the fire at The Dagmar, the Firm mistakenly believe that Den has informed on them to the police while in prison, and so want him out of the way permanently. They capture him on the way to his trial with the intention of killing him, Den, with Brads help, manages to escape, but is tracked down to the canal by Mantel. A Firm hitman shoots Den with a gun hidden in a bunch of daffodils, the Firm later discover this, and Vinnicombe is killed and his body is dumped in the canal to look like Dens. Vinnicombes body is recovered and, owing to some lazy police work. When Den survived the attempt on his life, Dalton had Vinnicombe murdered, Dalton had taken a young Dennis Rickman under his wing, unaware that Dennis is the son Den Watts never knew he had. Dennis became a professional hardman, and it is in this capacity that he landed himself a prison sentence for grievous bodily harm, Dalton wants Dennis dead, and so orders Phil Mitchell to kill him. Dennis turns the tables on Phil, and persuades him to let him kill Dalton, Phil agrees, and Dennis confronts Dalton, who admits that it was he who had ordered for Den Watts to be killed. Dennis reveals the truth about his parentage to Dalton, before shooting him, daltons last act is to reveal the fact that Den had survived the attempt on his life. News reaches Den Watts in Spain that Dalton is dead, Andy replaces Dalton as the leader of The Firm. This is until Andy loses his position for being a soft touch, Andy is subsequently killed by rival Johnny Allen when Andy tries to double-cross him on a deal. Ironically, Den Watts is finally murdered that night, though at the hands of his wife Chrissie Watts in an unconnected incident. Dennis is murdered in 2005 by Danny Moon, as ordered by Johnny, in 2006, Danny is murdered by his brother Jake Moon, and Johnny dies of a heart attack
6.
Dennis Rickman
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Dennis Rickman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nigel Harman. He entered the show on 14 April 2003 and made his last appearance in the episode broadcast on 30 December 2005 and he is part of the Watts family, though his identity was unknown for almost thirty years. Dennis is characterised by his manner, a bad boy cast in the mould of a young Dirty Den. Harman described his character as a bit of a rough diamond, Dennis quickly became established as the show’s leading man and a soap sex-symbol, with Harman noted for his dark good looks and fantastic physique. It is gradually revealed that he was neglected as a child by his mother and abused by a succession of her boyfriends, and spent some time living in a childrens home. Den was unaware that he had a son, and by the time Dennis meets Dens daughters Sharon and Vicki,14 years have passed since Dens disappearance and supposed death. His introduction as a character is marked by a fight with Phil Mitchell. This launches a rivalry with Phil which continues when Phil reneged on an agreement to meet Dennis for a fight at Phils garage by bringing several associates who give Dennis a severe beating. Dennis infuriates Phil by seducing his sister Sam Mitchell, his wife-to-be Kate Morton and his daughters nanny, the rivalry with Phil is concluded by Denniss father Den when he returns from Spain. Den and Dennis trick Phil into committing a robbery at a local factory. They then abscond with the ladder and most of the cash, though Den leaves Phil with a few stolen notes. The feud brings Dennis closer to his father, Dennis sees East End ganglord Jack Dalton as a father figure as he worked for him collecting debts, amongst other things, and his prison stint is due to working for Jack. After Denniss release, Jack orders Phil to kill Dennis after he becomes independent of him, Dennis persuades Phil to kill Jack instead so they can both be free of him. Dennis marches him out into the woods at gunpoint and, following Daltons admission that he ordered Dens murder in the 1980s, Dennis remains friends with Daltons second-in-command, Andy Hunter, and is left the bookmakers in Andys will after his death at the hands of Johnny Allen. Dennis has a fling with Dens adopted daughter Sharon Watts on the eve of Dens return. They resume their affair in secret but Den cannot accept a relationship between his children and plots to them up. Den taunts Dennis with the insinuation that someone had sexually abused him while he was in a childrens home, despite Sharons heartache, the Watts reform their strong bond, including the introduction of Dens new wife Chrissie Watts. Dennis moves in with Zoe Slater but cannot reciprocate her love and they continue their affair in secret behind Zoe and Dens backs they become sick of sneaking around and they plan to leave on Christmas Day
7.
Kat Slater
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Kathleen Kat Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jessie Wallace. She was also played by Kate Peck in a flashback in 2001, Kat is the daughter of Viv Slater and Charlie Slater, and arrived with her sisters Lynne Hobbs and Little Mo. Her daughter Zoe Slater is initially believed to be her sister as well until Kat reveals she was raped by her uncle Harry Slater as a child and it is later revealed that Kat also gave birth to a son, Zoes twin brother. She appeared in the show from September 2000 to November 2004 and she left on 25 December 2005, and returned on 17 September 2010, to leave again in January 2012 and return on 7 June 2012. Wallace, alongside Richie, decided to take another break from the show, Kat is described as a bit of a floozy, a bitch and very lazy. Richie revealed in an interview with This Morning that Kat and Alfie would be involved in an ongoing storyline, which he said is going to be the biggest soap story in probably the history of soaps. At the end of 2010, Kat and Ronnie both give birth on the day, but Ronnies baby, James, dies and while Kat is in hospital and her baby, Tommy, is unattended. The storyline received over 6,000 complaints, making it the second most complained about EastEnders storyline and it was then decided to end the storyline earlier than originally planned. Wallace has won awards for her portrayal of Kat. At the National Television Awards, she was named Most Popular Newcomer in 2001, Wallace was additionally nominated for the Best Actress, Best Dramatic Performance and Hero of the Year awards in 2002, and Zoes maternity was nominated Best Storyline. She was again nominated Best Actress from 2003 to 2006 consecutively and she won the Television and Radio Industries Club Award for TV Soap Personality in March 2011. Kat arrives in Walford on 18 September 2000, along with her family, father Charlie, sisters Lynne, Little Mo and Zoe, Kat embarks on a brief fling with Steve Owen, much to the annoyance of his girlfriend Melanie Healy. She finds work in The Queen Victoria public house as a barmaid, fiercely defensive of her sisters, Kat is the archrival of Little Mos abusive husband Trevor Morgan, though has a fling with Lynnes boyfriend Garry Hobbs. Much to Zoes frustration, Kat is often over-protective of her, when Zoe announces her decision move to Spain with their uncle Harry, Kat refuses to allow her to go. She reveals that she is Zoes mother, having been abused by Harry aged thirteen. Zoe flees Walford, and Kat attempts suicide by cutting her wrists and she recovers, is romanced by local doctor Anthony Trueman, and later finds Zoe and brings her home. Their relationship improves, but after Kat breaks up with Anthony, he, Zoe disowns Kat for disapproving of their relationship, and later runs away when Anthony reveals that he is still in love with Kat. Anthony and Kats relationship resumes, but she fails to impress his colleagues, Kat discovers she is pregnant by him and decides to have an abortion
8.
The Queen Victoria
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The Queen Victoria is the Victorian public house in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. It has the address of 46 Albert Square, Walford. In the series backstory, Albert Square was built around 1860 during the reign of Queen Victoria, originally the pub was to be called The Balmoral but after the death of Prince Albert it was renamed as a tribute to the mourning Queen. In reality, Albert Square is based on the real Fassett Square in Hackney, initially, the pubs exterior is first seen painted brown. This is later changed to a green and cream colour scheme before Grant Mitchell sets alight to the Queen Victoria in 1992, following another blaze in 2010, the pub is painted red, green and cream. On Boxing Day 2013, the new family to the square, during the first months of the show, The Queen Victoria has a partition wall down the middle of the bar which separates it into two sections. The smaller section, known as the snug, houses a board and fruit machines, whilst the larger section. Den Watts gets permission from the brewery to remove the partition in 1985, in 2007 the pub has its first refurbishment in 15 years, and another in late 2010. In reality the pub exterior shell on the permanent set was built during 1984 for the new series the following year. The exterior shell was made to look as though it had stood for a hundred years, the internal sets are in a studio separate from the building situated in the Square. In a storyline shown during September 2010, The Queen Victoria was severely damaged by a fire and this allowed for a subtle redesign and upgrade of the set, required when high-definition broadcasting commenced. A separate set was built on the George Lucas sound stage at Elstree Studios to enable the pub interior to be set alight safely. A team of nearly forty-five crew members were involved in the filming of the fire including Make Up, Stunt Team, Fire Safety Officers, Cameras, Lighting, Sound, the exterior scenes took five half days to shoot and were shot at the BBC studios in Borehamwood. The interior scenes were shot a week after and took three days to film, Safety necessitated having the set re-created at the Elstree Film Studios stage facility that is designed and equipped to film fire involved scenes. We had a Stunt Team comprising Lee Sheward, our Stunt Co-ordinator, a Visual FX team designed and executed all the fire sequences and we had specialist Fire Officers providing out of vision fire cover / safety. In the EastEnders series spin-off CivvyStreet life in Albert Square is featured between 1939 and 1945, and The Queen Victoria freehold is owned by the brewery, Luxford & Copley, ray and Lil Daniels are the landlords. When the series begins, the brewery remain owners and Den, gus and Flo Leonard, and Alf and Polly Barrett are alluded to as landlords prior to the start of the series. Angie is served divorce papers by Den on Christmas Day 1986
9.
