Eastenders General News Thread

EASTENDERS star Cliff Parisi is expecting a baby with a BBC production assistant he met just three months ago.

Cliff, 48, who plays loveable garage mechanic Minty Peterson, is also getting married to pretty Tara Wyer after a whirlwind romance.

The pair met on the set of BBC1 show Let's Dance, where Cliff strutted his stuff for Comic Relief earlier this year.

Pals say the actor and the production assistant immediately hit it off.

A friend said: "They are so happy - Cliff wasted no time in getting down on one knee to pop the question."

Tara has moved in with the actor at his home in Highgate, North London, and they plan to wed later this year.

There must be something in the water at the BBC1 soap. Cliff's co-star Steve McFadden, 50, who plays Phil Mitchell, had a baby girl with his new partner last month.

And Jo Joyner, 31, who plays Tanya Branning, revealed she is to give birth to TWINS.

Bizarrely, dad-to-be Cliff's character Minty is one of the names in the frame to be revealed as the father of Heather Trott's baby.

It comes after Coronation Street stars Simon Gregson and Samia Smith also announced they are expecting babies later this year.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ice-Minty.html

I wonder if Steve real baby will appear as baby Pickle when Heather gives birth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chloe O'brien

I wonder if Steve real baby will appear as baby Pickle when Heather gives birth.

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wont the baby be a bit too old though by then?

Former 'EastEnders' star Michelle Collins has said that she has auditioned for a part in 'Desperate Housewives'.


The actress, who played the role of Cindy Beale in the soap revealed the news on BBC One's 'Breakfast'.


Collins said: "I've got an American visa now so I've spent quite a bit of time there."


Advertisement"I went to a casting for Desperate Housewives, but I haven't got it yet," she said.


"As I've told people about it, they're amazed and have been telling me that someone like Cindy from 'EastEnders' would be great for that show. I have to remind them I'm not Cindy, I'm Michelle."


"I'm just doing what a lot of British actors are doing there at the moment - the 'LA thing'. I'd like to think there's been interest in me."


"But I'm a single parent so obviously that would be my biggest consideration before going for anything in America."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

EASTENDERS star Cliff Parisi is expecting a baby with a BBC production assistant he met just three months ago.

Cliff, 48, who plays loveable garage mechanic Minty Peterson, is also getting married to pretty Tara Wyer after a whirlwind romance.

The pair met on the set of BBC1 show Let's Dance, where Cliff strutted his stuff for Comic Relief earlier this year.

Pals say the actor and the production assistant immediately hit it off.

A friend said: "They are so happy - Cliff wasted no time in getting down on one knee to pop the question."

Tara has moved in with the actor at his home in Highgate, North London, and they plan to wed later this year.

There must be something in the water at the BBC1 soap. Cliff's co-star Steve McFadden, 50, who plays Phil Mitchell, had a baby girl with his new partner last month.

And Jo Joyner, 31, who plays Tanya Branning, revealed she is to give birth to TWINS.

Bizarrely, dad-to-be Cliff's character Minty is one of the names in the frame to be revealed as the father of Heather Trott's baby.

It comes after Coronation Street stars Simon Gregson and Samia Smith also announced they are expecting babies later this year.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ice-Minty.html

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i think sometimes you can be too old to become parents! i feel to old now and im 39

EastEnders star Kara Tointon has insisted that she is happy to "move on" from Walford.

The 25-year-old actress recently filmed her final scenes as Dawn Swann after being axed from the BBC One soap earlier this year.

Reflecting on her final months at Albert Square, Tointon told the Sunday Mirror: "Last year was non-existent for me on screen, so I'm ready to move on. Since having baby Summer two years ago, my character didn't really do anything - I just ordered a sandwich every now and again."

She added: "I never expected to be there for as long as four years. I thought two, max, but they kept me on. It was so emotional filming my final scenes. Normally there are a hundred more scenes to do - you're never really done - so I made myself block out the fact this was my last one."

Tointon also confirmed that there is no truth in rumours linking her to the next series of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which last year starred her boyfriend Joe Swash.

On reports that she will appear on Strictly Come Dancing, she commented: "I think every year they have a lot of people wanting to do it - they have people calling them. I'd like to think they'd have me. But who knows?"

