Latest news with #EastEnder
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders star Nicholas Ball died 'broke' as he leaves nothing to wife
EastEnder actor Nicholas Ball died 'broke' as his wife Ayda has been left with nothing from his will following his death last year aged 79 following a short illness EastEnders star Nicholas Ball left nothing to his wife following his death last year. The actor died aged 79 following a short illness and was known for portraying gang lord Terry Bates in the popular BBC soap. His character is remembered for attacking Peggy Mitchell and causing havoc in the iconic Queen Victoria pub. Ball also appeared in Footballers' Wives, where he took on the role of Garry Ryan, the club chairman and a former rockstar. Despite his on screen success, record show Ball left no will and nothing in his estate. It comes after Darius Danesh's ex-wife speaks out after pop star died after refusing operation. Administration of Ball's estate was granted to his wife Ayda Kay, who he wed in 2019 after over two decades together. A High Court document reads: 'The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom amounts to £0 and the net value amounts to £0.' In June last year, Ball's agent revealed in a statement that he had "passed away following a short illness" and noted that his acting career, which spanned theatre and the small screen, was impressively long-standing across six decades. Ayda also shared a statement as she said at the time: "It is with the heaviest and broken of hearts, that I share the loss of my beloved Nicky-Nicholas Ball." Ball had been married to actress and psychologist Pamela Stephenson from 1978 to 1984, but she left him for comedian Billy Connolly. Director Keith English paid tribute to him after his death, as he said: "Fabulous as star of hit TV show 'Hazell' in the 1980s, Nick was a terrific actor - kind and generous. "He starred in our short film 'Top Dog' in 2001 in which he was great and we became life-long friends with him and his wife, Ayda Kay. Indeed, we were honoured when the pair of them asked if they could be married in our garden in 2019. "A fabulous affair. One of our fondest memories was going to see Jerry Goldsmith play The Royal Albert Hall with him and his great friend Mel Smith. "Mel had hired a box for the show. Both men were known hell-raisers and, sure enough, when the four of us rolled up they were both fairly merry and proceeded to football-chant 'There's only one Jerry Goldsmith!' between musical pieces to an uneven response from the rest of the auditorium. "Nick was a loving husband, friend and a wonderful actor. We enjoyed every minute of his company. Farewell and bon voyage." His television credits extended to crime shows such as Jonathan Creek, Hustle, Heartbeat and Bergerac. He also featured in comedies like Red Dwarf and The Young Ones, and the drama The Crezz. Ball secured roles in various film projects, including Overlord, Rogue Male, crime drama The Krays: Dead Man Walking; and an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.
Metro
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders icon announces retirement after years in early BBC iPlayer release
This article contains spoilers for tonight's episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed now on iPlayer. A fan-favourite EastEnder has decided to call time on their prestigious job in the Walford community. I am, of course, referring to Bridge Street Market's chief inspector Mr Lister (Nick Wilton), or Bob to his mates. Not like he has many – he's ruffled many a feather during the last 17 years. That could all come to an end in upcoming scenes, however, as the busybody has announced his retirement. Mr Lister is often seen ensuring the locals have a market license, disciplining the traders and being a general nuisance. He has been a recurring presence in the show since 2008, and has appeared in 61 episodes. Viewers will remember that at one point he developed somewhat of an inappropriate affection for Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) After asking her if she was single, he commented that the lot of her life could be closer than she thought. The two then had lunch together, with Lister flooding her with compliments. He even said she could drop the formalities and start calling him Bob! At the time, she'd just split up from Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and he tried to suggest that she'd be better off with an older man. Luckily, Finlay Baker (Ashley Byam) came to her rescue, stepping in to announce that they were a couple. Last year, amid Junior Knight's (Micah Balfour) plans to redevelop the market, he announced his intentions to retire. He wouldn't even support the residents campaign to save the institution. However, the late Martin Fowler (James Bye) convinced him to stay in post and help fight. In tonight's episode, Honey excitedly told Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) that she may have a new job on the horizon. More Trending She's Lister's second in command, but is eyeing up his position post-retirement. Let's face it, she's pretty much the perfect candidate! But does this mean the end of Mr Lister's time in Walford? Could he still pop up from time to time? View More » EastEnders airs these scenes at 7.30pm on BBC One. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Fresh horror for The Six in EastEnders as a report is set to be filed that will destroy everything
