Latest news with #JessieWallace
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders fans ‘work out' explosive affair storyline as shock Anthony Trueman return is revealed
EASTENDERS fans are getting excited about a potential upcoming storyline – as they realised one character's return could spell trouble. Yesterday, it was announced that Nicholas Bailey would be back on out screens as hunky Dr Anthony Trueman – who left some hearts broken in his wake. 6 6 Most notably, he was wrapped up in a shocking love triangle with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and her daughter Zoe (Michelle Ryan), who was raised as her sister. As Anthony's father Patrick (Rudolph Walker) prepares to marry Yolande (Angela Wynter), Anthony has been confirmed to be returning to the Square to attend the big event. But with Zoe also making a comeback to Walford, will there be old sparks being reignited? Fans certainly seemed to think so, sharing their theories on Instagram as the announcement was made. "Not this happening at the same time Zoe comes back 🤣" wrote one. "I'm all for this return. Now please can Anthony have a scene with Zoe 👀." wrote another. While a third wrote: "OMG 😍👑💙 Nicolas Bailey can't wait to 👀 him reunited with Patrick and Yolande and Kat and Zoe 👑👑👑👑" Anthony Trueman hasn't been seen on the Square in over 11 years - though his first time around proved to be eventful. Shortly after arriving in 2000, Anthony struck up a romance with Kat – despite the protests of his mother, Audrey, who deeply disapproved of her. While their romance fizzled out, things turned toxic quickly when he moved on with Zoe Slater – the teenage sister (later revealed to be daughter) of Kat. Anthony Trueman and Kat Moon meet as he returns on EastEnders Although he even got engaged to Zoe, he still held a flame for Kat, and when Zoe left the Square the pair slept together once again – on the day he was supposed to marry Zoe. With Kat and Anthony back on, their differing social circles became more apparent, with Kat growing close to Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie) who helped her with her table etiquette ahead of an important dinner. Kat would later discover she was pregnant by Anthony, and considered having an abortion, only to suffer a miscarriage before she could even tell him. Realising they were too different, Kat broke up with Anthony to be with Alfie, who she ended up marrying. When he accidentally causing the death of a pregnant patient, Anthony decided he needed a fresh start and left Walford in 2003 to go travelling. Since then, we've known that he returned to the UK, moved to Scotland and got married – making brief returns for his dad's first wedding to Yolanda, and his brother Paul's funeral. 6 6 6
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders legend returning to Albert Square 11 years after quitting Walford – weeks after Zoe Slater & Max Branning
AN EastEnders legend is returning to Albert Square after 11 years - following in the footsteps of Zoe Slater and Max Branning. Nicholas Bailey has reprised his role as Dr. Anthony Trueman - son of soap stalwart Patrick (Rudolph Walker). 4 4 Originally featuring from 2000 to 2003, Anthony has occasionally returned over the years. He had a relationship with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) during his initial stint. Anthony most recently appeared back in 2014, following his dad Patrick's stroke. Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, said: 'It's great to welcome Nicholas back to the EastEnders family to reunite Patrick with his son. "But Anthony's plan for a brief return to surprise his father ends up with him staying longer than he expected when he uncovers what has been going on in the Trueman household.' Addressing his comeback, Nicholas Bailey said: 'It is an unexpected treat to return to EastEnders and I'm full of gratitude to get the opportunity to revisit the character of Anthony. "It's wonderful to work with Rudolph Walker again - he's such a big part of my journey as an actor and I loved filming my first scenes with him after so long. "I'm excited to see what the passage of time has done to Anthony and explore his relationship with Patrick at this stage in their lives.' Back in 2018, Nicholas expressed an interest in reprising his EastEnders role. He told the Sun's Bizarre column at the time: 'I would go back to EastEnders. "The character is there and I never say never to anything. "If they had a storyline and they had something for me to do then you never say never. 'The character has been good to me. I'd never say no. I would never say I'd never come back. 'It's a character that I love to play. They know where the phone is.' It comes as Zoe Slater recently made her long-awaited return to Albert Square. Michelle Ryan, 41, reprised her beloved role after two decades away from the soap. The legendary Max Branning (Jake Wood) is also set for a return in upcoming scenes. While Max's son Oscar has also returned to Albert Square, with the role recast to Pierre Mouiller. EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
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'
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders fans rage 'sort it out!' after two glaring blunders 'drive them insane' - but can YOU spot them?