New York City
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The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2015 population of 8,550,405 distributed over an area of about 302.6 square miles. Located at the tip of the state of New York. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has described as the cultural and financial capital of the world. Situated on one of the worlds largest natural harbors, New York City consists of five boroughs, the five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island – were consolidated into a single city in 1898. In 2013, the MSA produced a gross metropolitan product of nearly US$1.39 trillion, in 2012, the CSA generated a GMP of over US$1.55 trillion. NYCs MSA and CSA GDP are higher than all but 11 and 12 countries, New York City traces its origin to its 1624 founding in Lower Manhattan as a trading post by colonists of the Dutch Republic and was named New Amsterdam in 1626. The city and its surroundings came under English control in 1664 and were renamed New York after King Charles II of England granted the lands to his brother, New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790. It has been the countrys largest city since 1790, the Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to the Americas by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a symbol of the United States and its democracy. In the 21st century, New York has emerged as a node of creativity and entrepreneurship, social tolerance. Several sources have ranked New York the most photographed city in the world, the names of many of the citys bridges, tapered skyscrapers, and parks are known around the world. Manhattans real estate market is among the most expensive in the world, Manhattans Chinatown incorporates the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere, with multiple signature Chinatowns developing across the city. Providing continuous 24/7 service, the New York City Subway is one of the most extensive metro systems worldwide, with 472 stations in operation. Over 120 colleges and universities are located in New York City, including Columbia University, New York University, and Rockefeller University, during the Wisconsinan glaciation, the New York City region was situated at the edge of a large ice sheet over 1,000 feet in depth. The ice sheet scraped away large amounts of soil, leaving the bedrock that serves as the foundation for much of New York City today. Later on, movement of the ice sheet would contribute to the separation of what are now Long Island and Staten Island. The first documented visit by a European was in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, a Florentine explorer in the service of the French crown and he claimed the area for France and named it Nouvelle Angoulême. Heavy ice kept him from further exploration, and he returned to Spain in August and he proceeded to sail up what the Dutch would name the North River, named first by Hudson as the Mauritius after Maurice, Prince of Orange
10.
Alfie Moon
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Alfred William Alfie Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Shane Richie. He made his first appearance on 21 November 2002, and left on 25 December 2005 and he returned to EastEnders on 21 September 2010, following the return of on-screen wife Kat two episodes previously. Richie and Wallace departed on-screen on 22 May 2015, the characters returned for a short stint from 26 December 2015 to 25 January 2016, departing again to film a six-part spin-off series, titled Redwater, set in Ireland. However, following the conclusion of the spin-off, the pair will not return to the soap, Alfies parents were killed in a car crash on Shrove Tuesday and the family commemorate their death each year. Although young, he responsibility for his younger brother Spencer, who is nearly twenty years his junior. Alfie spent three years in prison for credit card fraud after taking the blame for his second cousins Jake, after acquainting himself with a few residents, he sneaks into The Queen Victoria public house and helps himself to a drink behind the bar. The landlady, Peggy Mitchell, assumes that Alfie is Chris Wright, Alfie takes advantage of the misunderstanding to commit identity fraud against Wright. Alfie packs any stock he could find in a bin bag, jim Branning catches him, but assumes Alfie is throwing away outdated stock and tricks Alfie into giving him a pint on the house. Winston, Martin, Ricky Butcher and Sam Mitchell realise that Alfie has told them all different background stories, Alfie later answers the phone to the real Chris Wright and tells him the position is filled, revealing his intention to stay. Alfies brother and grandmother arrive unannounced in Albert Square and move into the pub with Alfie, when Alfie is blackmailed by a former police officer, Dougie Slade, who reveals Alfies true identity to Peggy, Alfie and his family are forced to flee with the pubs takings. However, Alfie leaves the money on Peggys doorstep, Peggy manages to track him down and after he confides in her about his parents death, she gives him another chance. Alfie shares a bond with barmaid Kat Slater and an attraction develops, eventually Kat reciprocates his feelings and one night when the pub is closed, Kat reveals her feelings to him. They decide to embark on their relationship slowly, but his inability to trust her causes her to rethink the romance and she breaks up with Alfie, Alfie is heartbroken when Kat returns from a trip to New York engaged to local gangster Andy Hunter. Andy, knowing Alfies feelings for Kat, warns him to stay away from her, before the wedding, Kat visits Victoria in hospital, and thinking she is asleep, admits she still loves Alfie. Victoria tells Alfie and he rushes to the wedding to confess his feelings as the ceremony takes place. Kat jilts Andy and he swears revenge before leaving Walford, Alfie and Kat quickly get engaged and decide to hold the wedding on Christmas Day, less than a month away. However, Alfie is still married to his first wife, Liza, lizas mother, Marlene tells Alfie that their divorce is finalised, so he starts to prepare the wedding to Kat, until Liza reveals they are not divorced. There are only a few days before the wedding so he tries to quickly finalise the divorce while trying to keep it secret from Kat, though Liza makes it difficult as she wants Alfie to take her back
11.
Shane Richie
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Shane Patrick Roche, known as Shane Richie, is an English actor, comedian, television presenter and singer. Richie has presented a number of BBC game shows including Reflex, Win Your Wish List and he progressed to the live stand up circuit – receiving a nomination for best new stand-up at the inaugural British Comedy Awards. In 1989, Richie made nightly appearances for Sky TVs chat show series Jameson Tonight, in 1990, Richie made his first terrestrial television appearances as one of the comics on the BBC One sketch show Up to Something. With Suzy Aitchison, David Schneider, Frances Dodge, Mike Hayley and Lewis MacLeod however, Richie was one of five comics along with Maddi Cryer, Annette Law, George Marshall and Billy Pearce. Richie later branched out into hosting game shows after proving successful as host of the quiz show Run the Risk. He moved into mainstream presenting with Caught in the Act, Win, Lose or Draw, The Shane Richie Experience and he also replaced Danny Baker in the doorstep challenge TV ads for Daz detergent, he had previously replaced Baker as host of Win, Lose or Draw. In the 2012 Christmas episode of The Sarah Millican Television Programme, Richie has had success in musicals, appearing in such musicals as Boogie Nights and the 1993 London revival production of Grease. s Im Your Man. Over Christmas 2005, Richie appeared in a run of Scrooge. In 2009, Richie was reportedly scheduled as the act for Michael Jacksons concerts at the O2 Arena. The concerts were cancelled following Jacksons death, during Christmas 2013, Richie appeared as Buttons in the pantomime Cinderella at the Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe. From 2002 to 2003, Richie played the villainous Danny Dexter on Night and he won supporting roles in low-profile British films beginning with Chris Barfoots award-winning short comedy movie Dead Clean and then later Distant Shadow. In 2003, Richie was executive producer for the British film Shoreditch and he invested a six-figure sum into the budget of the film, which ultimately made little profit. In 2007, Richie starred in ITV drama The Good Samaritan and he also starred in the second series of Skins on Channel 4 as Bruce Gelcart, a lecherous college drama lecturer. On 11 May 2008, Richie hosted a show on Sky1 called Dont Forget the Lyrics. Whereby contestants must finish off the lyrics to lines of songs in order to win money. On 25 April 2008, he was due to be a guest on The Paul OGrady Show, in February 2009, Richie starred in a revamp of the series Minder on Channel 5. Rather than a remake of the original, Richie stars as Archie Daley, the nephew of the character Arthur Daley from the original series, which ran from 1979 to 1994 on ITV. The BBC announced on 14 November 2011, that following Jimmy Saviles recent death, Jimll Fix It would return for a one-off Christmas Special in December 2011, in January 2014, Richie presented one series of BBC One game show Reflex, made by Objective Productions
12.