Tointon has previously admitted that she felt "heartbroken" after being dropped by her soap bosses.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...-existent.html

i think we all need a change now and again im currantly coming out of my job that ive been doing for 2 & half years and going into a new one because i want a change dont get me wrong i love my job and sad to leave but i just need something new in my life

FORMER EastEnders star Deepak Verma has slated the show - claiming its current Asian family is unrealistic.
Deepak, who played the BBC1 soap's market trader Sanjay Kapoor in the 1990s, said the Masoods were "two-dimensional and ill-conceived" with "stupid clothes and accents".

Deepak, 40, praised rival ITV1's Coronation Street and Jimmi Harkishin's "brilliant" portrayal of Asian Dev Alahan. He said: "He's a dodgy womanising sleazebag. He's Indian but that's got nothing to do with it. He's just a brilliant actor."

A Beeb spokeswoman said: "It's a shame Deepak feels that way.

"But the Masood family is hugely popular with EastEnders viewers."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ts-Asians.html

Veteran actor Harry Towb has died at the age of 83, it has been announced.

Most recently, he was seen in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, playing Janine Butcher's fiancé David for a two-episode stint in December last year.

RIP Harry

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...s-aged-83.html

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has revealed that he feels happier than ever following the birth of his fourth child.

The actor, who plays Phil Mitchell in the BBC One soap, and girlfriend Rachel Sidwell welcomed their newborn daughter at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London yesterday.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...baby-girl.html

Congratulations to them :cheer:

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has revealed that he feels happier than ever following the birth of his fourth child.

The actor, who plays hardman Phil Mitchell on the BBC One soap, welcomed the arrival of baby girl Amelie Tinkerbell with his girlfriend Rachel Sidwell last month.

:confused: I thought they had not named the baby yet but now they have. I like Amelie, not sure about Tinkerbell.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...-baby-joy.html

From Today's Sun

EASTENDERS star Samantha Janus burst into tears yesterday after her father was found hanged in his bathroom.

Sorrow ... Samantha arrives at the house with
husband Mark Womak

Sam, who plays Ronnie Mitchell, visited his flat with actor husband Mark Womack and was supported by a neighbour as she took away a few belongings.

The 36-year-old was too upset to talk. Mark said: "She asks to be left alone to grieve with her family."


Mr Janus, 60, was believed to have depression. He had a strained relationship with Sam, and three months ago he told how being cut out of magazine snaps of her wedding was "like a dagger to the heart".

The former songwriter was found in the one-bedroom council flat in Brighton by a worried pal on Saturday afternoon.

Neighbour John Austin, 63, said: "As far as we know he hanged himself.

"He was a nice chap and I got on with him. I saw him coming back with his dog on Friday evening. He seemed quite bright even though he had heart trouble."

Another neighbour, Mark Berridge, 49, said: "He told me he was going to hospital to get results on his heart. When he got back I asked him how he got on and he said he was fine.


"For all we know he might have known his illness was going to kill him and decided to take the easiest way out."

Last night a pair of wellies, a walking stick and a blue bicycle were outside the flat while his black 4x4 was next to the four-story block.

A girlfriend called Rita was believed to be looking after his beloved dalmatian.

Mr Janus - brother of George Best's ex-wife Angie - walked out on Sam's mother Diane when Sam was six and flitted in and out of her life.

She invited him to her London wedding with Mark, 48 - but said he could not walk her down the aisle or make a speech. None of the pictures which then appeared in OK! magazine showed Mr Janus.

He said at the time: "It was like a dagger to the heart. The whole of Sam's side of the family, including myself and her mother, have been completely left out of all the photos.

"They show only Mark's side of the family. It's like we weren't there - we don't exist.


"I've been completely snubbed in such an open fashion.

"I can't help but think that the magazine pictures were of my daughter's design."

OK! confirmed the bride chose what pictures went in.

Poor Sam :(

poor Sam, regardless of her relationship with her Dad she must be devasted by the way he died.

Thats terrible :( my sympathies go to her.

From Digital Spy: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...-pay-cuts.html

EastEnders stars have reportedly been told by BBC executives to choose between taking a 15% pay cut or having less time on screen.

According to The Mirror, Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden, who star as Peggy and Phil Mitchell, will see their £360,000 salaries reduced by around £54,000. Meanwhile, Pam St Clement (Pat Evans) will have £49,500 knocked off her £330,000 yearly income and Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, will earn £263,500 annually rather than £310,000.

