Eastenders General News Thread

**Perdita** · 01-04-2012, 14:26

A second man has been arrested in connection with the death of Gemma McCluskie.

The 35-year-old was arrested on Friday (March 30). He was released on bail yesterday until a date in May, the BBC reports.

The torso of the former EastEnders actress was discovered in Regent's Canal, near Broadway Market, east London, on March 6.

Her brother Tony was charged with her murder on March 10 following his arrest.

More body parts belonging to Gemma, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC One soap, have subsequently been found in the canal.

Former co-stars including Dean Gaffney, Brooke Kinsella and Joe Swash have all paid tribute to Gemma since her death.

**alan45** · 08-04-2012, 14:42

EastEnders star Chucky Venn has revealed plans to start an exercise club with his co-stars.

The former Footballers' Wives actor, who was cast as Ray Dixon earlier this year, said that the likes of Patsy Palmer (Bianca Butcher) and Tameka Empson (Kim Fox) will join him on a training session.

"I don't have as much time to train now, but I have promised a couple of my castmates that we'll hit the gym together," Venn told Inside Soap.

"Both Patsy Palmer and Tameka Empson are up for it - whenever they're ready. I'm a tough taskmaster - I believe in hard work and dedication! I apply that to everything."

Speaking of his character Ray Dixon's past as a soldier, he added: "I'd like to see Ray's past catch up with him, in the form of an ex-comrade coming to the Square.

"It'd also be interesting to find out who the mother of his daughter Sasha is."

**Perdita** · 19-04-2012, 15:15

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has signed up for another pantomime.

The actor, best known as Walford hardman Phil Mitchell, will appear in Aladdin at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford later this year, News Shopper reports.

McFadden is taking on the villainous role of Abanazar in the production, which will run between December 8, 2012 and January 6, 2013.

Speaking of the project, McFadden commented: "I am delighted to be playing the part of Abanazar in Dartford this year. Playing the pantomime bad guy is such great fun, and there are lots of opportunities to interact with the audience during the show.

"The Orchard in Dartford has a great reputation - I'm really looking forward to playing there this Christmas."

Jonathan Kiley, executive producer for Qdos Entertainment, added: "As a former British Soap Awards 'Villain of the Year', Steve is certainly well qualified to lead the cast as the pantomime bad guy.

"With 3D sequences, this production has all of the elements of traditional family pantomime that Dartford audiences have come to expect, but also has the added element of an array of outstanding and unmissable visual effects."

McFadden appeared as Captain Hook in a Peter Pan pantomime last Christmas. His EastEnders absence was explained as Phil spent time in jail in the climax to his stalker storyline.

**Perdita** · 24-04-2012, 06:44

EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt has announced that he will appear in a pantomime this Christmas.

The actor, who has played Ian Beale since EastEnders began, revealed via his Twitter account that he has been cast as Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Woodyatt tweeted: "Really pleased that I will be playing Captain Hook in the Christmas pantomime this year at the Beck Theatre, Hayes."

He later tweeted that this would be his first pantomime appearance in 18 years.

Woodyatt's fellow EastEnders star Steve McFadden recently signed up for another pantomime, playing the villainous Abanazar in Aladdin.

**Perdita** · 27-04-2012, 06:59

EastEnders actor Steve McFadden will take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

According to The Sun, McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell in the series, will join the historic river pageant for the Jubilee on board his boat Barbara.

The pageant is comprised of more than 1,000 vessels, and will work its way down the Thames from Battersea Bridge to Tower Bridge on June 3.

McFadden, a lifelong royalist, applied to take part alongside friends from lifeboat and lifeguard charity RNLI.

He said: "It's an absolute honour to be taking part in the pageant for the Diamond Jubilee. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will be a moment in history that will always be remembered.

"I'm really looking forward to being out on the river with friends and family. To mark this historic moment will be extremely special."

McFadden recently signed up for a pantomime in Dartford.

**Perdita** · 29-04-2012, 14:42

The BBC is considering staging a musical based on EastEnders.

Executives will attend Street of Dreams, the musical based on Coronation Street which starts next month, to see if it could be a suitable option for the BBC One soap, The Observer reports.

Paul O'Grady is the narrator of Street of Dreams, with Russell Watson performing and appearances from Corrie stars such as William Roache and Julie Goodyear. Kym Marsh will play Elsie Tanner.

Phil Murphy, BBC Worldwide's managing director for live entertainment, said: "EastEnders is a lovely idea [for a live event]. I would like more drama. You would need a great script and the stars, but it would be interesting to see it done. If someone came to me for an EastEnders Live, I'd not kick them out of the door."

The BBC's plan is part of the trend for "brand extensions" in TV. Tickets to see BBC Worldwide-licensed productions are expected to reach 3m in the financial year 2012-13.

John Yorke, the BBC drama controller who oversees EastEnders, said: "I am very intrigued. We are in a whole new era of live entertainment, which began, perhaps, with the Strictly Come Dancing tours.

"In this case Street of Dreams is playing in its home town. Conversations are always going on about brand extensions for EastEnders. About nine years ago there was talk of EastEnders the Movie.

"Culturally we've come to accept it, as the BBC becomes more commercial. I'd be cautiously welcoming to the idea of doing it. It is hard to see an EastEnders musical. It would have to be something more gritty, scripted say by Arnold Wesker. I can't see [Dirty] Den and Michelle doing a high-kicking number."

Michael Harrison, producer of the new Susan Boyle musical I Dreamed a Dream, added that audiences want to spend money on something "they know they will like before they go", particularly in recessions.

Birds of a Feather and Yes, Prime Minister have recently been adapted into stage shows.

Following its premiere in Manchester, Street of Dreams will tour in Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle.

**alan45** · 06-05-2012, 13:01

© WENN
Denise Van Outen has outlined her desire to join the cast of EastEnders.

The West End actress, best known for hosting The Big Breakfast, revealed that she has had "conversations" with the BBC soap's bosses.

She told the Daily Star Sunday: "I'd love a part in a soap and there have been conversations but I'm not allowed to say anything else at the moment. Working on a soap like EastEnders is something I've always wanted to do.

"You need new challenges, and working on a soap would certainly be a great challenge for me.

"It really is one of my ambitions and hopefully it will happen."

Discussing what sort of character she would want to play, Van Outen added: "I wouldn't want to be a villain though as I couldn't handle being hated. I'd love to be a barmaid."

An EastEnders spokeswoman stated last night: "There are no plans to bring in any female cast members at the moment."