Den Watts
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Dennis Alan Den Watts is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by actor Leslie Grantham. He became well known for his nickname, Dirty Den. Den was the landlord of The Queen Victoria. He perhaps is best remembered for his stormy relationship with his alcoholic first wife Angie. He was also known for his later involvement with the criminal gang known as The Firm that eventually led to an attempt on his life in 1989. For 14 years, it was believed that the Firms attempt on his life had been successful, seventeen months later, his character was killed off again, this time for good, at the hands of his manipulative second wife Chrissie. His character has described by EastEnders executive producer Louise Berridge as being arguably one of the most iconic soap characters ever. Den and his wife Angie Watts are landlords of The Queen Victoria pub in Albert Square, when 16-year-old Michelle falls pregnant, she refuses to name the father, fearing repercussions for Den and herself. When she gives birth to a daughter Vicki in 1986, Den is not allowed any contact with her, he is allowed to hold his daughter once, Den and Angies marriage continues to sour, despite their strong professional personas. However, Angie struggles to contain her jealousy regarding Dens mistress, she grows depressed, still, Den makes plans to leave Angie permanently, hoping to stop him, Angie claims that she is dying and has only six months to live in October that year. Den chooses to stay with her and tries to rebuild their relationship and he takes Angie to Venice for a second honeymoon, but liaises with Jan, who is also there. Feeling guilty about her lie, Angie gets drunk on the way home via the Orient Express and admits to a barman that she is not dying and he bides his time and gets revenge by serving her divorce papers on Christmas Day. The couples divorce is finalized in 1987 and Angie damages Den by demanding a divorce settlement. Den runs The Queen Vic alone, initially assisted by Jan, Den has a fling with the Vics caterer, Magda Czajkowski, but is scorned when she eventually opts to date Simon Wicks instead. When he discovers that they are seeing each other, he punches Simon, sacks him, whilst single again, Den begins to realise that The Vics trade is floundering without Angie. With some meddling from Sharon, Den and Angie decide to reunite as business partners, however, it is short-lived, because Angie falls in love with her friend, Sonny. Realising that Angie is planning to leave him, Den visits a solicitor, Angie leaves Walford for Spain in May 1988 with nothing, and they never see or hear anything of each other again. Having had an association with the criminal organisation known as The Firm
13.
Paul Trueman
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Paul Trueman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gary Beadle between 2001 and 2004. Gary was introduced as part of the already established Trueman family and he was portrayed as a bad boy. Beadle left the role in 2004, in his exit storyline, Paul became a drug dealer, and Beadle has been critical of the storyline, suggesting it played into black, racial stereotyping. It was implied that Paul was killed upon his exit, though his death was not screened, Paul follows his mother Audrey Trueman and brother Anthony Trueman to Walford after being estranged for them for some time. Audrey rejects him, but he decides to stay, blackmailing Anthony for money in exchange for keeping his drink-driving secret, Paul started playing in Steve Owens poker games, when an old acquaintance of his, Angel Hudson, joins a game and instanty recognises Paul. It transpires that Paul owes Angel money, and Angel threatens Pauls life unless he pays up, Paul tries to get the money by stealing property from his mother, pawning the goods and gambling the money he receives. This fails and he ends up with money than he began with. When Angel comes to collect his money, Paul fails to pay, so Angel gives him a beating and trashes Audreys bed. After more threats from Angel, Paul blackmails Anthony into giving him the money, Anthony has no choice but to oblige, he takes out a loan and Paul pays Angel. Audrey is struck by falling debris while walking past some building works, just before she dies, Audrey tells Paul that she knew about Anthony being the driver and tells Paul to tell Anthony that she loves him. Just as Audrey is about to say something to him, she dies, however, everything is left to Paul in Audreys will. Pauls supposed father Patrick Trueman arrives in Walford for her funeral, Paul initially reacts to Patrick with apprehension but they eventually bond. Both are devastated when Anthony discovers via DNA tests that Patrick is not Pauls biological father, Paul later discovers he is the biological child of Milton Hibbert, Patricks friend with whom Audrey had been having an affair. Despite this, Patrick and Paul maintain a close relationship, Angel returns with more orders for Paul. Angel is soon to stand trial for murder and is using his wife, Precious and he tells Paul to guard her until she could testify. Paul obliges and Precious moves to Albert Square, Paul initially does not know that Precious is Angels wife and when she make advances towards him, he has no qualms about having sex with her. The two begin an affair, but both fear repercussions from Angel, Precious refuses to be Angels alibi, hoping that he will be imprisoned, but he is found not guilty. Precious has no choice but to finish with Paul and leave Walford alone, Paul is shocked when an abandoned baby is left on his doorstep
14.
Gary Beadle
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Gary Beadle is a British actor, best known for playing Paul Trueman in EastEnders and Gary Barwick in Operation Good Guys. Beadle was raised in as one of five children in Bermondsey, South London, as children, he and his elder brother Rikki produced a version of the 1976 youth musical-gangster film Bugsy Malone for Southwark London Borough Council. Directed by Rikki who starred as Talula, Gary played janitor Fizzy, after developing a love of hip hop, and especially Run-D. M. C. and the Sugarhill Gang, Beadle he moved to New York City in his early twenties. On return to London, he formed a rap group called the City Limits Crew and he also worked as a comedian, one half of an act called Swift +2 Club Bouncers. In 2001 he won the role of Paul Trueman in EastEnders, a loveable rogue, Beadle left the role when his contract was due to terminate, as he had not appreciated the director and script writers wanting to be come a drug dealer. He therefore agreed an exit where his character was killed-off, in 2004 he presented the UMA Awards with singer, ex-EastEnder Michelle Gayle. Since leaving EastEnders, Beadle has roles in Holby City, Doctors, in 2007, he appeared in BBC Three comedy Thieves Like Us. His brother is actor, writer and performer Rikki Beadle-Blair, in 2008 he appeared in The Sarah Jane Adventures series 2 as Clyde Langers father, Paul. In 2010 he appeared in the Royal Court Theatres Sucker Punch by Roy Williams, in 2012 he appeared in Hustle as a police officer. In 2015 he played Docker in BBC One drama The Interceptor, in 2016, he starred as Abioseh, an ex-tribesman in the Royal National Theatres production of Les Blancs. He also starred in an episode of the BBCs Death in Paradise, Gary Beadle at the Internet Movie Database Interview at britishhiphop. co. uk, June 2008
15.
Patrick Trueman
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Patrick Trueman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Rudolph Walker. He made his first appearance on 13 September 2001, on 7 December 2015, Walker filmed his 1, 000th episode as Patrick. Trinidadian Patrick arrives in Walford for his former wife Audrey Truemans funeral and it transpires that Paul is the son of Patricks best friend Milton Hibbert. Despite the upset, Patrick and Paul maintain a father-son relationship, Patrick becomes close friends with pensioner Jim Branning, who helps him woo Yolande Duke with love letters after Patrick has a holiday romance with her in Trinidad. As a result, Yolande moves to Walford, leaving her strict Christian husband Victor, Patrick and Yolande marry and briefly foster a young girl named Katie in 2004, though they find it difficult when she is returned to her mother. Paul starts dealing drugs for Andy Hunter, ultimately leading to his death when he tries to double-cross Andy, Patrick is devastated to lose his son and begins a vendetta against Andy. Patrick rents the car-lot, hiring Pat Evans to do bookkeeping, Patrick and Pat begin a casual affair, which Yolande discovers when Stacey Slater informs her, Yolande slaps Pat, who retaliates. Yolande threatens to leave, but Patrick persuades her to rebuild their marriage, Yolande remains resentful and almost strays with Aubrey Valentine, a member of Patricks former band, The Five Hectors, Aubrey tries to destroy Patrick but fails and the Truemans remain together. Denise Fox discovers that a member of Patricks band is her father although she is unsure which member, Patrick takes a DNA test and it is revealed that he is not Denises father, but he pretends he is as he has grown attached to her. The truth comes out while Patrick and Denise holiday together, despite initial upset, Denise, Patrick sees Denise as the daughter he never had and acts as grandfather to her two daughters Chelsea and Libby. After purchasing the Minute Mart grocery store, Patrick and Yolande run it together, Patrick becomes fearful of leaving his house, but eventually overcomes this with support from his wife and friends. After Yolande impresses a Minute Mart official, she is offered a management position in Birmingham, Yolande accepts and prepares to move, however Patrick is less keen. Yolande leaves for Birmingham in October 2008, leaving Patrick behind to sell their house under the premise he will join her later, however, Yolande ultimately decides she is happier without Patrick and ends their marriage, leaving Patrick devastated, they divorce in 2009. The Fox family move in with Patrick, including Denises lover Lucas Johnson, when Patrick discovers Lucas is withholding information about a tryst he has had with his ex-wife Trina, Patrick orders him to confess. Lucas responds by blackmailing Patrick, threatening to tell Denise about his criminal past during the 1958 Notting Hill race riots when Patrick was convicted of assault, Patricks past was revealed anyway, by Chelseas boyfriend Theo Kelly, who is in league with Tommy Clifford. Tommy claims to be writing a book about culture, but it is eventually revealed that he is the man who killed Patricks fiancée, Ruth. Patrick is furious, but eventually relents to Tommys dying wish, after attending an over-50s dance, Patrick starts a relationship with Liz Turner, Denises former mother-in-law. However, Patrick tires of her quickly and Liz moves away when it is revealed that Lucas is a killer who has murdered her son
16.
