Latest news with #AlfieMoon
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders favourite facing the sack after a whopping 40 years in job - as livid fans rage 'if she leaves, Albert Square falls!'
An EastEnders legend is facing the sack after a whopping 40 years in job - and fans of the BBC soap aren't happy about it. Beloved character Tracey, who is played by actress Jane Slaughter, has been on the show since 1985. Over the years the barmaid, who rarely has any speaking lines, has become a huge fan favourite while serving many punters at the Queen Vic. But a recent episode of EastEnders raised a few alarm bells with viewers after Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) nephew Freddie (Bobby Brazier) put forward the idea of working for her and take over from Tracey. Kat and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) became the new owners of the pub earlier this month, after taking over from Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). During Tuesday's instalment of the BBC show, Freddie asked for a job, but was told that they didn't have enough money for him to join the team behind the bar. A recent episode of EastEnders raised a few alarm bells with viewers after Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) nephew Freddie (Bobby Brazier) put forward the idea of working for her and take over from Tracey Freddie went on to tell Alfie and Kat that he would be able to work for half of what Tracey is currently paid. Tracey has been a barmaid since 1989. Many viewers are concerned that Kat and Alfie might change their mind. 'Like the ravens in the Tower, if Tracey leaves the Vic, Albert Square falls.' 'Why do they do this 'sack Tracey' stuff almost everytime the pub changes owners #EastEnders.' 'I see the usual 'let go of Tracey' story when new owners come in has begun.' 'why do they try and fire ar tracey every 10 years #Eastenders.' 'Cheeky sods thinking of sacking Tracey #EastEnders.' Many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their heartbreak over Kat and Alfie's potential decision 'I would have been absolutely devastated if Tracey got the sack. She's the heart of the vic. #EastEnders.' 'No no, you don't understand, the way the whole nation would've been rioting if Kat and Alfie fired are Tracey tho.' It's no wonder that the bartender is such a popular character on the show, having been on EastEnders since the very beginning. Tracey appeared on the very first episode back in 1985. She is the longest-serving character to ever take part in the popular programme. Although the character rarely says a word on the show, back in 2022 she made a shocking revelation about Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). She confessed that Phil was the 'best sex she's ever had' moments before Kat was due to marry Phil. His past lovers, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) all gathered in the Queen Vic to reminisce about their experience as Phil's one-time girlfriends. They all agreed that Phil isn't exactly a romantic when it comes to wooing the ladies but Tracey was pretty happy with her experience. Tracey had alluded to her night of passion with the square's unlikely lothario once before. She told Mo Harris (Laila Morse) all about the intimate affair she had with him during the show's 35th anniversary week back in 2020.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders' Jessie Wallace shares her emotional reaction to onscreen daughter Michelle Ryan's shock return to the BBC soap after 20 years away from the Slater family
Kat Slater star Jessie Wallace has revealed she was overcome with emotion after learning of Michelle Ryan's return to EastEnders. The actress, now 41, has reprised her role as Zoe Slater, Kat's on-screen daughter, two decades after her dramatic exit from Albert Square. In a behind-the-scenes video shared by the official EastEnders Instagram page, Jessie admitted she cried upon hearing that Michelle was reprising her role. She said: 'So, Michelle is back after 20 years. I've missed her tremendously, I've missed her, working with her, the whole Kat and Zoe thing, you know, going back to, 'You ain't my mother,' 'Yes I am.' 'And when I found out Michelle was coming back, I cried. 'And then when we met up, I cried because I've missed you.' Zoe made a bombshell return to the BBC soap on Monday night's episode, after her return was kept under wraps. Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week but she will be back full-time this summer, as her mother Kat prepares to tie the knot with Alfie Moon for the third time. Zoe had been seen as a mystery figure throughout Monday's episode, with her face finally revealed during its closing moments. The episode hadn't been released on BBC iPlayer at 6am that morning, meaning all viewers had to tune into the evening broadcast, where Zoe's return was unveiled. Speaking on her return to the BBC soap, Michelle said: 'It feels like coming home. After doing my first few scenes, it was like I'd never been away. It all happened at the right time. 