An insider on the soap said: "Everybody realises there is a recession on and everybody has to do their bit. But some of the stars feel like they are being bullied into taking a pay cut. The licence fee has stayed the same and the same money is coming in.

"Yet the people who bring in the viewers are being told they have to take a cut. It is not fair and a lot of people are unhappy. Everyone who comes in can't work on other shows so they can't cut their hours and pick up work elsewhere."

However, a BBC source said: "Most of the cast understand the reason behind the cuts and just appreciate having work in these difficult times when so many people are struggling financially."

Earlier this week, Jonathan Creek actor Alan Davies revealed that he was accepting a pay cut. Other celebrities are also seeing their salaries fall.

How about a 15% pay cut and less time on the show for the Posion Dwarf and her adorable son.:rotfl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has revealed that he feels happier than ever following the birth of his fourth child.

The actor, who plays hardman Phil Mitchell on the BBC One soap, welcomed the arrival of baby girl Amelie Tinkerbell with his girlfriend Rachel Sidwell last month.

:confused: I thought they had not named the baby yet but now they have. I like Amelie, not sure about Tinkerbell.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...-baby-joy.html

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The ex-partner of EastEnders actor Steve McFadden has announced that she is heartbroken following their break-up.

Yesterday, it was revealed that McFadden (Phil Mitchell) had been dumped by Dr Rachel Sidwell, the mother of his 2-month-old daughter Amelie Tinkerbell.

Sidwell has now reportedly told The Sun that she feels McFadden "can't be trusted".

She continued: "I'm in pieces. I'm too upset to talk about it."

Expecting to receive news from reporters, Sidwell then added: "What's he done now? Whatever it is, it won't surprise me."

Sidwell is said to have reunited with her surgeon husband James Green in the aftermath of the split.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...eartbreak.html

I wonder what happened there, so suddenly

how many kids has Steve?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lizann

how many kids has Steve?

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Pretty sure its 4 now

Yes, he has 4 children

SOURCE: THE SUN ONLINE 20/11/09
EASTENDERS scripts for the Christmas Day specials have been stolen - sparking fears the plotlines could be leaked on the net.

The two top-secret manuscripts were taken during a break-in at the writer's home.
They were on a laptop nicked with other valuables.
The woman writer, who asked The Sun not to identify her, was devastated.
BBC executives are now worried their full plot details will be revealed.
The two Christmas Day episodes are usually EastEnders' highest-rating programmes and are at the heart of BBC1's festive schedule.
Five years ago, six months' of scripts were stolen in a similar raid.
Show boss Diederick Santer said last night: "We're keen to get this laptop back as it contains all the twists and turns of our exciting EastEnders Christmas."
The episodes were filmed several weeks ago and scripts handed to the stars have since been destroyed.
One major storyline from the soap's Christmas specials has already been leaked.

Spoiler:

It will see Archie Mitchell, played by Larry Lamb, killed in The Queen Vic.

--->I was gutted to read this, I don't like reading spoilers!!! Especially not Xmas ones :(

EastEnders' historic live whodunit episode hit by 'flu bug' to Lacey Turner

EastEnders' historic live episode has been thrown into chaos – after lead actress Lacey Turner was hit by suspected flu.

Lacey, who plays Stacey Slater, is supposed to have one of the main roles in the soap’s big night to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary.

But yesterday’s final dress rehearsal was cancelled after 21-year-old Lacey was sent home.

A source said: “She was croaking at cast members, saying ‘I can’t speak’.

“Lacey is always such a professional and she doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardise the live show.”

Bosses must decide whether to re-write tonight’s live episode to involve less of Lacey or use scenes which have been recorded during rehearsals in case the show has problems during broadcast.

The source added: “Fans will have to tune in to see if she makes it.”

SOURCE: THE MIRROR ONLINE 19/2/10

--->I hope she manages to appear tonight, I'm a big fan of hers.