Rudolph Walker
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Rudolph Walker, OBE, is a Trinidadian actor, best known for his roles on British television. He was the first black actor to appear in a major British TV series, his role as Bill in the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour leading to a long. He is currently best known as Patrick Trueman in the BBC One TV soap opera EastEnders, Rudolph Malcolm Walker was born in San Juan, Trinidad, and began acting as an eight-year-old in primary school, going on to join Derek Walcotts Trinidad Theatre Workshop as its youngest member. With the aim of furthering his career he left the island at the age of 20 in 1960, Walkers first major television role was as a policeman in the British drama The Wednesday Play, in the episode entitled Fable. He is known for his roles in Love Thy Neighbour, The Thin Blue Line, which starred Rowan Atkinson. He also appeared in Doctor Who, in the 1969 serial The War Games and he appeared in the first episode of On the Buses, The Early Shift, and the first episode of Mr. Bean as The Examiner. His other notable roles included as barrister Larry Scott in the 1985 BBC series Black Silk, by Mustapha Matura, since 2001, he has played Patrick Trueman in the BBC One television soap opera EastEnders and in 2010 he appeared in the Internet spin-off series EastEnders, E20. He also starred in a BBC One sitcom called The Crouches, about a family from Walworth and he played the grandfather for all seasons. Although most of his work has been on television, he has appeared in movies, including 10 Rillington Place, King Ralph. He was also Gower in Thackers 1989 production of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. w He also played opposite Diane Parish in Lovejoy where they played Father and Daughter. Walker also lent his voice to the American dubbed version of the popular British childrens television series Teletubbies, Walker was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 for his services to drama. A biography for children about him, written by Verna Wilkins, was published by Tamarind Books on 4 September 2008, the Foundation administers Rudolph Walkers inter-School Drama Award, competed for by schools across London. Rudolph Walker at the Internet Movie Database Rudolph Walker on Twitter Rudolph Walker at the British Film Institutes Screenonline Credits at Gavin Barker Associates website RWiSDA website, Rudolph Walker - The Interview, YouTube video
17.
Pat Butcher
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Patricia Louise Pat Evans, also occasionally referred to in the British media as Fat Pat, is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She was played by Pam St. Clement from 12 June 1986, just over a year after the show first aired, until her departure on 1 January 2012. Pat was also portrayed by Emma Cooke in a soap bubble Pat and Mo, Ashes to Ashes, delving into her past with sister-in-law Mo Harris, the character died on 1 January 2012, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her funeral was on 13 January 2012, Pat was one of the longest serving characters on the show, being on it for twenty-five years and six months. She returned along with women from Ian Beales past in a concussion-related dream sequence for a Children in Need special on 14 November 2014. She also made a return as a hallucination for Peggy Mitchells exit on 17 May 2016, Pat is the youngest of four children. Her sister, Joan, had Downs syndrome, and was sent to an institution when Pat was four. Joan married Michael, who also had Downs and their mother, Lydia, disowned Joan and claimed she had died at age 22. After leaving school at 15, Pat unsuccessfully tried to become a model and she and her best friend, Mo Porter, entered a beauty contest in Clacton at 16, winning the title of Miss Butlins. There she met Frank Butcher, who was holidaying with his girlfriend, Frank was besotted with Pat, and they slept together. Frank was the first of what would be many lovers in Pats life, Pat and Frank would meet up from time to time, and on each occasion the affair would be rekindled, but Frank would not leave June. Pat began working for shady club owner Tony Cattani, who got her involved in prostitution and this shamed her family, particularly her brother Jimmy, and their relationship suffered. When Pat discovered that her best friend Mo, now Jimmys wife, had slept with Tony, she informed her brother, Mo denied it, while working as a prostitute, Pat was offered more money to work for up-and-coming gangster Johnny Allen. Pat then worked as a woman of the underworld for many years. She had flings with Den Watts and Kenny Beale —both restless men, kennys younger brother Pete proved more reliable, he married Pat when he thought she was pregnant by him—a false alarm which his mother Lou believed was Pats ploy to trap her son. While they were together, Pat had two sons, David and Simon, who Pete believed to be his, yet Pat could not settle down and embarked on an affair with Brian Wicks. Pete eventually left her and they divorced, soon after, Pat married Brian and he took on responsibility of her two sons. They left Walford due to Davids feud with fellow schoolboy Derek Branning who terrorised the entire family because David got his sister Carol pregnant and they moved to Romford and Pat stayed with Brian until 1986, when he started physically abusing her
18.
Johnny Allen (EastEnders)
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Jonathan Johnny Allen is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Billy Murray. Johnny appears on the show from 4 January 2005 until 19 October 2006, Johnny is one of the shows biggest villains, terrorising several other characters and going to extreme lengths to gain the upper hand over his rivals. Johnny Allen was born to a family in Walford in the early 1940s. He was educated and grew up where he became familiar with the such as the Beale family. Johnny went on to become a boxer from an early age, in the late 1950s, when he started as an up-and-coming gangster and he employed a well-known prostitute Pat Harris with whom he had several flings before she married Pete Beale in 1961. Johnny also employed a fellow boxer in the late 1960s, named Eric Mitchell, Johnny used to bully Eric because Eric was a better boxer than he was and the two developed a strong feud. Johnny also knew Erics wife, Peggy, who used to try and seduce him out of desperation, Allen was a well-known man of the underworld and became notorious in the East End of London because he killed and tortured people including those who worked for him. Johnny left Walford when he grew older, presumably in the early 1970s, enterprises but he still worked as a gangster but lived in his mansion in Essex. He married a woman named Stephanie, and they had two daughters, Scarlett and Ruby, born in 1988. In 1994, he began an affair with Tina Stewart, a barmaid who worked for him but was many years his junior and his wife, Stephanie, and his eldest daughter, Scarlett, were killed in an arson attack by one of his criminal rivals in March 2004. Johnny makes his first appearance to back-up Jake and Danny Moon from the crime boss Andy Hunter, Johnny soon begins appearing more often, to sort out the Moon brothers problems. After a while, he buys the nightclub Angies Den and the Ferreira familys flat, after Jake and Danny buy stolen alcohol to use in Scarlet, Johnny fires them. After Johnny steals Dannys idea for a Salsa night at the club, Danny goes to Johnnys house in a drunken state, Johnny hunts down Jake and Danny, drives them to the woods and prepares to shoot Danny. Jake pleads for mercy, and Johnny then lets both of them go and orders them to leave Albert Square and never return, Jake, however, does return on his own in September, and tells Johnny he is there for personal reasons, so Johnny lets him stay. Johnnys former mistress, Tina, follows him to Walford, when Ruby finds out she is upset, but eventually accepts Tina and they live as a family for a while. But Johnny soon tires of Tina, and cheats on her with Amy, when Ruby discovers this she tells Tina, who leaves Johnny and the Square. After putting in an offer for The Queen Victoria public house and it is soon revealed that there is history between the two, her deceased husband Eric had worked for Johnny, many years earlier, and they had also come across each other when it came to boxing. Generally, Johnny had mistreated Eric, and Peggy blames this for the reason Eric took it out on her
19.
Chrissie Watts
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Christine Chrissie Watts is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman. She first appeared in April 2004 as the wife of the shows most enduring character, Den Watts. In 2005 she was the focus of one of the programmes biggest and most high-profile narratives when she killed her husband in a fit of rage during the special 20th anniversary episode. The broadcast, airing on 18 February, was watched by 14.34 million people, Chrissie Watts was created by the production team to be more the equal of her notorious and villainous husband than his long-suffering first wife, Angie. As part of the Watts family, her story lines centre on her tumultuous marriage to Den, her relationship with his children, and the ongoing feud with the rival Mitchell family. Oberman won praise for her portrayal of a classic soap bitch. Although generally well received by viewers, the character was described as a ludicrous Lady MacBeth wannabe by Jim Shelley of the Daily Mirror, other critics have variously called Chrissie a witch, venomous, and the shows resident black widow. Chrissie Watts first appears in EastEnders on 29 April 2004 and she and Den had met in Spain and married some years earlier, during which time he was believed to be dead by his family and associates. Their marriage was tumultuous, with Chrissie eventually leaving Den after she saw him pawing all over that tourist guide and she then learnt that Den had sold their bar and returned to the UK with some girl, Chrissie followed intent on recovering her share of the money. Chrissie arrives in Walford in search of her husband Den and their marriage has turned sour and he has sold their bar in Spain and taken the money. Den manages to persuade her to give their marriage another try and she is shocked to discover he has children, Sharon Watts, Dennis Rickman and Vicki Fowler, and that while he was in Spain with her, he was in exile after faking his own death. She starts work as a hairdresser in Kate Mitchells nail salon, however, Dens elusive behaviour raises her suspicions that he is having an affair. He almost convinces her that she is mistaken, but she learns that her fears were correct. Feigning friendship, she hacks off most of Kates hair and smashes up the beauty salon in a rage and she leaves Walford distraught at Dens betrayal. Den departs for Spain on business, and Chrissie returns to the salon as she remains the co-owner and she remains hostile to Kate for some time, but eventually calls a truce. She then becomes concerned over Vickis much older boyfriend Tommy Grant, at this point, Den returns intent on securing her forgiveness. She relents, but warns if he cheats again she will kill him. Together, they scam the Mitchell family out of their holdings, in January, Dennis catches Den and his girlfriend Zoe Slater in bed together and tells Chrissie who is stunned
20.
