Inside EastEnders star Heather Peace's life with rarely-seen wife and adorable daughters as she reveals cancer diagnosis
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HEATHER Peace lives with her rarely-seen wife and adorable daughters in Brighton - but what else is little known about her life away from Albert Square?
The 49-year-old, who is best known for playing Eve Panesar-Unwin in the BBC soap, shared her cancer diagnosis in an emotional video this week.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
10
Heather Peace revealed her cancer diagnosis during the week
Credit: Instagram
10
Heather is married to her wife Ellie and they have three daughters together
Credit: Instagram/heatherpeaceofficial
10
Heather and Ellie are doting mums to their children: Annie Mary, born in April 2015; and twins Jessie and Lola, who were born in June 2017
Credit: Instagram/heatherpeaceofficial
10
Heather is a doting mother
Credit: instagram/@heatherpeaceofficial
10
She previously spoke out about who carried their children
Credit: instagram/@heatherpeaceofficial
Heather revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer last year and had been having chemotherapy treatment.
Not only did she undergo chemo, but she had surgery to fight the breast cancer, too.
Heather is married to her wife Ellie and they have three daughters together.
The couple had a civil partnership ceremony in 2013, before converting it into a marriage the following year.
Heather and Ellie are doting mums to their children: Annie Mary, born in April 2015; and twins Jessie and Lola, who were born in June 2017.
Ellie carried Annie Mary, and Heather carried the twins.
Speaking out about deciding on who should carry their children, Heather opened up in 2018 to The Agora Clinic in Brighton - which is where they underwent IVF - before they welcomed their twins.
She said: "We used my eggs and Ellie carried our daughter.
"We are hoping to try it the other way around using Ellie's eggs and me carrying the baby if we are lucky enough to get pregnant a second time."
Also during the interview, Heather spoke about her egg reserves being low, which was very stressful.
EastEnders' Eve actress Heather Peace shares snaps from her very different job off screen
"Because I am a bit older, my egg reserves were lower so the most stressful time was the two-week wait waiting to find out whether the embryo had implanted," she explained.
Heather also thanked the clinic in Brighton for making her and her wife the happiest they had ever been.
"It's important to understand that IVF is a programme, not just one treatment; as a couple, you have nothing else to talk about because every day is about where you are in your cycle, what injections you have to do," she said.
"But because we went through this together, it has brought us even closer.
10
"I want to thank the Agora for making me and my wife the happiest we've ever been in our lives."
The family live in a gorgeous home in Brighton, with their private life kept largely out of the spotlight.
But in 2022, Heather did provide fans with an insight for her and Ellie's wedding anniversary.
As she celebrated nine years, she uploaded a slew of adorable snaps documenting their years together and all loved up.
In the caption at the time she wrote: "Happy 9th wedding anniversary to my dear Ellie. The love of my life. 9 years married, 12 years together, 20 years knowing you.
"We were an awesome left wing in football and a pretty smashing team now."
Heather revealed her cancer diagnosis earlier this month.
Sharing a video on Instagram, the EastEnders star wrote in the caption: "This video is an important part of my recent journey, which I wanted to share with you.
"It's been about the #TeamEffort here @bbceastenders.
"I needed a wig fitting. I've been on quite a road for many months now.
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October.
"Since then I've undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended.
"I woke up this morning and it was like the end of the London Marathon; I'd turned onto The Mall and could see the giant clock & the finish line.
"To conclude - I've just picked up my medal."
Heather told her followers she has been "forever changed" by the disease and paid tribute to her wife Ellie and their three daughters, Annie, Jessie and Lola, for getting her through it.
She said she was "just trying to appreciate every moment of them".
Heather added: "There have been so many positives.
"Thank you to the whole EE team for going above & beyond. Particularly our amazing makeup team.
"And to Alex Rouss for the original wig & Linda for the spot on cut.
"I've felt totally supported by you all. Thank you to all of the friends in my local community who've been there for me and my family at the drop of a hat (you know who you are).
"Thank you to the NHS. You are wonderful, skilled people. You treated me efficiently. You gave me dignity and showed me kindness. It's so appreciated."
Heather ended her post admitting "life feels very different now" but said "it's wonderful".