EastEnders fans raged 'sort it out!' after two glaring blunders on the BBC soap 'drove them insane'. The popular soap has now been running for 40 years - but despite how long producers have had to get it right, a couple of errors still sometimes slip through. A particularly egregious one fans have spotted recently came when the great and the good of Walford were, of all things, having a cuppa. Eagle-eyed viewers have claimed before that whenever the residents of Albert Square have a hot drink, whether at home or in Kathy's Cafe, there is never anything in the mug. One recent scene, for example, saw Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) make his friend George Knight (Colin Salmon) a comforting cup of tea. But the sweet moment was rather ruined when fans spotted there was neither water, nor milk, nor a teabag in the mug - but instead simply air. The second of the soap's major blunders in recent times was less a repeat offence and more a one-time mistake. One of the latest episodes saw actress Jessie Wallace, who plays the iconic Kat Slater, make a slight faux pas. The scene saw the character, who has been on the show since 2000, tick off her troublemaker teenage son Tommy (Sonny Kendall). The laidback young lad brushed off her stern words by saying, 'Chill out, love', after which Kat, shocked at his cheek, repeated, 'Love?' Actress Jessie, 53, is of solid London stock, born in the north London borough of Enfield. But as she uttered this particular line, fans were convinced she briefly lapsed into a northern accent. Both the mug mishap and the accent accident have seen viewers rush to internet forums in their droves to point them out and debrief. Discussion site Reddit has a dedicated thread, titled 'Empty Cups!', devoted just to discussing the hot drink issue. Discussion site Reddit has a dedicated thread, titled 'Empty Cups!', devoted just to discussing the hot drink issue One person wrote: 'Don't know if anyone else here cannot stand when the actors clearly give someone an empty cup pretending it's a full cup of tea or in the cafe, an empty takeaway cup! 'Why can't they just put an actual drink in it? It is one of my biggest pet peeves watching soaps. Ben Wadey [EastEnders' executive producer], sort it out please!' Other fans were just as peeved, glad someone had finally said it. Another chimed in: 'The way they throw around their clearly empty cups like they're so light and don't need to worry about spillages drives me insane.' Someone else said: 'Yes! It's bothered me for so many years, just put some liquid in there! The fake drinking acting is always so obvious.' One commenter agreed: 'Even just water in a cup would make it more believable.' Some fans, though also annoyed, could see why the producers might have made this choice though: 'Same, it sort of bugs me too. 'I guess it means that nobody will have drink marks around their mouth. Poses less of a health and safety risk I guess [than] if someone spills something all over the floor.' Commenters on X, meanwhile, were more preoccupied with Jessie's accent misadventures Commenters on X, meanwhile, were more preoccupied with Jessie's accent misadventures. One said, amused: 'Absolutely obsessed with Kat going northern.' A reply to the post read: 'No because why did she do this? He didn't even say it like that.' Another agreed: 'I thought it was a really odd way to repeat the word. He's not northern, she isn't. Cute though.' Someone else said: 'Pat Phoenix's spirit returning to Jessie Wallace for a split second in 2025.' They were referring to Jessie playing legendary actress Pat Phoenix in The Road to Coronation Street, a 2010 dramatisation of the creation of the iconic ITV soap. Pat played Elsie Tanner from the series' inception in 1960 to 1973, before returning to the cobbles from 1976 to 1984. It comes after EastEnders icon Zoe Slater - the daughter of Jessie's character Kat - made a bombshell return to the BBC soap after 20 years away. The character - played by Michelle Ryan, 40, and best known for her iconic 'You ain't my mother!' moment - made her first appearance in Monday's episode. Viewers will see Zoe in two further episodes this week but she will be back full-time this summer, as Kat prepares to tie the knot with Alfie Moon for the third time. Zoe was seen as a mystery figure throughout Monday's episode, with her face finally revealed during its closing moments, after her return was kept under wraps. Actress 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 Ben Wadey said: '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.' It has been revealed that since Zoe's exit from Walford 20 years ago, she has become estranged from Kat. 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 20 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.' EastEnders is available to watch on BBC One and to stream on iPlayer.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders fans in hysterics as they spot Kat Slater's blunder – did you notice it?
