“Our greatest challenge is that we have several family units, that’s the nature of EastEnders and soap,” said Sen. Other measures have included creating one-way systems around the studios, and temperature-checking the cast and behind-the-scenes staff. The perspex screens allow the producers to “bring people really close together and that’s really good because it gives an intimacy to performance that wouldn’t be possible otherwise”, said Sen.
Hollyoaks star left heartbroken as beloved family member dies
When developing the character, Taylor took inspiration from her own mother who would regularly share her opinions. Hughes felt that Vi could fill the void of the “cockney matriarch” missing from the show. Taylor liked the idea of developing Vi into this character and hoped writers would explore this. Taylor first auditioned for EastEnders in 1984 for one of the show’s original characters, but was rejected due to not being from the area. Jon Sen, the show’s executive producer, was pleased with Taylor’s casting, calling her “the perfect actress to play the multi-faceted Violet Highway”.
Troubled teenager Lola arrived in Walford when Billy tried to find his long-lost son, Dan Pearce. They have now got back together and are supporting Lola these details and Ben’s daughter, Lexi, with Lola’s health crisis. Callum Highway, played by Tony Clay, is one half of fan fave ‘Ballum’ with husband Ben Mitchell.
Lola has six months left to live as she continues to battle a brain tumour that has spread – and told some of her friends and family including Jay, Ben, Lexi, Emma and Callum in the instalment. Below KentLive takes a look at the real life co-star couples of our favourite soaps. EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton’s boyfriend Ben proposed during a holiday in the Maldives in May 2019, with the pair sharing the exciting news on Instagram. “Been practicing selfies with my right hand for two weeks…” Louisa jokingly captioned this post, which shared a glimpse at her beautiful diamond engagement ring.
Pete Beale, played by Peter Dean
Daughter of Jason Donavan Jemma, who plays Rayne in the hit Channel 4 soap, shared the picture on her Instagram story. At the time, Ricky reportedly blamed Hannah’s decision on an “obsession” with her newfound weight loss. But Hannah, daughter to actor Dennis Waterman and actress Patricia Maynard, was quick to pour cold water on those claims. But their happily ever after was not meant to be, as the soap couple parted ways less than four years later.
Dr Harold Legg died of pancreatic cancer in February 2019
Producers used the characters of Aaron to explore racism and religious hatred, and far-right radicalisation. Thomas Coombes was cast as Neil, the leader of the far-right group, who encourages Aaron’s involvement in a terrorist attack. To accurately portray the story, the show’s story team worked with Nigel Bromage, the founder of Exit UK, and a team of former far-right members. Sen wanted to explore the issue in a different way, by telling the story through “a family who have an extremist in their midst”. Wernham departed the series at the conclusion of the story, as confirmed on 8 June 2022.
After a long and illustrious career winning her national acclaim and even an Order of the British Empire by the Queen in the year 2000, Wendy died at a Harley Street clinic in London, where she was being treated for breast cancer, in 2009. Lola has been involved in some huge storylines since her return, but now the character is set to be killed off after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Joining Elaine are The Knight family, including her new lover George Knight and his two daughters, Gina and Anna. Much like her on screen character, the Basildon born actress has had her fair share of romances and has dated some notable names in and out of Walford. In typical soap star fashion, the actress went on to date her co-star, Joe Swash who played her brother Mickey Miller. EastEnders duo Maisie Smith and Zack Morris have responded to claims that they’re dating in real life.
Louise tells Keanu that she had an abortion , Keanu then has a one night stand with Sharon, which results in Sharon also getting pregnant. Phil is attacked by Stacey Slater in order to defend Martin whom Phil was strangling, Ben is furious to discover Phil has added Keanu to his will. A jealous Ben then frames Keanu for Phil’s attack as revenge, forcing Keanu to flee Walford with Louise. Pauline Fowler, mum of Michelle, was an outspoken, headstrong woman, and clearly passed on her compassion to her daughter. While working on the first season of the hit comedy show, Gomez sparked romance rumors with her onscreen love interest Aaron Dominguez . After trolls slammed Dominguez’s friendship with his costar, the actor took to social media to call out the hate.
After Keanu posts the money back to Sharon and informs the police of what he saw, leading to Linda’s arrest, Sharon is furious. After opening up to each other, with Sharon confessing the secretive gangster life Phil lives is not for her, they make up. Sharon fears Dennis has caught her and Keanu together, but it later turns out to be a false alarm.
Nugget is the son of Ravi Gulati and arrived to join his father shortly after Ravi’s release from prison. The patriarch of the Panesars, Nish, played by Navin Chowdhry, arrived in Walford after time inside. Vinny’s struggling with the guilt of knowing his brother Jags was in prison because of him when he was murdered. However, when Nish was released from prison last month, he wormed his way back into Suki’s life and she has ditched Eve. The matriarch of the Panesar clan, Suki Panesar played by Balvinder Sopal, is intimidating, bullying and not easy to be around. However, Dana has left and Bob’s single again, running the family businesses alongside gran, Kathy.
Devoted mum Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, has been through some tough times lately. Olympic torch bearer, Mitchell family outsider and Walford legend Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick, has been in a bad patch since he split from wife Honey. Since then Cal’s joined the police, causing friction in his romance with Ben Mitchell, and tied the knot with his crime lord boyfriend. Ben was abused by Phil’s fiancée Stella, who died on their wedding day, and lost his boyfriend Paul Coker to a homophobic attack. But viewers discovered Rocky was really Tom Cotton and was working with niece Dotty Cotton to get his mitts on Dot’s cash. His best friend Kush Kazemi was the tot’s real pa, though Martin’s stepped in since Kush’s death.