Tracy-Ann Oberman
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Tracy-Ann Oberman is an English television, theatre and radio actress. Best known for her role as Chrissie Watts in BBC1 soap opera EastEnders from 2004–05, also a writer, Oberman has contributed to a number of radio sketch shows and in 2008 co-authored with Diane Samuels the critically acclaimed play Three Sisters on Hope Street. In 2010 she wrote and starred alongside Catherine Tate in her BBC Radio 4 play Bette and Joan and Baby Jane and in 2012 wrote the BBC Radio 4 play Rock and Doris and Elizabeth. In 2015 she wrote and starred in the part of her Hollywood Trilogy for BBC Radio 4, Mrs Robinson, I Presume, alongside John Simm. Oberman was a regular columnist for The Guardian newspaper during 2007, following training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, Oberman spent four years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before joining the National Theatre. Her extensive theatrical background includes appearing with Kenneth Branagh in David Mamets Edmond and she recently appeared in a production of Earthquakes in London in its 2011 run as Sarah Sullivan. Obermans TV credits include Doctor Who, Mistresses, Robin Hood, Oberman has performed in more than 600 radio plays since the mid-90s. She also had a role in the penultimate and last series of procedural comedy-drama New Tricks as Fiona Kennedy. Oberman is also a contributor to The Guardian and was a regular contributor to the Jewish Chronicle. She also contributes to Red Magazine and she also writes radio plays for BBC Radio 4. Tracy-Ann Oberman was born in Brent, Greater London and she grew up in North London, attending Heathfield School for Girls, before going on to study Classics at Leeds University, however, after a year she moved to Manchester University to pursue drama. After graduating she was accepted into the Central School of Speech and Drama, in 1991, Oberman studied for a term at the Moscow Arts Theatre School as part of her training. Oberman has spoken of how her drive for professionalism was a result of her parents initial concern with her career choice. Coming from a legal background, her family weren’t wildly happy about her desire to become an actress, My parents were always making me watch Rumpole of the Bailey. It’s just like acting, you make things up, you wear a wig, why not the law. ’ But I just always, always wanted to act, as far back as I remember. Joining the Royal Shakespeare Company though, finally won her parents over and he was a big EastEnders fan so I know hed be very, very proud of me. After leaving the Central School of Speech and Drama, Oberman joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, in 1993 she took part in the RSCs award-winning production of Christopher Marlowes Tamburlaine as Olympia. This was followed by roles in The Changeling, as Diaphanta, A Jovial Crew in the part of Joan Cope, in 1994 she completed her run at the RSC playing in Macbeth and A Christmas Carol
21.
Today with Des and Mel
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Today with Des and Mel was a British television series hosted by Des OConnor and Melanie Sykes. The show featured celebrity guests, phone-in competitions and chat between the hosts and it was produced by Carlton Television, at The London Studios. The show was produced at Teddington Studios for the first series. Today with Des and Mel was loosely based on the format of the popular American television show, Live with Regis, at one stage, the show was given the green light for an evening version to be made. For a short time in January 2005, the show appeared in a 5 p. m. slot, but this was dropped. ITV announced on 12 May 2006, that the show had been axed, Paul OGrady was a regular guest presenter, with ITV bosses being so impressed with his performance, that they gave him his own show - The Paul OGrady Show. Dale Winton, Bradley Walsh and Richard Whiteley also covered for Des on occasion, on 3 November 2008 and Wednesday 8 April 2009, both Des and Mel filled in as guest hosts on The Paul OGrady Show whilst Paul had time off
22.
BBC Online
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BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBCs online service. The website has gone through several branding changes since it was launched, originally named BBC Online, it was then rebranded as BBCi before being named bbc. co. uk. It was then renamed BBC Online again in 2008, however the service uses the branding BBC, the web-based service of the BBC is one of the most visited websites and the worlds largest news website. As of 2007, it contained two million pages. On 2 March 2010, the BBC reported that it cut its website spending by 25% and close BBC6 Music. On 24 January 2011, the cuts of 25% were announced leaving a £34 million shortfall. This resulted in the closure of several sites, including BBC Switch, BBC Blast, 6-0-6, and this led to the official launch of BBC Online at the www. bbc. co. uk address in December 1997. Later, BBC Online launched licence fee funded web sites for Top of the Pops and Top Gear, Beeb. com was later refocussed as an online shopping guide, and was closed in 2002. Beeb. com now redirects to the BBC Shop website, run by BBC Worldwide. In 1999, the BBC bought the www. bbc. com domain name for $375,000, previously owned by Boston Business Computing, as of 2005, www. bbcnc. org. uk no longer exists. In 2001, BBC Online was rebranded as BBCi. the website launched on 7 November 2001, the BBCi name was conceived as an umbrella brand for all the BBCs digital interactive services across web, digital teletext, interactive TV and on mobile platforms. The navbar was designed to offer a similar system to the i-bar on BBCi interactive television. Interactive TV services continued under the BBCi brand until it was dropped completely in 2008, the BBCs online video player, the iPlayer has, however, retained an i-prefix in its branding. The widget-based design was inspired by such as Facebook and iGoogle. The new homepage also incorporated the design used in the 1970s on the BBCs television service into the large header. The new BBC homepage left beta on Wednesday,27 February 2008 to serve as the new BBC Homepage under the same URL as the previous version. On 30 January 2010, a new design became available as a beta version. This homepage expanded on the idea and the customisation theme
23.
Digital Spy
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Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website launched in 1999. The site focuses on reporting breaking entertainment news related to movies, music, television, in addition to news articles there are regular reviews posted on popular films, theatre, and concerts. On 9 April 2008 it was announced that the website had been purchased by magazine publisher Hachette Filipacchi UK, on 1 August 2011, ownership of Hachette UK was sold to Hearst Magazines UK. As well as articles, the site also features forums, which went live in March 2000, representatives of several major companies, including Top Up TV, Joost, BSkyB, Goodmans, and Amstrad CEO Lord Alan Sugar are registered members who have posted on the forums. Iain Chapman launched the website, providing news, rumours. At the same time, Chris Butcher launched the ONfaq website, offering similar news, both sites proved to be popular, attracting a lot of attention from visitors eager for more news about these rapidly developing TV platforms. Very quickly, Iain and Chris discussed the idea of a merger of the two sites, to create the digiNEWS Network, on 28 February 1999 digiNEWS and ONfaq merged and were rebranded as sites of the new digiNEWS network. Both sites were redesigned with common branding, and new header graphics identifying the digiNEWS network, more sites continued to join the network - Chris Norriss cablenews, uk, Mark Hughes DVDNews and Neil Wilkes TV, uk. The network was growing, but technically it was disjointed, served from personal webspace from ISPs such as Freeserve. Discussions with website guru Jose Cardoso began, and work started on integrating the multitude of sites into a single portal. It was important for the new site to be accessible, so a. COM address was preferable, unfortunately the diginews. com address was already taken. After many many emails back and forth, the name Digital Spy was chosen, the new Digital Spy forums went live on 1 March 2000. They were built on the UBB forum platform, the new Digital Spy news portal went live on 19 May 2001, running on a custom-built content management system developed by Jose and called RAMS. In November 2015, Digital Spy hired ex editor of Heat Julian Linley in the role of editor-in-chief as the attempts to challenge BuzzFeed
24.