Metro
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders legend 'much happier' since quitting after 30 years
Former EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy is a very busy woman currently. She's written a book about motherhood, become involved in several TV projects and is appearing on Cooking With The Stars on ITV. She also has a podcast, Life With Nat, and in a recent episode she chatted with fellow EastEnder Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter in the BBC soap, and opened up about her own feelings about leaving the show. Natalie left EastEnders earlier this year, after playing the role of Sonia Fowler for 32 years. She joined the soap in 1993 and over the years was part of some of the show's most memorable storylines. In a statement at the time she said it was time to move on to pastures new. 'EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show,' she said. Now, speaking to Kellie in the podcast, she said that she has no regrets about the decision. 'I don't miss it, I don't. I miss the people. It's full on,' she told her former colleague. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I do feel happier doing the things I'm doing now. I always feel like I have to say it, I loved it, I'm grateful for it but I did fall into it and that was that, and that's what I did for 30 years, I don't know if I was meant to do that.' Kellie insisted that she thought Natalie was meant to do exactly that. 'I grew up watching Sonia, like the rest of the nation, and I loved you in the show all the way through. I loved your character, what you created. You're a brilliant actress, Nat.' With many more strings to her bow, Natalie's book Happy Days will be released in October. The book promises to cover a lot of ground, 'taking her readers on a journey through the highs and lows and the changing seasons of life. From yo-yo diets to raising strong girls, coping with grief to getting acting lessons from June Brown.' More Trending She's also fronted a consumer rights show on Channel 4 called What's The Big Deal: Britain's Best Buys, while Cooking With The Stars sees her competing against stars including Jordan North, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Hugh Dennis to showcase her culinary skills. Despite all this there's an element of life on EastEnders that Natalie does miss. View More » 'I loved the prep, getting the scripts,' she recalled. 'I never got bored of getting a script. I never felt bored or thought, 'Oh, here we go, we've got to undo it all and do it my way and see what's happening.' I never lost that in all of those 32 years.' If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Suspended EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick enjoys day out with co-stars amid slur scandal
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Maisie Smith shares health update on Max George after open heart surgery
Former EastEnder Maisie Smith has opened up on the rollercoaster ride she and boyfriend Max George have been through his harrowing health ordeal - but also how it's totally transformed their outlook on life Soap star-turned-musical theatre actress Maisie Smith has got a new outlook on life after witnessing her boyfriend Max George go through his harrowing health ordeal. The Wanted singer Max has undergone heart surgery twice over the past year after being diagnosed with an atrioventricular block, which caused his heart to beat abnormally. Stopping for a chat with new during the Tric Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London last month, Maisie, who turns 24 this week, exclusively tells OK! her boyfriend's health struggles have not only strengthened their tight bond, but transformed the choices they make in life. 'It has just made us realise how important life is and how much we've just got to live in the moment – you never know what's around the corner,' says Maisie. 