This is the same post I have read in 3 different threads lol

Yes and I got mine closed:p

Awww :lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

This is the same post I have read in 3 different threads lol

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Sorry, I didn't realise :(

SOURCE - THE SUN 23/2/10 By Ally Ross.
Ian Beale - "If I could, I would like to do it all over again". Yep. You, the production crew and the rest of the cast, Ian old friend. Especially J-J-Jack Branning who fluffed his way into my affections on Friday night, and prompted one of the most surprising exchanges in soap history. "You've helped the flack from the plack, Bradley, and held it against the public. We all 'ave".....Off-script actor Scott Maslen who at one point, yelped: "Bradley, you better not what's he, what's she what's it? She covering his key. She knows abaht it!"......"I'm the only person here who knows what they're doing."
---> hilarious. Poor Scott!

:rotfl: Aww, that's gonna haunt him forever.

The older brother of EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer has been handed a five-year jail sentence for carrying out a robbery at a jewellers.

According to The Mirror, Albert Harris, 42, had targeted a shop in Clifton, Bristol, where he snatched £23,000 worth of goods after threatening two female workers with a knife.

Reports suggest that Harris's face was captured by the store's CCTV cameras during the incident last September, which helped police to track him down and arrest him within days.

Appearing at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, Harris pleaded guilty to robbery and carrying an offensive weapon. His sentence will be cut by the 169 days he spent in custody while awaiting trial.

Harris has previously spoken openly about his troubled personal life. In a 2008 interview, he explained that he had been jailed more than ten times after turning to crime to feed a heroin addiction.

Earlier this month, the brother of Palmer's screen husband Sid Owen (Ricky Butcher) was sentenced to eight years behind bars for being involved in a cocaine smuggling case.

FORMER EastEnders babe Michelle Ryan is set to bare all as a stripper in a new flick - and she's taking pole dancing lessons to prepare for it.
The busty brunette, who is most well known for playing troubled Zoe Slater in the BBC1 soap, said it's "great fun" honing her moves for the racy role in new movie A Girl Walks into a Bar.

Michelle, 25, explained: "I play a stripper and had to go to a pole-dancing class in LA to prepare.

"I have so much respect for the dancers. It is hard work."

But the Bionic Woman star did admit she ended up covered in bruises as she attempted the trickier routines.

We're sure it will be worth the hard graft...



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0ji12mWgC

Aston Merrygold has reportedly reignited his romance with former EastEnders star Louisa Lytton.

The pair appeared close as they sat together in a corner of London's Mayfair Club on Friday night, according to The Daily Star Sunday.

A source said: "Aston and Louisa arrived together at 1am. Aston got a table covered in vodka bottles and invited people to join them.

"But while most of their friends danced Aston and Louisa spent the night cosying up in the corner of the club."

The 22-year-old JLS star dated Lytton before rising to fame on The X Factor.

Former Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon has revealed that she would love to land a role on EastEnders.

The Dancing On Ice champion explained that she dreams of being introduced to the Walford soap as a new love interest for Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).

Speaking to the Daily Star, Tamaddon commented: "I think EastEnders needs a few more Northerners.

"I'd like the part of Billy Mitchell's girlfriend. It's about time he got another one and I love snogging scenes."

Tamaddon quit her role as Emmerdale's Delilah Dingle in 2007 after two years in the part. She is currently busy working on the Dancing On Ice live tour.

EastEnders star Nitin Ganatra has revealed that he was thrilled to explore Masood Ahmed's "darker" side in his latest Walford storyline.

Next week, the actor's character receives a huge shock when he spots son Syed (Marc Elliott) in a passionate embrace with Christian Clarke (John Partridge).

After spending time wondering what his next move should be, Masood tries to warn the secret lovers to keep their distance from each other without explicitly revealing what he knows.

Speaking to DS about the plot, Ganatra explained: "All along, Masood's saying predatory things to Syed and Christian, teasing them about knowing. So in a very subtle way, he lets them both know that he's aware of what's going on and they'd better stop."

He continued: "It's a lovely thing to play. The New Year episodes with Nina [Wadia], Johnny and Marc were so good and so explosive, I was thinking, 'How do you top that?'

"What I love about Masood, though, is that he's a very flexible person. You'll get a different response from him in almost every situation. He's not predicable. He has his lighter moments and then his darker moments. It gives a lot of colour to play with."

Following Masood's surprise discovery, it is not long until the rest of Syed's family learns the truth about his sexuality in much-anticipated reveal scenes.

An EastEnders storyline helped to convict a paedophile in Devon, it has been reported.

Frederick Hanmer, 55, was found guilty of four counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday.