Hearst Communications
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Hearst Communications, often referred to as simply Hearst, is an American mass media and business information conglomerate. The Hearst company is based in the Hearst Tower in Midtown Manhattan and it was founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, and the Hearst family remains involved in its ownership and management. Under William Randolph Hearsts will, a board of thirteen trustees administers the Hearst Foundation, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The foundations shared ownership until tax law changed to prevent this, Frank A. Bennack Jr. former chief executive officer and executive vice chairman of the corporation John G. Conomikes, former executive of the corporation Gilbert C. In 1880, George Hearst, mining entrepreneur, American publisher, on March 4,1887, he turned the Examiner over to his son, 23-year-old William Randolph Hearst. He pushed his staff to write exciting stories, and wrote editorials worded with force. Within a few years, the new Examiner was a success, in 1895, Hearst purchased the New York Journal, laying the foundation for one of the major newspaper dynasties in American history. He established Hearsts Chicago American in 1900, renamed the morning edition of the New York Journal as the New York American in 1901, the Los Angeles Examiner was launched in 1903 followed by the Boston American one year later. Hearst experimented with every aspect of publishing, from page layouts to editorial crusades. His newspapers introduced innovations such as presses, halftone photographs on newsprint, comic sections printed in color. Stories by Hearst correspondents from around the world were sold to newspapers, giving rise to the Hearst International News Service. In 1903, Hearst Magazines was begun with the publication of Motor magazine, within the next 10 years Hearst acquired several popular titles, starting in 1905 with Cosmopolitan and Good Housekeeping in 1911. Also in 1911, Hearst bought a middling monthly magazine called World To-Day, in June 1914, its title was shortened to Hearsts, and it was ultimately retitled Hearsts International in May 1922. In 1953 Hearst Magazines bought Sports Afield magazine which it kept until 1999 when it was sold to Robert E. Petersen, Hearst began producing film feature in the mid-1910s, creating one of the earliest animation studios, the International Film Service. Hearst established Cosmopolitan Pictures in the 1920s, distributing his films under the newly created Metro Goldwyn Mayer, in 1929, Hearst and MGM created the Hearst Metrotone newsreels. In order to spare serious cutbacks at San Simeon, Hearst merged Hearsts International magazine with Cosmopolitan effective March 1925, Hearst died in 1951, and the Hearsts International disappeared from the magazine cover altogether in April 1952. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hearst owned the biggest media conglomerate in the world, in 1924 he also merged his Milwaukee operations with the Pfister family, owners of The Milwaukee Sentinel. Hearst owned the evening Wisconsin News while the Pfisters kept the Sentinel adding Hearsts features from the now-folded Telegram, in 1925, Hearst sold the Syracuse Telegram to the owners of the Syracuse Journal, while selling the New York Mirror in 1928
25.
Harold Legg
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Doctor Harold Legg is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Leonard Fenton. Dr Legg is Walfords original GP and he is widely trusted within the community, and is always on hand to dish out advice. Dr Legg appears as a character between 1985 and 1989, but continues to appear in a recurring role until 1997. He was officially retired in 1999 by executive producer Matthew Robinson, Dr Legg first appears in EastEnders when it begins on 19 February 1985. He is the doctor for Walford, where he had lived most of his life. His Jewish family had moved out of the East End when Oswald Mosley began his fascist marches in the 1930s and they moved to Finchley in North London, but young Harold commuted daily to his East End grammar school, to avoid any disruption to his education. He went to St. Bartholomews hospital to start his training in 1940, treated air raid casualties. They bought a house in Albert Square. They lived there happily, but during the war a German bomb exploded near number 5 Albert Square and he never remarried, despite the hard work of matchmaking aunts and Dr Legg since devotes his life to keeping the residents of Albert Square healthy. In 1988, Harolds sister, Hester, comes to Walford to visit and tells him that her son, David Samuels, is interested in joining him in Britain. As David is a doctor in Israel, Harold thinks it is an idea and in April that year. Harold even moves back to Walford and he and David live in the flat above the surgery, despite being extremely fond of each other, the new partners argue about almost everything. David wants to modernize the surgery and bring in computers but Harold is set in his ways and is opposed to any obvious changes. Harold also disagrees with Davids friendship with their secretary, Michelle Fowler, David awakes the next day not remembering a thing, but is reassured when Michelle informs him that he had been too drunk to do anything untoward anyway. Harold is not convinced however and berates David for the degradation he brought upon himself, later, David and Harold fall out over Harolds treatment of patients when he discovers that Colin Russell, is showing early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. This highly unethical move appalls David but despite this, Harold continues to refuse to tell Colin about his illness, however, in January 1989, he finally tells Colin the truth. Colin is furious that Harold had kept information from him. He threatens to report Dr Legg to the authorities and is mortified at how unethical he has been, although Dr Legg is sorry, he stands by his decision to lie, feeling that Colin benefited from not knowing - when in fact, the opposite is true
26.
Kathy Beale
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Katherine Kathy Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gillian Taylforth between 1985 and 2000, and from 2015 onwards. Kathy is one of the original characters, appearing in the first episode of EastEnders on 19 February 1985. One of the original characters, Kathy remained in a prominent role, covering issues such as rape and domestic violence until April 1998. Kathy appears in the November 2014 special, The Ghosts of Ian Beale, part of that years Children in Need broadcast, after an absence spanning over 15 years, Taylforth made a shock return as Kathy on 19 February 2015 during a live segment of the 30th anniversary episode. The BBC confirmed that she would reprise the role of Kathy permanently and, after another guest appearance on 19 May, she returned on 17 August. Kathys storylines since her return have included her marriage to Gavin Sullivan, reuniting with Ian and Ben, plus her affair with Buster Briggs, Kathy and her husband Pete Beale are financially stable. Kathy works as a barmaid in The Queen Victoria pub with her best friend, Angie Watts, whilst helping Pete on their fruit, Kathy feels she has put her troubled past behind her but Nick Cotton breaks into Dr Harold Leggs surgery and steals Kathys medical records. He discovers that she gave a child, Donna Ludlow, the product of rape when Kathy was 14, Nick uses this to blackmail her, which eventually forces her to tell Pete her secret and he reacts badly. She later starts a knitting business, Mehmet Osman asks Kathy to knit a batch of jumpers for him. Kathy finds out from Ali Osman that she was conned when Mehmet disappears with the jumpers, Kathy learns that Donna, now an adult, wants to meet her but she refuses. Undeterred, Donna moves to Walford, keeping her identity secret, to get closer to Kathy, Donna calls her workplace at The Samaritans and grows close to Kathys son Ian Beale, who becomes attracted to his half-sister. When Kathy tells Donna to stay away from Ian, Donna reveals that she is her daughter, Donna thinks Kathy will be pleased but Kathy is horrified and demands she leave Walford. Donna stays and causes problems for Kathy. Finally Kathy tells Donna that she is actually the product of rape, Kathy gave her up at birth, Donna spends the rest of the year in a downward spiral. James Willmott-Brown employs Kathy at The Dagmar wine bar, angering Pete, after work, James invites Kathy upstairs to his flat, but when he attempts to seduce her, Kathy tries to leave. James refuses to let her leave and his attempted seduction becomes rape, James is arrested and formally charged with rape. In the aftermath, Kathy becomes depressed and isolated from Pete, James stands trial but tries bribing Kathy to withdraw her statement. Kathy pretends to take his money but tells the police so a listening DI tapes the conversation
27.
Sharon Watts
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Sharon Anne Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Letitia Dean. Sharon is one of EastEnders original characters, appearing in the first episode broadcast on 19 February 1985, the character was conceptualised by Tony Holland and Julia Smith, the creators of EastEnders. Sharon was a teenager when the programme began, the daughter of Den. Sharon remained a prominent character into the 1990s due to romantic pairings with brothers Grant, in a long-running storyline dubbed Sharongate, Sharon, married to Grant, has an affair with Phil. Grants discovery of the affair remains one of EastEnders highest viewed episodes, Dean quit the role in 1995 after ten years, with Sharon departing following the breakdown of her marriage. In 2001, Sharon was reintroduced by producer John Yorke, Dean departed amidst reports that she was taking a break, however, she did not return until 2012, when executive producer Bryan Kirkwood announced that he was reintroducing Sharon. In early 2017, Dean took a break from EastEnders along with co-star Steve McFadden who plays Phil and their characters left Walford in January to go on a break whilst Phil recovered from his liver transplant. Her voice was heard in the episode broadcast on 14 March, Sharon has topped numerous viewer polls suggesting she is one of EastEnders most favoured characters. Critics have praised the characters progression from teenager to adult, referencing the investment that viewers hold in Sharon. While Sharons returns to EastEnders have been welcomed by some critics, Letitia Dean has defended the decision to reintroduce Sharon, suggesting that long-running dramas such as EastEnders need old blood. Adopted at the age of three by Den and Angie Watts, Sharon is raised at The Queen Victoria public house in Albert Square, Walford, Sharon and her best friend, Michelle Fowler compete for the affections of Kelvin Carpenter. This leads to Sharon wanting to go on the pill, which shocks Angie, however, after Angie gets advice from Pauline Fowler and Dr Legg, Sharon and Angie talk about it and Sharon decides to wait. Her teenage romance with Ian Beale in 1986 ends when Sharon realises she prefers a more experienced man, Simon Wicks, in 1987, she seeks refuge from her turbulent home life with church curate, Duncan Boyd. They plan to marry but Duncan bores Sharon and she ends the engagement, Sharon is torn between her conflicting parents until their marriage deteriorates and, in 1988, Angie emigrates. When Den gets involved in crime, he is shot. Shortly after Dens death, Michelle confesses to Sharon that Vicki Fowler is her sister and Sharon is angry, soon after, Sharon discovers Dens signet ring on a market stall. With Dens body missing, Sharon convinces the police to drag a nearby canal in April 1990 and is devastated when a body is found and identified as Dens. Sharon resumes a relationship with Simon, whom she hopes to settle down with, hurt and missing her parents, Sharon tracks down her birth mother, Carol Hanley
28.