'We're definitely more impulsive now and we know that anything is possible.' Maisie, who rose to fame for her role in EastEnders, which she made her debut in at just six years old, has been in a relationship with Max since 2022. The couple met in 2020 while competing on Strictly Come Dancing, striking up a friendship during the show, which saw Maisie reach the final alongside her professional dance partner Gorka Márquez. Max may not have been as successful on the dancefloor (he was voted out of Strictly in week four), but he did find lasting love with Maisie beyond the show and the pair eventually moved in together in Max's hometown, Manchester. However, in what has been an undeniably scary year for the couple, Max underwent surgery in December when his heart condition left him in need of a pacemaker. Following the operation, Max, 36, described the pacemaker as the 'best Christmas present' he could have received. But after complications from the first surgery, he was forced to go back for another procedure two months later. Sharing that it was successful, Max said at the time, 'It turned out that one of the leads was placed too far into my heart. The second pacemaker surgery took about two hours. So far, it seems to have been a success and they kindly let me listen to Oasis the whole time. It's been a setback, but it's just one of those things. I've had a few complications the last couple of months but I'm having loads of tests to make sure everything is all good. I'm sure I'll be back on top form in no time.' Maisie is clearly hugely relieved that everything is OK with him. 'Max is good – he's getting stronger every day,' she says. 'I'm so proud of how he's handled it too.' As we ask whether the situation has brought them any closer, Maisie laughs, saying, 'It was pretty hard for us to get any closer to be honest – we've always been inseparable.' Sharing that they're heading to France for a getaway this summer, it seems things are finally looking up for the duo. What began as a Strictly friendship, blossomed into romance after the pair grew closer on the show's live arena tour. Their series of Strictly was broadcast during the height of Covid, with social distancing restrictions in place, but they both joined the first post-pandemic live tour in January 2022. In the summer of that year, they were spotted on holiday together in Crete and, as anyone who follows their Instagram accounts will know, they've been smitten with each other ever since. Maisie is also busy in her professional life, which has seen her pursuing a musical theatre career, even working alongside Max. Most recently, she appeared in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds with Ma x, where they play married couple Parson Nathaniel and his wife Beth, after Maisie played Belle in a pantomime version of Beauty And The Beast in Canterbury. So, what's next on the horizon? 'I can't actually tell you what I'm working on right now – I'm not allowed,' says Maisie. 'But I'm still loving doing theatre and that's my main focus.' As for the soap that propelled her to fame, she may have come a long way since playing Tiffany Butcher, but she maintains she still calls Albert Square home. 'I always say with EastEnders, you never know,' she says. 'Never say never about me returning. I grew up there and it is my home, but right now I'm loving doing my theatre work.' Maisie may not be planning her grand return to the soap any time soon, but she did get the chance to catch up with some former co-stars as EastEnders bagged the Soap Of The Year gong at the ceremony. With stars such as Emma Barton in attendance, she says, 'It's been great catching up with people. That's why I love award shows and things like this – you see people you haven't seen in about 10 years.' Maisie says she's also used the opportunity to spend a girlie day with her mum, Julia, who is also her manager. 'I've brought my mum along today,' she says. 'I take her everywhere.'
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sex-mad soap stars who caused chaos on set…from actor with uncontrollable libido who bedded 1000s to Dales love triangle
One actor began dating his co-star while his ex was pregnant with their baby PLOT TWIST Sex-mad soap stars who caused chaos on set…from actor with uncontrollable libido who bedded 1000s to Dales love triangle Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN sparks fly on-screen, it's not surprising that romance sometimes blossoms when the cameras stop rolling. That seems to have been the case for Casualty hunk Olly Rix, who's dating another female co-star just months after his whirlwind fling with actress Helen George on Call the Midwife. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 18 Olly Rix is dating another female co-star just months after a whirlwind romance with Helen George Credit: splash news 18 Helen plays nurse, Trixie Franklin, while Olly played her husband, businessman Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife Credit: bbc 18 Olly is now dating Casualty co-star Anna Chell, who plays nurse, Jodie Whyte Credit: bbc The 40-year-old, who plays surgeon Flynn Byron on the long-running BBC show, has grown close to Anna Chell, 28, who plays nurse Jodie Whyte. An insider said Olly is enjoying a "blossoming romance" with Anna, while snaps of the couple carving each other's names into stone feature on Olly's Instagram account. Here we take a look at other soap lotharios who fell for their co-stars - including a messy love triangle in the Dales and a Corrie legend who admits to an "uncontrollable" sex drive. Co-star fling while ex was pregnant In May 2022, we reported how EastEnders star Max Bowden, now 30, had grown close to his co-star Shona McGarty, now 