'I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.' Since Zoe's exit from Walford 20 years ago, it's been revealed that she and Kat have become estranged. Teasing her character's reason to come back to Albert Square, Michelle added: 'I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. 'She's not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own. 'She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' It comes after MailOnline revealed in February that, despite multiple attempts from bosses over the years, Michelle had refused to return to EastEnders. A source told MailOnline: 'Bosses reached out to Michelle several times over the years, they would love to have her back. For example, as the soap was approaching its big 30th anniversary, it was a gentle approach asking if she would consider a return in the lead up to it all. 'This was at the very early stages of their plans but Michelle refused and there was a lot of disappointment amongst bosses. The moment is still considered one of the most iconic in EastEnders' 40-year history 'It's always been quite baffling why she wouldn't want to reprise a character who is still very much adored by the fans. It's been 20 years since she left Albert Square but still people are talking about her character.' During her time on the show, Michelle was involved in one of EastEnders' biggest storylines with it revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister, with explosive scenes seeing her yell: 'You ain't my mother!', only for Kat to reply: 'Yes I am!' Back in 2001, EastEnders' leopard-print-loving Kat Slater, who had been sexually abused by her uncle, finally revealed to her 'sister' Zoe that she was, in fact, her mother. It remains one of the most famous and iconic moments in EastEnders' 40-year history - a scene that has been mimicked by soap fans worldwide. The unforgettable storyline catapulted Michelle, then 16, to superstardom, and in 2005, she walked away from Walford for the final time, five years after arriving in EastEnders with the rest of the Slater clan. Zoe also famously kissed her best friend Kelly Taylor on a New Year's Eve night out in 2003 when they got stranded and started getting emotional. The kiss sparked criticism at the time, but Brooke Kinsella, who played Kelly, defended the scene. She said: 'It's not a gratuitous ratings getting move, it's not some kind of big lesbian kiss. 'It's the way two best friends who have a lot of love for each other show their emotions.' During her time on EastEnders, Zoe also had a string of failed romances, including a disastrous relationship with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman). The affair - which resulted in a pregnancy - saw Zoe embroiled in the murder of Den Watts with accomplices Chrissie Watts and Sam Mitchell, which eventually led to her exit from the soap. In the lead up to the soap's 40th, a number of former characters came back including Grant Mitchell, Bianca Jackson, Chrissie Watts, David Wicks, Nigel Bates, Mickey Miller and even Angie Watts but there was no Zoe. Michelle admitted at the time of quitting that she 'got quite bored in the end' playing Zoe, telling the Bristol Evening Post: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things.' 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed. 'I've always taken chances. I think that's how you progress – by stepping out and doing different things. 'I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.' After leaving the show 20 years ago, the star almost cracked America after landing the leading role in the re-imagining of the popular seventies TV show Bionic Woman, though the show was cancelled after just one season. Since then the British star has appeared in several independent films, including 4.3.2.1. and Cockneys vs Zombies. She has also had guest roles in BBC shows Merlin, Doctor Who and Death In Paradise. Her most recent acting film appearance was in Frankenstein: Legacy where she starred as Lady Charlotte, in addition to 2025's Finding My Voice in which she played Lisa Kendall. EastEnders fans previously speculated they wanted to see Michelle back in Albert Square, as the soap celebrated its 40th Anniversary back in February. When Michelle shared an album of throw-back snaps of her on set 20 years ago to Instagram, her fans flocked to her comments as they were convinced she would make a return. One penned: 'You can't convince me that you're not a secret return for the 40th, Jessie talking about wanting you to return, now this….its happening, you just can't say, double like if it's true' 'Please come back loved the kat and Zoe storyline' 'I would love Zoe to return to Eastenders if she does I would love to see Zoe have scenes with her brothers and with Stacey and Jean and Lily'
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jodie Comer's "Most Enriching Experience" of her Life
