New Faces

Chucky Venn to join Eastenders

Apparently Eastenders newcomer Chucky Venn has revealed that his family are thrilled he is appearing in Albert Square, even more so than when he worked on on the Batman Dark Knight set. He has also featured in The Bourne Ultimatum and the Sky One hit Dream Team, and is due to make his Walford debut as Ray Dixon (Morgan’s father).

We hear that the 38 year old is a lifelong fan of the soap and called his agent to ask for an audition as soon as he heard that the part of Ray was up for the taking.

Lucy Beale returns to Eastenders

Lucy Beale will be returning to Eastenders for Pat’s fureral but this time she comes in the shape of Hetti Bywater, who has been tipped to wreak more havoc in Walford as she settles back in after more than a year, living away in the west country.

With preparations for Pat’s send off in full flow, Ian played by Adam Woodyatt, tells some white lies to girlfriend Mandy (Nicola Stapleton),telling her that Lucy and Peter are both too busy to attend the funeral. However, Ian hasn’t been in contact with either of the twins to tell them about the funeral, plus he hasn’t even mention Mandy to them. Unfortunately for Ian, Lucy manages to find out about Walford’s planned farewell to Pat, and he’s in for a shock when the troublesome teen arrives back unexpectedly.

As Lucy comes face-to-face with Mandy, she also demands to know who she is. She is not impressed over her father’s choice of partner and it looks like Lucy will be going head to head with Mandy, leaving Ian stuck between them. It also doesn’t take long for Lucy to get up to more mischief as she ends up taking booze to the funeral!

As soon as Bywater’s casting as Lucy was announced in November, she commented; “I’m really excited to be joining such an iconic show as EastEnders, especially becoming a Beale. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s in store for Lucy and seeing what she’s going to get up to when she returns to Albert Square.

Lucy will return to your screen on Thursday January 12th at 7.30pm on BBC 1.

Simon and David Wicks return for Pat’s funeral

Brothers Simon and David Wicks will be returning for their mother (Pat Evens), funeral.

Simon (see photo below) is played by Nick Berry, 48, and David is played by Michael French, also 48.They have both been invited back by producers because Pat is going to go out with a bang. Ricky (Sid Owen) and Bianca (Patsy Palmer) will also be returning as part of the plot.

Pat, played by Pam St. Clement, 69, has decided to hang up her earrings after 25 years on the show. Apparently she has said that she is quite happy to be killed off as she has no plans to return to the show. It looks like the producers are holding their cards very close to their chests though, as there have been no leaks yet as to how Pat will die. We do however know that she will be killed off over the Christmas holiday.

Nick Berry actually joined Eastenders in the show’s first year, 1985, and stayed on for 5 years. Viewers will also remember that he starred in Heartbeat for 6 years after Eastenders. Since then he hasn’t done any acting so the shows producers have clearly had to work hard to get him back to Albert Square for Pat’s send off.

Michael French joined the soap in 1993 and stayed for 3 years. He later had starring roles in Holby City and Casualty.

Hard man actor Jamie Forman to join Eastenders

Jamie Foreman, aged 52 will be joining the cast of Eastenders later this year. Jamie has appeared in Oliver Twist and loads of crime world films and TV shows.

Jamie is actually the son of real ex East End gangster Freddie Foreman, who’s nickname was ‘Brown Bread Fred’. Freddie is now 79 and has actually admitted that he played a part in two gangland killings under the instruction of Ronnie and Reggie Kray. Fred also served several years at her majesties pleasure for disposing of Jack “The Hat” McVitie in 1967.

Jamie will join Eastenders as Derek Branning. He will be the Branning family’s intimidating eldest son who has been out of touch with the family for a long time. Derek will be desperate to rule the roost in Walford to he is bound to come into some serious conflict with Phil Mitchel at some point.

Apparently Jamie is really pleased to be joining the show and is keen to see how Derek will slot into the Branning family.

Syed’s wife to return to Eastenders

We hear that Amira will be returning to Eastenders and apparently it will be an explosive entrance as she escapes from her father who has been holding her hostage.