His victim, who is now in her 20s, contacted police after watching an EastEnders storyline about a paedophile. Hanmer, of Ashburton, Devon, first abused the girl when she was seven, jurors heard.

According to the BBC, the victim remained silent for more than a decade before being given the confidence to speak out by the BBC soap's storyline.

"It has lifted a lot off me. I'm relieved, which has made me happier. Before I spoke out, I was very angry and bit off people's heads for practically no reason," she said.

Speaking after the case, Detective Sgt. Neil Ralph, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "The victim saw the episode of EastEnders and it was like what had happened to her. It gave her the impetus to come forward."

EastEnders star Nina Wadia has revealed that she would love Ramon Tikaram to land another Walford stint.

Although viewers have not yet seen the last of Tikaram's character Qadim Shah, the actor has already filmed his final scenes with the BBC drama.

In an interview with Inside Soap, Wadia named Qadim as the perfect new love interest for her character Zainab Masood should the battleaxe's marriage to Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) fall apart in the future.

With Masood now fully aware of his son Syed's (Marc Elliott) sexuality, his relationship with Zainab could hit rocky ground if he ever discovers that she knew the truth months ago.

Wadia explained: "Masood might well turn his back on her for good if he discovers Zainab has lied to him. There's a genuine love between those two characters, so it would be a great pity if they were to lose that."

Laughing, she continued: "I think it would be perfect if Qadim came back to Walford and had an affair with Zainab. When Ramon Tikaram comes in, all the girls swoon over him because he's so gorgeous.

EastEnders star Rita Simons has admitted that her husband cannot bear to watch any of her romantic scenes.

The 33-year-old actress, who plays landlady Roxy Mitchell in the serial, revealed that hairdresser Theo Silverston is jealous of her alter ego's on-screen relationships.

She told Bang Showbiz: "My husband absolutely hates it if I'm kissing other men. In fact, he turns away and goes, 'La la la la la!'

"I always try to make him watch, but he won't even discuss it. He'd also like to think I was a virgin until we met."

Simons added: "The biggest misconception about Roxy is that she's a slag. Please tell me who I've kissed in the show, who's still here? Jack? Oh yeah. He isn't the best kisser though - that would be Dr Al, Adam Croasdell."

Lily Allen has admitted that she occasionally cries over storylines in EastEnders.

The 24-year-old singer claimed that she often becomes emotional about aspects of life she has "no control over".

She told The Times: "My songs are definitely a way of communicating feelings but not about things I feel very emotional about.

"I get upset about really stupid things, about EastEnders. I cry about things I have no control over, like the way I look or how much weight I’ve put on. I rarely cry about relationships with other people."

Former EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman has claimed that the soap world is similar to what life was like on "old-style" Hollywood movie sets.

The actress admitted that she often used to draw comparisons to classic films when shooting scenes as Walford's Chrissie Watts, who is best remembered for murdering husband Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham) in the programme's 20th anniversary instalment.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about serial drama, Oberman explained: "The way the system works is that you're stuck in this studio a long way from anywhere, and you're living, eating and breathing the job.

"You're being driven around on the studio buggy and you're working with the same people. There really is something quite old-style Hollywood studio about it. It kept making me think about what it must have been like to be living on the lot at MGM, waiting to see what your next script was going to be."

She continued: "The way soaps are written is often quite melodramatic - particularly with the storylines I had. They were very theatrical, and there's something quite film noir-ish about murdering your husband. I often used to think, 'Wow - how would Bette Davis approach this?'"

Oberman is currently promoting her new one-off Radio 4 play, which tells the story of the resentment which allegedly grew between Davis and Joan Crawford when they filmed their 1962 horror movie Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?.

Ricky Groves has admitted that he has finally come to terms with his split from wife Hannah Waterman.

The former EastEnders stars, who played Walford's Garry Hobbs and Laura Beale, announced their break-up in January after three years of marriage.

Speaking in a new interview with Hello magazine, Groves confessed that he now understands why Waterman chose to end their relationship.

The 42-year-old explained: "It pains me to say it but at the time it was a real jolt, the worst thing that had ever happened to me. But I've had time to think about it and, as sad as it is, maybe our relationship had become routine and we had grown apart.

"I think I'd just been putting things off, telling myself it would be all right, but then it got to the stage where it wasn't all right anymore."

Groves added that he is back on good terms with Waterman and believes they will "always remain friends".