The stars of long-awaited horror sequel '28 Years Later' Jodie Comer, Alfie Moon and Edvin Ryding spoke about their experience working on the film at its World Premiere in London'#s Leicester Square. Jodie discussed the "complicated" aspects of her character, what she got up to in Newcastle and the North East of England, and revealed the most "enriching experience" of her career starring in the award-winning 'Prima Facie'.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
EastEnders: Michelle Ryan returns as Zoe Slater after 20 year gap
Actress Michelle Ryan has returned to play Zoe Slater in EastEnders after being away from the soap for 20 to Barb, 2.2 million people watched her shock appearance on the BBC One soap, which unusually had not been made available on iPlayer earlier in the character is best remembered for the 2001 cliffhanger in which she screamed at her sister Kat Slater "you ain't my mother!" who fired back with the iconic twist: "Yes I am."Ryan described returning to the show as feeling "like coming home". Ryan was revealed to viewers at the end of the episode, making a dramatic reunion with step-father Alfie Moon and cousin Stacey Slater just before the is the first episode produced by the show's new executive producer Ben Wadey who said the character was on his wish-list of returnees before stepping into the said: "I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I'm thrilled to welcome her back to Walford."Although it was the second most watched programme in its time slot, a slightly larger audience had tuned in to both Emmerdale and Coronation Street on viewing figures do not include people who watched the episode on tablets, phones or other smart devices. After leaving the soap in 2005, Ryan made appearances in BBC One shows Merlin, Doctor Who and was also cast as the lead in a remake of the 1970s programme The Bionic Woman, which was cancelled by US broadcaster NBC after eight actress revealed that the invitation to return to Elstree Studios arrived at a time she had been reflecting on her time on the BBC soap with old said: "It all happened at the right time. I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth and Kim Medcalf and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show."It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters."I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. She's not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own."
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders' Michelle Ryan reveals emotional secret reunion with soap cast before Zoe Slater's bombshell return
EASTENDERS actress Michelle Ryan has revealed the sweet gesture from her co-stars ahead of her epic soap return. Her character Zoe Slater stepped back into Walford in explosive scenes last night - with BBC bosses confirming she'll be back for good after 20 years off-screen. 6 6 She is back on Albert Square as her mum Kat marries Alfie for the third time and prepares to take over the Queen Victoria pub. Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week but she will be on board full-time this summer. The actress is best known for her explosive 'You ain't my mother!' showdown with Kat Slater, now Moon, played by Jessie Wallace, 53. The mother-daughter spectacle with Kat in 2001 cemented Zoe as one of the BBC soap's most iconic characters. And actress Michelle, now 41, told how she is "more excited" to tackle her role second time around. In a chat with entertainment reporter Richard Arnold, 55, aired on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, she admitted she had "goosebumps" over her comeback. Yet her EastEnders clan pulled out all the stops to make her soap return smooth. In a chat from the soap set, she told Richard: "I've always loved working with Jessie. "We actually went for a cast dinner with the Slater family so that I would feel welcome with the new people that I didn't know "And seeing her, she got so emotional. Michelle Ryan makes bombshell return to EastEnders as Zoe Slater after 20 years "And when she found out I had the job again she was screaming and I was just like, this just feels like coming home." Yet after being welcomed back to the cast Michelle gave a glimpse of her gritty storyline to come. She told GMB viewers: "Brace yourself for what she's going to be like, she's troubled. "That's great for an actress to play, that chaos. "It has felt like I've never been away, it was seamless and it was easy, so I'm really lucky." SOAP COMEBACK Michelle made her debut in 2000 alongside Jessie as Kat, Kasey Ainsworth as Little Mo and Elaine Lordan as Lynne. She quit the show in a bid to crack Hollywood and landed the lead role in a big-budget remake of The Bionic Woman - but it failed to impress and was axed after just one season. Zoe left Albert Square in 2005 but during her time away, Zoe and Kat's relationship was said to have broken down once again and the pair have been estranged ever since. Previously Michelle, who saw success on both stage and screen after her initial EastEnders exit, opened up on the reason for her return. She said: "It all happened at the right time. ' I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for 20 years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.' 6 6