Ian Beale
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Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on 19 February 1985. The character appeared in his 2000th episode in the show on 26 March 2007 and he is currently one of four original main characters in EastEnders, the others being Ians mother Kathy Beale, his cousin Michelle Fowler as well as his close friend Sharon Mitchell. Woodyatt filmed his 3000th episode on 27 May 2016, Ian is the most-married character in EastEnders history, with five marriages to four women and two aborted engagements to Mandy Salter and Denise Fox. He has fathered three children, raised his first wifes son Steven Beale and is the guardian of his first wifes youngest daughter, Cindy Williams. As of 2017, Ian is also the current owner of 45 Albert Square, traditionally represented within the series as the home of the Beale. As a teenager, Ian argues with his father Pete Beale over his desire to become a caterer and he starts several businesses and buys a local café soon after graduating from catering college. Ian has several failed romances, including with his friend, Sharon Watts, with whom Ian remains close, fellow student, Tina Hopkins and his cousin. Ian gets engaged to Cindy Williams in 1989, however, a stand with her former lover Simon Wicks leaves her pregnant. Cindy marries Ian and claims that the baby she is expecting, Steven Beale, is his and he recovers and causes Simon to have a car accident in revenge so Simon, Cindy and Steven leave Walford together. Ian immerses himself in his business but his exploitative working practices alienate his friends, employees. He and Cindy later reconcile and Ian is overjoyed to become a father to twins, Peter Beale and Lucy Beale. After opening a fish and chip shop, Ian becomes so obsessed with building his business empire that he neglects Cindy, Ian wins custody of their children, and makes Cindy so miserable that she hires John Valecue, a hitman to kill him. Ian is shot but is only clipped by the bullet and recovers, Cindy leaves the country with Steven and Peter and spends a year in Italy before Ian traces them and retrieves the boys. Cindy returns to Walford and wins custody of the children but is implicated in Ians shooting. She is jailed on remand and dies several months later in prison during childbirth, Ian has a serious romance with Melanie Healy, the manager of his bric-a-brac shop. She proposes to him but later cheats on him with Steve Owen, suspecting that she is planning to leave him, Ian manipulates her by falsely claiming that Lucy is dying from lymphoma. They marry in 1999, but she leaves him during their wedding reception after discovering that Lucy is fine, Ian then pursues a new business venture, development of high-market flats
29.
Dot Cotton
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Dorothy Dot Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by June Brown since 1985. Dot first appeared in EastEnders in July 1985 as the mother of criminal Nick Cotton, the character has worked as a launderette assistant for most of that time along with original character Pauline Fowler. Dot moved away with her son and his family in 1993, in reality, Brown left the show in 1993, unhappy with the axing of her co star Peter Dean, who played Pete Beale from the shows first episode to early 1993. Brown returned to the role in 1997, and Dot was shown moving back to Albert Square, Dot is the second longest-serving character currently appearing in EastEnders, surpassed only by original character Ian Beale. In a special episode entitled EastEnders, Dots Story a young Dot was played by Tallulah Pitt-Brown in flashbacks, in April 2012, Brown took a six-month break from the show to write her memoirs. Dot temporarily departed on 18 May 2012 and she returned on 14 January 2013. In February 2015, Dot began appearing less frequently due to Brown gradually losing her eyesight, in January 2016, it was announced that Brown had renewed her contract with the BBC until March 2017. In January 2017 it was reported that the BBC were offering Brown £300,000 for a one-year contract, a tragicomic character, Dot is known for her devout Christian faith, gossiping, chain smoking, hypochondria, and motherly attitude to those in need. A recurring storyline in the serial has been Dots continuous forgiveness of her sons villainous crimes, Initially married at the start of the series to conman Charlie Cotton, Dot married again in 2002 to pensioner Jim Branning and the union proved to be popular with fans. Brown and Bardon won awards for their screen partnership, on 31 January 2008, Dot became the first character ever to appear in a monologue episode, Pretty Baby. of a British soap. The acclaimed episode saw Dot reminiscing about her years of loss, Dot has been used to explore topical and controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer, immigration and homophobia. Dot has been well received by critics, she has been referred to as a cultural archetype. However, aspects of the such as her smoking and her religious beliefs have been criticised. The character has made an impact on popular culture, she has been spoofed, most notably by Alistair McGowan. Dots backstory states that she was born in Walford, the setting for EastEnders. Aged 18, Dot married Charlie Cotton, the following year, he forced her to have an abortion, threatening to leave her if she did not, but left anyway because it was a bigamous marriage. While Dot was giving birth to their son, Nick, Charlie was having an affair with her sister, Rose and she raised Nick alone, but was not an affectionate mother. Dot is introduced to EastEnders soon after its launch as the gossiping, chain smoking, Christian friend of Ethel Skinner and she has a difficult life with a criminal husband, Charlie, and their son Nick, who appeared in the first episode
30.
Martin Fowler (EastEnders)
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Martin Albert Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The character was played by Jon Peyton-Price from the characters introduction 1985 until 1996, the role was recast to James Bye, who brought Martin back to the screen on 5 December 2014. Since his return in 2014, Martin has divorced Sonia, married Stacey Branning, Martin is the younger son of Pauline Fowler and Arthur Fowler. His considerably older brother is Mark Fowler and his sister is Michelle Fowler. As Martin ages he becomes surly and increasingly troublesome, Martin is ten years old when his father dies, and he becomes more difficult after this. He befriends a small gang of criminals from his local school. Martin has a relationship with Nicky di Marco, but she refuses to have sex. Martin turns to Sonia Jackson after Nicky dumps him, Sonia is feeling vulnerable, and after getting drunk, they sleep together and she becomes pregnant. This leads to a hearing where Sonia asks that baby Chloe be returned to her and she will raise her with her boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell. However, the rules that the adoption should go ahead when Martin admits that he does not want to be a father. Martins deviancy continues when he takes drugs provided by Nick Cotton, Martin receives a six-month prison sentence after driving the car that hit Jamie, and causes his death. However, he serves two months, being let out early for good behaviour. Once released, Martin resumes his criminal lifestyle by robbing a shop, blackmailing Kareena Ferreira and growing cannabis in his fathers shed, assisted by his best friend. This leads to family friend Derek Harkinson taking the blame when the find out, as Martin cannot risk trouble with the law. It is not until Martin is confronted and forgiven by a bereaved Sonia that he begins to feel remorse for his actions. After a few relationships, including a one-night stand with Kelly Taylor, Martin begins growing close to Sonia. After Sonia helps him come to terms with the death of his brother, amidst constant interference from Pauline, Martin and Sonia decide to elope. The newlyweds move in with Pauline but she puts constant strain on their marriage with her meddling, several months later, Martin unwittingly puts his marriage in jeopardy when he encounters Sarah Cairns
31.