EASTENDERS fans were left amused over a Kat Slater blunder - but did you catch it? The BBC soap icon - played Jessie Wallace - first arrived in Albert Square back in 2000. 3 3 Viewers found themselves in hysterics during a recent scene featuring Kat. Troublesome teen son Tommy (Sonny Kendall) cheekily told her: "Chill out, love". To which Kat responded by repeating "Love?" - with fans convinced her pronunciation sounded like a northern accent. One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "absolutely obsessed with kat going northern #EastEnders." Another added: "no bc why did she do this, he didn't even say it like that LMFAOOO." A third shared: "I thought it was a really odd way to repeat the word. He's not northern, she isn't. Cute though." While a fourth chimed in: "Pat Phoenix's spirit returning to Jessie Wallace for a split second in 2025 #EastEnders." The last comment referred to Jessie, 53, playing Corrie legend Pat Phoenix in 2010's Road to Coronation Street. This TV movie depicted a young Tony Warren first devising Corrie in the 1960s. As for EastEnders, viewers finally got their long-time wish as Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) returned after 20 years. EastEnders' Tommy Moon violently punches mum Kat Slater in harrowing scenes Viewers will likely remember the iconic "You ain't my mother" scene from 2001. The mother-daughter spectacle with Kat and Zoe cemented the pair among the BBC soap's most iconic characters. In a chat from the soap set, Michelle opened up to Good Morning Britain 's Entertainment Reporter Richard Arnold about reuniting with her on-screen mum. She said: "I've always loved working with Jessie. Kat Moon's EastEnders Timeline Kat Slater burst onto the Square in 2000 as feisty Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace. She is the eldest sister of the Slater family. She soon makes a big name for herself. She is a loud and brash character who is renowned for her leopard print skimpy outfits and loads of red lipstick. She has played the 'tart with a heart' character but has also had an epic love story with Alfie. Here is a rundown of her greatest soap storylines. Kat arrives in Walford as part of the Slater clan, She soon begins a fling with Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) behind the back of his girlfriend Mel Healey. Kat's sister Zoe (played by Michelle Ryan) was revealed to be her sister after shocked viewers learned she was raped by her uncle Harry Slater as a child and Kat being only 13, was known as her sister. Kat and Zoe's relationship was turbulent. They both vied for the attentions of Anthony Trueman. Kat and Anthony were together but broke up and Zoe then seduced him. Kat later learns she was pregnant but then has to have an abortion. She is comforted by her boss Alfie Moon but then he realises he is in love with her. Kat, becomes briefly engaged to Andy Hunter a local crime boss (Michael Briggs) but she jilts him on her wedding day for the true love her life Alfie. Kat sparks a romance with Alfie Moon and it is the love story of the square. She finally marries Alfie Moon on Christmas day in the Vic. Alfie takes a loan from Andy which he is unable to repay and then threatens to kill him unless Kat sleeps with him. Their relationship becomes cold and distant. One of Kat's biggest storylines was helping her daughter cover up the murder of Dirty Den Watts. She left the soap in 2005 sailing into the sunset with Alfie for a new life in America. Kat returned to the soap in 2010 on the run from a man who she and Alfie conned for money. While Alfie was serving time, she had an affair with Michael Moon who happened to be Alfies cousin and she is now pregnant with his child. Another Kat storyline focused on the breakdown of her and Alfie's marriage and her separation from Tommy and their twin sons Bert and Ernie. Kat's union with Phil Mitchell began after months of feuding. She then sleeps with him marries him beginning a war with his ex Sharon Mitchell over the Mitchell empire. The latest storyline has focused on her son Tommy who idolised Phil and is trying to get back at Kat for breaking up the marriage. Kat meanwhile is back with the love of her life Alfie who is suffering from cancer. "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. "And when she found out I had the job again she was screaming and I was just like, this just feels like coming home." EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 3