Preeya Kalidas, 31, who plays Amira will be returning to the show with her husband Syed’s baby. When Amira left the soap after finding out that her husband was having an affair with Christian Clarke, she had fallen pregnant with Syed’s baby but kept it quiet.

Preeya filmed last week and apparently her official return to the Albert Square is in October. We also here that she will appear on BBC red button for 2 episodes on the 8th and 9th of September.

There is going to be some big fireworks when Amira shows up with a baby girl in her arms. Syed is going to be in shock and this will really upset his plans to adopt a child with his partner Christian.

Mandy is coming back to Eastenders

Nicola Stapleton, who played Mandy Salter will be coming back to Eastenders as a lap dancer!

Mandy left Albert Square way back in 1994 back then she was just a child. Her personality is still the same bubbly, crazy free spirit that does everything on the spur of the moment. She was also quite cunning, so she’s bound to be a threat to Janine’s throne as the bad girl of Albert Square.

Mandy will be found by the sleaze bag Ian Beale whilst performing in a lap dancing club. He see’s how bad her life is and offers to help her get her life sorted out.

So if your wondering for Nicola has been up too all these years, she has been enjoying appearances in ITV drama Bad Girls, BBC’s The Bill, Casualty, plus the likes of Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

Anthony Moon to join Eastenders

Anthony Moon will make his first on screen appearance in Eastenders on Monday 25th July. Anthony, son of Eddie Moon is played by Matt Lapinskas, who is 22 years old. Anthony and his brother Tylers characters were announced to the public on in May 2011.

His character will be witty, and cunning, and will talk his way out of a situation instead of using his fists. Anthony is similar to Tyler but his temperament is calmer, and they both love the ladies so were sure to see some of the other characters in the square getting a little upset with the lads!

Apparently Matt is thrilled to bits about his casting and can’t believe he has landed such a huge role in television. So it looks like the Moon family will only get stronger and engrain themselves further into Britains number one soap. Good luck Matt, were all behind you!

Tyler Moon to Join Eastenders

We’ll see another new Moon joining Eastenders next week with the arrival of Tyler, played by Tony Discipline. He makes his first appearance when he pulls up in his dad’s flash car and immediately sets his eyes on Jodie. The 1st time you’ll see him, he’ll be trying to chat her up! Tyler’s brother Anthony (played by Matt Lapinskas) will complete the family when he joins the show this autumn.

Tyler is set to be a real live wire on the show and he’s certainly a ladies man. So expect lots of chatting to the girls and of course plenty of fights and arguments when he gets himself into trouble over them! Apparently there’s a bit of drama when he first turns up at the Vic to see his cousin Alfie, but he soon settles in nicely. Alfie loves Tyler anyway and it doesnt take Kat long to like him too.

Eddie Moon certainly favours Tyler so it will be interesting to see how his half brother Micael reacts to him turning up in Albert Square. However Tyler is very close to Anthony so it will be interesting to see what tricks the pair of them get up to when Anthony turns up later in the year.

Billy and Julie have a Granddaughter?

Billy and Julie look like the will be in for quite a shock later this summer when they find out they have a granddaughter!

The switched on, cheeky Lola is living in care when Billy and Julie find her. She has been deserted by everyone in her life, a feeling that Billy know’s only too well. With a quick connection, it doesn’t take too long before the loveable teen follows them both back to the square.

Lola Pearce in Albert Square

But is Walford ready for the tearaway teenager? Lola Pierce, 15, who likes to wear tracksuits, big earings and baseball caps, will be played by the 18 yr old Danielle Harold. Apparenty Danielle very excited to be joining EastEnders, and has watched the show all my life. We bet she can’t believe her luck!

David Essex joins Eastenders to play Eddie Moon

Eddie has only just arrived and already he’s had a tussle with Michael Moon. There has been a huge rift between the two characters for a long time and they haven’t spoken for years.

We hear that Eddie will soon be joined by his other two sons Anthony and Tyler.

David as Eddie Moon