Eastenders General News Thread

Former EastEnders star Chris Parker has reportedly been working with ex-criminals in a bid to stop them re-offending.

The actor, who played Walford's Spencer Moon, is thought to have taken on a mentoring role with charity Supporting Others Through Volunteer Action (SOVA).

According to the News of the World, the 26-year-old's voluntary commitments see him paying regular visits to young people who have recently left prison.

One of Parker's mentees told the newspaper: "The fact Chris has been a successful actor in the past inspires many people to stay out of trouble. And he tells us that doing it also keeps his feet on the ground. He is very popular with myself and a lot of the young people he works with."

Parker is said to be juggling his charity efforts with regular work as an actor and TV presenter.

A source said: "He is still doing stuff for the Disney Channel and has recently finished filming a British comedy film."

EastEnders star Melissa Suffield has revealed that she would like Lucy Beale to get even nastier in the months ahead.

Speaking to Inside Soap, the actress suggested that Lucy should get worse by becoming more like dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and late mum Cindy (Michelle Collins).

Asked whether she would want Lucy to take on Cindy's traits, Suffield replied: "I would absolutely love that! I think Lucy is a different type of bad to Cindy, though, as she's got the potential to be more malicious and scheming.

"She's got a lot of Ian in her, too, so she's always calculating and wanting to make money. If you take all the bad parts of those two and stick them into one child, then Lucy could even prove to be the ultimate villain."

The 17-year-old added that she is not a fan of Lucy's softer side because she finds her bitchy moments more interesting.

She said: "I can't bear it when she has those little moments of being nice. I sit there thinking, 'No, no, get mean again'. That's the real Lucy, and the bit that's the most fun to play. It's so far removed from the real world and I absolutely love it. She's like one of those evil Disney villains!"

EASTENDER Lacey Turner is aiming to become a stage star - and could land the role of Eliza Doolittle.
Lacey, 22, who has played Stacey Branning for five years, is taking singing and elocution lessons in a bid to land a top West End role.

Pals reckon she'd be ideal as Eliza - the Cockney flower girl given speech lessons so she can pass as a lady in My Fair Lady.

One said: "Lacey wants to hit the ground running but not many lead roles would suit because she looks so young.

"Eliza would be perfect because of the Cockney accent."

Lacey quits Albert Square later this year.

Kara Tointon has revealed that she would like to return to EastEnders.

The actress, who was written out of the soap last year, has starred in a number of pantomimes since her departure.

She told RTÉ: "It was a fantastic job, the best ever, and a rare opportunity in terms of acting. I'm so glad my character wasn't killed off.

"At first it seemed like a holiday when I left but it didn't take long before I started to miss it all."

However, Tointon - who played Dawn Swann - did admit that her character was not involved in any exciting plots in the year before her exit.

"I'd been in the show for four years when I left last June. Dawn wasn't doing much at that point so I suppose it was a good time for her to go."

The star previously revealed her wish to return to the show at some point in the future.

Soap re-shoots Lucas plot
SOURCE: THE SUN ONLINE 3/6/10

EASTENDERS bosses have decided to re-shoot parts of a storyline involving Lucas Johnson after the recent murders of prostitutes in Bradford.

During episodes scheduled to be broadcast next week, the preacher, played by Don Gilet, was to be seen visiting a red light district and picking up a girl named Jade.

He was then to drive her to a remote location and force her to pray for forgiveness, before seemingly strangling her with his tie when she attempted to run away.

The soap will now change aspects of the story after PhD student Stephen Griffiths, 40, was charged the murders of three women.

A spokeswoman from the soap said: "EastEnders storylines are written many months in advance and any similarity to real life events is coincidental.

"However, on this occasion, to ensure we do not cause distress to the families involved in the recent tragic events in Bradford we have decided to re-shoot some parts of the storyline involving Lucas Johnson."

Preeya Kalidas has announced details of her debut single.

The former EastEnders star, who signed to Mercury Records at the end of 2009, will release 'Shimmy' on July 26.

The track features a rap from East London-based MC Mumzy Stranger.

"When we were in the studio and we started laying it down, building it, it just became so sassy. It's total escapism, a real brew of sexiness and ethnicity," Kalidas recalled in a press release.

"Having Mumzy on the record has given it a real energy and I hope people will really be able to relate to it."

'Shimmy' was written by Celetia Martin and Alex James and produced by Kalle Engstrom, who has previously crafted hits for Celine Dion and The Saturdays.

Actress Danniella Westbrook will once again return to EastEnders as Sam Mitchell, Digital Spy can confirm.

The 36-year-old - who recently finished fourth in this year's series of Dancing On Ice - makes her comeback in the summer for a handful of episodes.

Little is known about the circumstances surrounding Sam's reappearance in Walford, other than that she is released from prison harbouring grudges and "a big secret".

It is thought her return will coincide with Barbara Windsor's departure as Peggy Mitchell, after 15 years in the role.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood this afternoon told Digital Spy: "When Sam Mitchell is in Albert Square, trouble is never far behind. We last saw her heading for a stretch in prison and ostracised by her family. When she returns on her release, it's with a lot of grudges and a big secret."

He continued: "Danniella brings a lot of fun and mischief to the role of Sam and I'm looking forward to having her back where she belongs."

Westbrook reprised her role as Sam in April last year. On screen, the Mitchells attempted to hide her from the police but the law quickly caught up with her when she was arrested for trying to flee the country again.

While rekindling her romance with Ricky, Sam also had an affair with Jack Branning. She then became embroiled with Archie, who convinced her to skip bail and ultimately cause the Mitchells to lose The Vic.

She made a surprise return on Christmas Day ahead of Archie's murder and quickly became a suspect. However, on hearing her mother Peggy and brother Phil's plan to use her as a scapegoat, Sam turned herself in to the police.

In a final showdown with her mother, Sam rejected her mother and made it clear that she had no interest in the Mitchell name.

Maybe her reappearance will have something to do with Minty leaving. We know that he's in love with her, and it would be nice for him to have a happy ending.

Preeya Kalidas has predicted that people will be "surprised" when they hear the quality of her debut album.

The former EastEnders actress releases her first single 'Shimmy' on July 26, while the track's parent disc is expected to follow later in the year.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror about her musical ambitions, Kalidas commented: "It's been years since a soap actress has managed to make that transition into the pop charts. But I've worked hard.

"I think people will be surprised with the album. I'm getting great feedback."

'Shimmy' features a rap from hip-hop star Mumzy Stranger. Kalidas has previously described the song as "so sassy" and a "real brew of sexiness and ethnicity".

The 29-year-old bowed out of EastEnders earlier this year and is currently signed to Mercury Records.

IT looks like the wedding is RON - as the Mitchells go shopping for a bride gown.


Ronnie, played by Samantha Womack, takes her sister Roxy (Rita Simons), evil mum Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) and auntie Peggy (Barbara Windsor) with her to shop Magic Moments in scenes to air in EastEnders later this summer.
She proposed to Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) at his hospital bedside after he was shot and left unable to walk. She gave him a ring and told him they'd wed once he could get on one knee and walk down the aisle.
He's currently in a clinic trying to do just that. But weddings rarely go smoothly on the BBC1 soap - will she do a Ronner?


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0qEzc94xr