33, after splitting from his pregnant lover, insurance exec Roisin Buckle, now 40. The actor, who played Ben Mitchell, assured his girlfriend he was not seeing anyone else when they separated. But Roisin claimed she found out Max was in a relationship with Shona just weeks after their split - and said he missed key scans and events, leaving her in tears. She gave birth to a baby boy in September 2022. Meanwhile Shona and Max - who went Instagram official days before Roisin's due date - broke up after six months of dating, but remained on good terms. Opening up about the split in June 2023, Shona told the Mirror: "We're actually better than ever. It's a friendship, we're such in a good place. "You take a risk, and you do something and it doesn't work out, but that's life, you've got to take that risk." Coronation Street and Emmerdale humiliated at British Soap Awards as rival soap wins EIGHT gongs 18 EastEnders star Max Bowden began dating his co-star Shona McGarty weeks after his split from his pregnant ex Credit: getty 18 Max's ex Roisin Buckle was left in tears by her ex moving on so fast Credit: Instagram 18 Max and co-star Shona McGarty dated for six months Credit: Instagram/@shonabmx Following his romance with Shona, Max moved on with fellow EastEnder Danielle Harold, 33, who played Lola Pierce. They secretly dated for a number of years before a bitter split which saw them unfollow each other on Instagram. Now Max - who was axed from EastEnders in December 2023 following a showdown with bosses over his party lifestyle - has gone public with his new girlfriend. He grew close to co-star Tori Allen-Martin 39, after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy. 'Axed over co-star romance' 18 Marc Bannerman stole the show in EastEnders as lothario Gianni di Marco Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 18 Marc dated Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha while she too was appearing on EastEnders Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Marc Bannerman, 51, was played lothario Gianni di Marco on EastEnders from 1998 to 2000 - having fibbed that he was half-Italian when he was actually born in Ireland. The heartthrob dated Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha, 60, while she too was appearing on the soap as businesswoman Annie Palmer, with whom his character had a fling. Marc was once so popular he claimed he had to donate a sack of knickers sent to him by female viewers to Oxfam. But he later claimed he was axed from EastEnders over his real-life romance with Nadia because it was lessening his appeal for female fans. After he was given the boot, Marc said he fell into depression, his weight ballooned to over 17st and his drinking spiralled. He told the Mirror: "I've not kept in touch with the other Di Marco actors because our departure was so traumatic. When I first found myself out of the show I didn't realise at the time but I started eating all the wrong things and I was boozing far too much." Marc was back in the spotlight in 2007 when he appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here - and controversially grew close to his campmate Cerys Matthews. He was in a relationship with his Footballer's Wives: Extra Time co-star Sarah Matravers at the time, and confessed to behaving like a "rat", having broken his girlfriend's heart. Marc said: "I just developed feelings for someone in there and I've got a Mrs at home, I'm a rat. I can't look for a scapegoat. The buck stops here." Marc and Cerys continued dating post-jungle, but called it quits a year later. Cheating scandal 18 Peter Amory was accused of having an affair with an Emmerdale co-star while married to Claire King Credit: REX/Shutterstock 18 Claire claimed Samantha had apologised to her at Richard Thorpe's funeral Credit: ITV Claire King's Emmerdale character Kim Tate has had her share of agony, but the actress herself is no stranger to drama. In 1994 she married co-star Peter Amory, 60, who played her on-screen step-son Chris. But their 10-year marriage was derailed when he was accused of having an affair with Emmerdale co-star Samantha Giles, now 53, while Claire, now 63, was working on Bad Girls in London. While he and Samantha deny anything happening during the marriage, Claire was convinced it did. "I had a feeling that something was going on," she told the Mirror back in 2005. "I was working in London and we were spending less and less time together. I was travelling back to Yorkshire every weekend. "I remember Pete saying that I only came back to see my dogs and horses… and I thought: 'Well, yeah, and to catch you at it!'" Claire's suspicions were seemingly confirmed when Samantha's then-partner penned a letter claiming their spouses were indeed cheating. Claire also claimed Samantha had apologised to her at Richard Thorpe's funeral. 