EastEnders is set to introduce a new disabled character portrayed by former Grange Hill actress Lisa Hammond.

The 31-year-old will play tough market trader Donna Yates on Bridge Street, who declares war on stall rivals Kat and Bianca.

Lisa Hammond as Donna Yates
© BBC
Lisa Hammond as Donna Yates

Despite the character not originally intended to be in a wheelchair, Hammond succeeded in her audition for the role among able-bodied actors.

Hammond has a restricted growth condition and is the second regular disabled character to appear on Albert Square, after Adam Best (David Proud) from 2009 to 2010.

"I'm really excited to join EastEnders," the actress said. "Donna is a bit of a handful but they are always the most fun characters - it feels good to be bad."

EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins described her character as "flinty, aggressive and difficult".

"Donna's not an easy character to like at first," he admitted. "As we get to know her better, we will discover a funny, loyal but also fragile woman underneath.

"Lisa is a brilliantly comic and sharp actress. We have been trying to get her into the EastEnders cast for a long time so I am delighted."

Hammond started her acting career in Grange Hill at the age of 13 and has also appeared in Psychoville, Bleak House and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.


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