She said: "I will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I am blessed with. I feel very lucky. With love, Heather xxx"
10
Heather and Ellie only share rare glimpses of their life together
Credit: Instagram/heatherpeaceofficial
10
Their eldest child is 10 years of age
Credit: instagram/@heatherpeaceofficial
10
Heather has shared some rare snaps of her family life online
Credit: instagram/@heatherpeaceofficial
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
13 minutes ago
- Metro
New Rovers landlady confirmed after Coronation Street axes Jenny Connor star
The new Rovers Return landlady has been revealed in the wake of Jenny Connor's (Sally Ann Matthews) axe from Coronation Street. Legendary actress Sal, 54, took to Instagram on Friday to announce her departure. 'I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much!' she wrote. 'It's time though to play those parts I always hoped I would when I'd 'grown up.' 'Thanks Trafford Wharf Rd for the memories and endless laughter.' The decision has already caused uproar with fans, who have grown to adore the character throughout several stints in the last 39 years. First appearing in 1986 as the troubled foster daughter of Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox), in more recent years she's stepped behind the bar of the nation's favourite boozer – firstly alongside husband Johnny (Richard Hawley) and latterly with step-daughter Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan). Unfortunately for Jenny, the cash that she and Daisy used to buy back the pub after it was threatened with redevelopment was stolen from Carla Connor (Alison King), who is keen to get rid of it as a going concern. Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) has provided a camp flare to the pub since she took over as temporary manager, but everyone is well aware that this arrangement can't last. Now it has been reported that an old face is making their way back to the cobbles to take over. The return of Catherine Tyldesley as Eva Price was announced in February, though the circumstances of her comeback have been largely unknown. 'It's one of the biggest jobs in soap, the landlady of the Rovers Return pub,' a source told The Sun. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'Bosses were desperate to get Cath back. They came up with the perfect storyline with her being unveiled as the new landlady of the Rovers.' More Trending They also confirm that she'll be back in the autumn. Viewers will remember that this won't be the first time Eva has pulled pints of Newton and Ridley. View More » When mum Stella (Michelle Collins) purchased the Rovers, Eva joined her as barmaid and remained there until her exit in 2018. MORE: Coronation Street confirms unexpected new love interest for Jenny MORE: Full list of Coronation Street cast returns and exits coming in 2025
Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Meghan Markle's birthday 'snub from royals' as Prince Harry 'makes a fuss'
Meghan Markle's 44th birthday is today - and one expert says although Prince Harry will help her celebrate, other royals may not be on hand to send her birthday wishes Meghan Markle hits a special milestone - that's because today marks her birthday. The former Suits actress is celebrating her 44th birthday as she continues to focus on growing her As Ever lifestyle brand, with a new wine going on sale this week. The past 12 months have marked many major changes for Meghan, especially since the dawn of 2025, with the launch of her new Instagram account, lifestyle brand, as well as her Netflix cookery show. However, one thing has remained - Meghan and Prince Harry's long-running rift with the Royal Family following their dramatic departure from the Firm. It comes as news that Harry will 'never be forgiven' by two major royals despite reconciliation hope.. And for royal expert Jennie Bond, while Harry will be keen to make his wife's special day as memorable as it can be, she believes the same can't be said for the rest of the Royal Family. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: "I definitely thought that being 44 was a bit of a nondescript birthday, not particularly worthy of a special celebration. But I'm sure that Harry will want to make a fuss of his wife on her special day. "As far as I can see, he is still head over heels in love with Meghan and will probably organise a romantic dinner or perhaps a beach party with friends and lots of children to celebrate their happy family life in California. Maybe a sunrise yoga session would set the day up rather nicely! "I don't think Meghan should hold her breath for birthday messages from the Royal family, though it may well be that Princess Eugenie - and possibly Beatrice— will send a present or a card." Meanwhile, Meghan's birthday comes as in recent weeks, she has fallen silent on her Instagram account, with sporadic posts. However, her lifestyle brand, As Ever, continues to post on the platform, with an announcement last week that she will be selling another batch of her rose wine. And Jennie added: "I think Meghan deserves to be pretty happy with how this year has gone so far. Whatever she does or says gets slammed in the media, but she has built up a substantial social media following in very little time, the products that she endorses or sells seem to do exceptionally well, and her TV and podcast shows — although clearly not ground breaking – – are perfectly watchable, however much her critics like to pan them." When it comes to her Instagram account, Meghan previously told Emma Grede in a podcast interview: "I think if part of it is just being able to authentically share in real time the things that are happening that I think someone might be able to last with, or enjoy or be inspired by.' She said she wanted to post in a way that was 'not overproduced'. Addressing a twerking video, which showed her dancing to the Baby Mama song in a bid to bring on labour with Lili, which she posted back in June, Meghan described it as a reminder of a 'real, authentic fun life'. The duchess said it felt liberating to be back on social media where she can share things on her own terms. 'That wasn't yesterday. That was four years ago, so it's also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there's still whole life, a real, authentic, fun life that's happening behind the scenes,' Meghan said. 'I'm just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms.'
Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing bosses 'to offer rehab to cocaine scandal-hit stars'
BBC bosses are said to be offering two Strictly stars alleged to have taken cocaine a rehabilitation programme as the hit series is caught up in yet another scandal Bosses at the BBC are reportedly ready to offer two Strictly Come Dancing stars a rehabilitation programme following revelations of cocaine use. It follows allegations that two stars of the programme have reportedly taken the Class A drug while appearing on the BBC dance show. Now, bosses are said to be set to offer those at the centre of the storm the chance of rehab. It's also claimed there could be random drug tests added to the upcoming tours, which are known to include after-parties. It comes after bosses reportedly launched an investigation into claims that two of its stars took cocaine. The BBC has hired law firm Pinsent Masons to probe the allegations A source told the Sun, following the breakout news: "The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're OK." They added: "As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered. While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year." The source claimed the BBC are needing to be sure there are no illegal activities taking place and are waiting for the investigation's findings. It's the latest scandal to rock the long-running series. It comes after drug use claims were submitted to the BBC in March by Russells Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant. It's believed that other individuals have also brought forward allegations of drug consumption on Strictly Come Dancing to the BBC. Earlier in the week, it was reported that one such allegation involved a Strictly star who allegedly commented on another individual's dilated pupils. They are said to have hinted at drug intoxication, saying: "Have you seen their pupils... they're off their face". And The Sun also claimed that a celebrity alleged it is common knowledge within the show's circle that two stars were using cocaine, a topic that was reportedly rife among the cast. In a statement shared with the Mirror over the weekend, a representative for the BBC said: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further." The fresh blow comes amidst speculation over which famous faces could be set to take to the dancefloor when the show returns in just a matter of weeks. Doctor Who star Alex Kingston is the latest to be rumoured to have signed up, with rehearsals starting to commence. The highly acclaimed actress, 62, is thought to be joining the likes of reality TV star Dani Dyer, former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan, Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis. Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah, presenter Stacey Solomon, and Vicky Pattison, who made her name on the back of Geordie Shore, are also linked to competing, but as of yet the BBC has not confirmed the official celebrity line-up.