'Uncontrollable' libido 18 Bill Roache started his role as Ken Barlow in the very first episode of Corrie in 1960 Credit: Ian West/PA Wire 18 Bill was married twice (second wife Sara pictured) Credit: PA 18 Bill dated TV weather girl Emma Jesson, who was nearly 40 years his junior Credit: Wenn Bill Roache, 93, has played Ken Barlow since the very first episode of Corrie back in 1960 - and was a lothario both on and off screen. He cheated on his first wife Anna Cropper multiple times, something he has since expressed regret over. Speaking about his affairs - one of which was with fellow Weatherfield star Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner - he said: "There were plenty of girls around. "I didn't have any control over my own sex drive. I didn't have the strength to control it. Every morning I woke up regretting and hurting." He added that his fling with Pat was a "one-off" after she invited him round to her flat. "We had a few drinks, then one thing led to another," he said. "At that time, she had a reputation and I had a reputation, and she felt we should meet, as it were. It just happened." I didn't have any control over my own sex drive. I didn't have the strength to control it. Every morning I woke up regretting and hurting Bill Roache Bill and Pat then fell out after a row during filming and she didn't speak to him for two years afterwards. When Anna discovered her husband's infidelity she divorced him in 1974. In an interview with Piers Morgan on his Life Stories show, Bill told how his sexual antics led fellow Coronation Street actors to nickname him "C**k Roache". Piers also pressed him on the number of women he'd slept with, asking if it was 1,000 - to which Bill replied: "Well, I'm not denying it." He went on to marry Sara Mottram in 1978, with whom he shares three children, but they divorced in 2009 - though Bill insisted he was always faithful to her. Bill then dated TV weather girl Emma Jesson, nearly 40 years his junior, until 2013. The actor is now celibate, and claimed: 'I don't need a sexual relationship anymore. Everything works, but I don't have that need for sex I used to have.' Shocking love triangle 18 Emmerdale stars Isabel Hodgins and Danny Miller (right) were accused of having an affair in 2016 Credit: ITV 18 Isabel was dating fellow Emmerdale actor Michael Parr at the time Credit: Collect 18 Danny was in a relationship with Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter Credit: Photo byThings were frosty in the Dales in 2016 when it was claimed Danny Miller, now 34, was having an affair with his co-star Isabel Hodgins, now 31 - who was dating fellow Emmerdale actor Michael Parr, now 38. At the time, Danny was in a relationship with Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter, 36, who found incriminating texts on his phone. It's said to have caused fireworks, with angry cast members splitting into two camps. The Sun reported: "The tension between them caused major problems on set, because Michael made it crystal clear he didn't want to be around Danny." Kirsty was said to be devastated at the betrayal after forgiving Danny's alleged infidelity with a prostitute when drunk. And Michael was believed to be furious with pal Danny for going behind his back, but he stayed with Isabel until they finally split in 2019. Danny is now happily married to childhood sweetheart Steph Jones, and the couple are expecting their third child. Toxic split 18 Tina and Ryan seemed to be one of the most stable soap couples Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock 18 Ryan shares two children with former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh and one with Tina Credit: Instagram It's never wise to mix business and pleasure, but Tina O'Brien, 41, appears to have missed that memo. Aged 17, she dated Bruno Langley, 42, who played her on-screen boyfriend Todd Grimshaw, for a year. When their romance went south, five months later she moved on to Bruno's on-screen brother, Ryan Thomas, 41. Thankfully her ex gave them her blessing, and initially Tina and Ryan seemed to be one of the most stable soap couples - though Tina said their relationship was tempestuous at times due to her bad temper. The pair dated for six years and welcomed daughter Scarlett in 2008. But a month before Scarlett's first birthday, Ryan allegedly told Tina he didn't love her anymore, leaving her "devastated". Tina claimed: "He said I didn't do it for him any more. Those were his words. I was absolutely devastated. He said he didn't want the responsibility of a relationship with me." Both moved on, with Ryan happily engaged to former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 33, with whom he shares two children. Tina married personal trainer Adam Crofts, but earlier this year she reportedly called time on their 14-year relationship. They share a son, Beau. According to a source, Tina is gutted about the breakup but is doing her best to stay positive and is enjoying her life as a single woman. She and Ryan occasionally make digs at each other on social media but have remained relatively harmonious - until Tina was accused of damaging her ex's car with a baseball bat during a late-night bust-up in March 2024.