Phil Mitchell
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Philip James Phil Mitchell is a long-standing fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden. Phil was introduced to the opera on 20 February 1990. Phil is one of the major introductions made by executive producer Michael Ferguson, Phil and his brother Grant became popularly known as the Mitchell brothers in the British media with Phil initially portrayed as the more level-headed of the two thugs. Storylines featuring the Mitchell family dominated the soap throughout the 1990s, with Phil becoming a popular and long-running male protagonist into the 2000s. McFadden temporarily left the series in late 2003 then returned in March 2005 for a short stint, McFadden took a short break from the series in early 2017 at the conclusion of Phils liver cirrhosis storyline. One of the most culturally significant storylines featuring the character aired in 2001 and was dubbed Who Shot Phil, the plot saw Phil shot in a whodunit mystery, with the assailant eventually revealed as his former girlfriend Lisa Fowler. The storyline captured viewer and media interest and the episode was watched by 22 million viewers. Phil and Grant arrive in Walford to open a repair shop. Phil later goes into partnership at The Queen Victoria public house with Grant and his wife Sharon Watts, Phil grows close to Sharon, who turns to him for comfort during Grants violent outbursts. Sharon and Phil have sex but she stays with Grant, who is unaware of their betrayal, Sharon and Grants reconciliation is brief, and amidst more rowing and physical violence, Grant is arrested and imprisoned. In his absence, Phil and Sharon continue their affair but when Grant is released, Sharon reconciles with him, leaving Phil heartbroken. On the rebound, Phil enters into a marriage of convenience with Nadia Borovac, Phil begins a romance with Kathy Beale, but Nadia returns, needing Phil to prove he is her husband to prevent deportation. She moves in with him while she is investigated, Nadia seduces and sleeps with a drunken Phil. He regrets it, denying it to Kathy so Grant threatens to kill her to make her leave, Kathy agrees to marry Phil in 1994 despite discovering that he torched Frank Butchers car lot in an insurance scam, accidentally killing a homeless boy trapped inside. Intent on winning him back, Sharon kisses Phil but he ends things there, during Phil and Kathys engagement party, Grant listens to a cassette of Sharon admitting to the affair and plays it at the party. Kathy is incensed, and Grant beats Phil so badly that he has to go to hospital, Phil undergoes surgery, which stirs remorse in Grant. He pressures Phil into blaming Sharon for their affair and Grant forces her to leave Walford, Phil and Grant make peace but things between them are not the same. Kathy and Phil eventually sort out their differences, marry, and have a son, Ben, making Phil feel neglected and depressed so he turns to alcohol and this makes him abusive and neglectful towards Kathy and Ben, so Kathy takes Ben and moves out
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Sonia Fowler
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Sonia Ann Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Natalie Cassidy. Her first appearance was on 2 December 1993 and she departed on 2 February 2007 and she returned briefly in 2010 along with other members of the Jackson family, and re-appeared in the soap from 8 to 18 February 2010 and again in January 2011. Sonia returned as a permanent character on 14 January 2014, as part of a storyline saw her mother Carol develop breast cancer. Sonia is the first character in opera history to tackle the issue of the BRCA gene. Cassidy took maternity leave in 2016 and Sonia left on 20 September 2016 for her job in Kettering. Sonia made a guest appearance via computer on 25 December 2016, trumpet-playing Sonia Jackson arrives in Albert Square in 1993 with the rest of her family. The third of Carol Jacksons four children, Sonia was the result of her mothers one-night stand with Terry Cant, following a brief romance with an Italian exchange student, Enrico di Clemente, in 1999, Sonia sleeps with Martin Fowler in 2000 in a moment of vulnerability. She puts this behind her and begins dating Jamie Mitchell, Sonia is stunned to learn that she is in labour on 26 October 2000 and gives birth to Martins daughter, she puts down the weight gain to overeating rather than pregnancy. Baby Chloe is subsequently given up for adoption, despite protests from Martins mother Pauline, however, Sonia later becomes obsessed with her daughter and abducts her, locking herself in her house with the baby. Despite pleas from Rebeccas adoptive parents, it is Sonias step-grandmother, Dot, Sonia and Jamie get engaged, but due to Jamies fling with Zoe Slater and constant rowing, the relationship ends. Sonia begins dating Gus Smith, who plans to propose, Sonia helps him, nursing him through his injuries and they decide to marry but their happiness is short-lived as Martin Fowler accidentally knocks Jamie down in December 2002. Sonia keeps a vigil and is with Jamie when he dies on Christmas Day. Sonia finds it hard to let go of Jamie or her anger at Martin and they slowly grow closer and feelings develop into love, they elope in 2004. Sonia begins nursing training and she and Martin live with Pauline, only months into the marriage, Martin gets unwittingly involved with a stalker, Sarah Cairns, who tries to ruin it. This culminates in Sarah holding Sonia and Martin hostage and stabbing Martin, in 2005, Sonia and Martin face further upset when they discover that their daughters adoptive parents have died in a car crash. They visit Rebeccas guardian, Margaret Wilson, hiding their identity but when Margaret realises who they are. Pauline also interferes and visits Rebecca with Martin, Martin is heartbroken when his marriage ends and the situation is complicated further by Rebecca, who, on Margarets request, is spending more time at the Fowlers. Margaret decides to make the Fowlers Rebeccas legal guardians but does not include Sonia when she finds out about her lesbian fling, Margaret dies and Martin takes custody of Rebecca and Pauline tries to stop Sonia having any contact with Rebecca
33.
Robbie Jackson
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Robert Robbie Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Dean Gaffney. The character was introduced in 1993, but axed in 2003 by executive producer Louise Berridge and he made brief returns in 2004 and 2010 for two family weddings and again on 22 September 2015 to tie in with the exit of his on-screen mother, Carol Jackson. Robbie made his appearance on 2 October 2015. Robbie was the product of a romance between teenagers Gary Bolton and Carol Branning. Robbie and his half sister Bianca saw many surrogate father figures during their childhood, Carol later entered a relationship with the steady and reliable Alan Jackson in 1987. They became parents to Billie in 1988 and not long afterwards Alan became a figure to Robbie and his sisters. Robbie arrives in Albert Square in 1993 with the rest of the Jackson clan, initially a troublesome teen, Robbie has little success at school and is frequently in trouble for his behaviour, along with his friend Kevin. In November 1994, the find a dog which Robbie names Wellard. Robbie manages to persuade the owner to relinquish care to him, after he discovers that Wellard was being neglected. As he ages, Robbie becomes more responsible, but has little success in anything he chooses to do. He has several careers in Albert Square including radio control for the Evans mini cab company, waiter, a job as manager in the video rental store. Robbie is generally unsuccessful with women and he has a crush on Sarah Hills and is responsible for taking her virginity in 1997. Although Sarah initiated the intercourse, she is unable to cope with what has occurred and runs away, Ted assaults Robbie, he is hospitalised and has to undergo a spleenectomy, before Sarah returns to reveal the truth. Robbie forms a more serious relationship with Kerry Skinner in 2000 and they get engaged, however, when Robbie discovers that Kerry has cheated on him, the engagement ends. Robbie decides to track down his father, Gary Bolton in 2001. He finds him in Portsmouth, and discovers he has a half brother, the meeting ends up being a disappointment for Robbie, when he discovers Gary had left his own mother to be with his half-brothers mother. He leaves angrily, but Gary later traces Robbie to Walford and gives him a cheque which allows him to travel around India. When Robbie returns to Walford and meets young widow Nita Mistry, they begin a slow-burning relationship, despite Nitas initial reticence
34.
Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)
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William Billy Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Perry Fenwick, who made his first appearance on 2 November 1998. Billy was introduced by producer Matthew Robinson as a guest character facilitating the introduction of Jamie Mitchell to the show, in the storyline, Billy is Jamies abusive uncle and guardian, and Jamie is taken away from Billy by his relative Phil Mitchell. Billy was brought back to the serial on 2 August 1999 and Fenwick was offered a longer-term contract, Billy has been described as a runt of a man whos a catalyst for trouble. However, during his time on EastEnders, he has developed from a bully and fiend into a kind, devoted, caring, frequently portrayed as a small-time criminal, Billy is a luckless character who often struggles financially. His most prominent storylines include two failed marriages and having a daughter born with Downs syndrome, Fenwick filmed his 1000th episode on 6 August 2010. Billy initially becomes involved in criminal scams with Phil and his brother Grant Mitchell, Billys relatives see him as little more than a lackey, and he is frequently told that he is an embarrassment to the Mitchell name. Billy finds an ally in Steve Owen, who uses Billy as a boy in numerous criminal activities including drug-dealing. Billy works at Steves club, E20, and is given a 1% share of the club for his services, Billy falls for Janine Butcher, but she is only interested in his money, and when that runs out, she leaves him. He proposes to Little Mo by spelling out MARRY ME on her plate with alphabet spaghetti, and they get engaged. When Trevor hears this, he kidnaps Little Mo and his baby son, Billy and Little Mo marry on Christmas Day, the same day that Jamie dies of severe injuries after being knocked down by a car. Eleven months later, Little Mo is raped by a man she thought was a friend, Little Mo later discovers she is pregnant as a result of the assault. Billy presses her to have an abortion, but Little Mo refuses and leaves Walford to clear her head, returning with baby Freddie, to see Graham convicted of rape. Billy and Little Mo reunite, but Billy confesses that he cannot love Freddie and thinks of Graham whenever he sees him, Billy confronts one of his abusers from the childrens home he was placed in as a child, Ernie Johnson, now a pensioner and living in Walford. Billy breaks into Ernies home to confront him over the abuse, Billy starts a relationship with newcomer Honey Edwards, whom he manages during her spell as a model. The relationship prospers, despite disapproval from Honeys father Jack. Honey falls pregnant and accepts Billys marriage proposal and their wedding is postponed when Honey is hospitalised, they reschedule but the second ceremony goes awry due to a practical joke played on Billy during his stag night. Billys aunt Peggy Mitchell then arranges a surprise wedding, Billy and Honey just complete their vows when Honey goes into labour. She delivers a girl, Janet Mitchell, but the Mitchells are devastated to discover she has Downs syndrome, Honey rejects her baby, she goes into depression, contemplating infanticide and demands Janet be put up for adoption
