Eastenders General News Thread

[Perdita]

Rudolph Walker has said that it is important for EastEnders to retain its sense of humour.

The 72-year-old, who has played Patrick Trueman on the soap for 11 years, said that there are still many moments of levity on the show, despite its somewhat miserable reputation.

Walker is quoted as telling Inside Soap that this is the reason he is still happy to work on the programme, despite his advancing years.

He said: "The camaraderie keeps me going. Being in EastEnders is challenging at this stage in my career, and the demands are far greater than they used to be.

"Turning up on set every day and keeping the character fresh is hard work, but I do it with a smile.

"As long as Patrick continues to run the gauntlet of emotions and there's humour in the show, I'll be happy."

Walker said last year that he would "never retire" from EastEnders, arguing that actors are supposed "to drop down on the job".

Patrick has recently been left distraught by Heather Trott's murder, but things start looking up for him when he embarks on a fling with Tanya Branning's mother Cora Cross.

Walker commented: "Patrick enjoys the thrill of the chase - and the conquest!

"He'll continue to investigate the prospect and see what happens between him and Cora."

[alan45]

EastEnders star Sid Owen has reportedly said that he will never return to the BBC soap.

Owen, who played Ricky Butcher, announced that he is taking a break last year.



© Yui Mok/PA Archive/Press Association Images

© BBC Pictures


The 40-year-old has now confirmed that he has "retired" from acting, also vowing never to live in the UK again.

Owen told the Sunday Mirror: "I've retired. I'm now living permanently in France, where I have been on-and-off for the last ten years, and I'm running my restaurant.

"I haven't quite made my *millions but I'm happy doing that and I'll never be back."

He added: "I'm done with the UK and I hope that you will never see me on your TV screens again *because I'm done and I've *retired. I much prefer the *lifestyle I have now."

His character Ricky, famous for his long-term romance with Bianca (Patsy Palmer), was last seen on Albert Square in June having originally left in January.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Jessie Wallace has reportedly signalled that she is keen to marry boyfriend Tim Arnold.

The Albert Square actress, who was only revealed to be romantically involved with the musician in May, has apparently told friends of her long-term plans.

"She had her heart broken into a million pieces and vowed she'd never marry," a source told The Mirror.

"But she's fallen so in love with Tim that the path is very much clear for her to walk down the aisle.

"Everyone hopes she'll wed again. She's a great girl who deserves happiness, and Tim's lovely."


Jilted ex-fiancé Vince Morse offered his blessing to Wallace's new relationship in late May, but expressed concern over ex-Jocasta star Arnold's history of drug use.

Arnold, the godson of Wallace's EastEnders co-star June Brown, has previously spoken about the couple's "love" for each other.

Jessie Wallace is currently involved in an EastEnders plot which has shown her character Kat Slater having a mystery affair with a Walford resident.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Jessie Wallace has reportedly signalled that she is keen to marry boyfriend Tim Arnold.

The Albert Square actress, who was only revealed to be romantically involved with the musician in May, has apparently told friends of her long-term plans.

"She had her heart broken into a million pieces and vowed she'd never marry," a source told The Mirror.

"But she's fallen so in love with Tim that the path is very much clear for her to walk down the aisle.

"Everyone hopes she'll wed again. She's a great girl who deserves happiness, and Tim's lovely."


Jilted ex-fiancé Vince Morse offered his blessing to Wallace's new relationship in late May, but expressed concern over ex-Jocasta star Arnold's history of drug use.

Arnold, the godson of Wallace's EastEnders co-star June Brown, has previously spoken about the couple's "love" for each other.

Jessie Wallace is currently involved in an EastEnders plot which has shown her character Kat Slater having a mystery affair with a Walford resident.

[Perdita]

Tamzin Outhwaite has admitted that she never expected EastEnders to change her life as much as it did.

The 41-year-old actress, who played Mel Owen between 1998 and 2002, was heavily involved in some of the BBC soap's biggest storylines of the era.

She told PA: "I don't think you're ever really prepared. I do remember when I was told I had the job, the executive producer, Matthew Robinson, said to me, 'Be prepared for your life to change', but I don't think I realised just how much it would change.

"Because I was a jobbing actress before, and I was only doing a three-month contract, I never really saw the big picture and just thought, 'Oh, this is a nice job'.

"And then it turned into a three-and-half-year nice job! Also, I was 28 - if it had happened to me as a teenager, it would have been a different thing."

The star is married to fellow former Albert Square cast member Tom Ellis, who played Dr Oliver Cousins in 2006.

While Outhwaite remains open to an EastEnders reappearance, she has acknowledged that a return storyline may prove difficult to write.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Tony Discipline appeared in court today (August 13) as his trial for GBH and common assault began.

The actor, who plays Walford's Tyler Moon, has been accused of breaking 21-year-old Hayden Deol's jaw and injuring his cousin Sab Deol during an altercation at a nightclub in May 2011.

Southwark Crown Court today heard that Hayden Deol needed two metal plates fitted to his mouth following the alleged attack, This Is Local London reports.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the jurors that Discipline was at the Merah club in central London with EastEnders colleagues Shona McGarty (Whitney Dean) and Bunmi Mojekwu (Mercy Olubunmi) when he clashed with the two men.

It is alleged that Discipline lost his temper after Sab Deol made a jibe about his clothing.

Karmy-Jones told the court: "Hayden Deol was standing chatting to his friend along with his cousin Sab Deol when the defendant passed by.

"Sab Deol made a remark about [Discipline's] clothing, saying it looked like one of the shirts that Hayden wore to work. There is no doubt that this remark was somewhat derogatory and Hayden and Sab laughed."

The court heard that Discipline replied "in an aggressive way", which resulted in Hayden Deol pushing him with one hand in the chest.

Discipline allegedly then followed the pair into the club's VIP area, where the altercation continued.

Karmy-Jones continued: "The defendant accosted Sab and said 'Do you think you are funny?' He was angry and shouting when he said this and he then punched Sab twice in the face. Sab staggered backwards, dazed by the blow.

"The next thing that Sab saw was the defendant had moved over to Hayden and punched him. The punch was landed with such a force that he crashed back against the wall."

Discipline denies causing grievous bodily harm and common assault. The trial continues.

[Perdita]

double post

[JustJodi]

[B]Whoops,,, I wonder if EE will sack him ... they have fired their"stars" for lesser charges ....B]

[Perdita]

[B]Whoops,,, I wonder if EE will sack him ... they have fired their"stars" for lesser charges ....B]

He is leaving anyway, I think

[Perdita]

[B]Whoops,,, I wonder if EE will sack him ... they have fired their"stars" for lesser charges ....B]

Yes, you are right. Remains to be seen, I guess