Latest news with #LovingandLosingLola
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jessie Wallace gets new EastEnders role as Kat Moon takes over the Queen Vic
Jessie Wallace gets new EastEnders role as Kat Moon takes over the Queen Vic The iconic character - played by Jessie Wallace - is getting a new job on the BBC soap as landlady of the famous fictional pub Kat and Alfie (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron ) Kat Moon is taking over the Queen Vic on EastEnders. The iconic character - played by Jessie Wallace - is getting a new job on the BBC soap as landlady of the famous fictional pub after Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) have been forced to put the boozer up for sale. An insider told The Sun newspaper: "This will be Kat's third time working in the Queen Vic, but this will be her first time at the helm. "It's a full-circle moment for the character, as when she first moved on to Albert Square in 2000, Kat gained employment as a barmaid at the pub. Then, ten years on, she helped Alfie. "But now she's going to be the sole licensee of the boozer and it will kick-start a whole new chapter for the pub." Kat recently got married to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for the third time, over 20 years after their first wedding. Article continues below Other iconic landladies over the years include the likes of Angie Watts (Anita Dobson), Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). On Friday (13.06.25), the final episode from executive producer Chris Clenshaw will air, as he's stepping down after three years in charge of Albert Square. He oversaw many major plots, including 2023's return of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), the award-winning Loving and Losing Lola plot which saw Danielle Harold depart as her alter ego Lola Pearce, who died of a brain tumour. Ben Wadey - who is the show's former story editor - will step up to replace him. EastEnders actor Colin Salmon thinks the show is in a "good spot" as the new boss takes over. He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I have always been a fan. There's great writing, we all work really hard. Article continues below "I think the authenticity of the humour of the East End, it's that you get stuff thrown at you and go, 'Oh that's fine, we'll deal with it', and then it all comes crashing down later, like in life. We're in a very good place with the show and it's fantastic for us." Colin's on-screen wife Harriet Thorpe (Elaine Peacock) said Ben's creativity and collaborative nature will build on Chris' success. She added: "Ben is wonderful. He's creative, collaborative and that's all you need."
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
EastEnders' Colin Salmon says soap is in a 'good spot' as new boss takes over
EastEnders' Colin Salmon says soap is in a 'good spot' as new boss takes over t was announced in September 2024 that Chris Clenshaw - whose final episode credit will air on Friday - is leaving the BBC One soap Colin Salmon (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron ) EastEnders star Colin Salmon says the show is in a "good spot" amid a new Executive Producer taking over. It was announced in September 2024 that Chris Clenshaw - whose final episode credit will air on Friday (13.06.25) - is leaving the BBC One soap after three years as its head, and Ben Wadey, the programme's former Story Editor, will be replacing him. Chris created "mind-blowing plot twists and devastating real-life storylines" - with many coming in 2023, such as the return of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), the award-winning Loving and Losing Lola plot which saw Danielle Harold depart as her alter ego Lola Pearce, who died of a brain tumour. Chris also introduced the Knight family, who took over the Queen Vic, making them the first black and mixed heritage family to run a pub on any UK soap. And Colin - the head of the Knights - says Ben is taking at a high point for EastEnders. Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "I have always been a fan. There's great writing, we all work really hard. Article continues below "I think the authenticity of the humour of the East End, it's that you get stuff thrown at you and go, 'Oh that's fine, we'll deal with it', and then it all comes crashing down later, like in life. We're in a very good place with the show and it's fantastic for us." Colin's on-screen wife Harriet Thorpe (Elaine Peacock) said Ben's creativity and collaborative nature will build on Chris' success. She added: "Ben is wonderful. He's creative, collaborative and that's all you need." EastEnders features a diverse cast, and Colin said Ben's focus will be for the younger actors to be in the spotlight more. He teased: "It's great, we watch the show, we learn, we collaborate. It's nice to see the youngsters coming forward. They're all brilliant, amazing actors." Ben is returning to EastEnders from Channel 4 where he was a Commissioning Executive, overseeing Hollyoaks and a number of original dramas, including Generation Z. He originally worked at EastEnders as the show's Story Editor, and he worked on the soap's 35th anniversary in 2020, as well as a special episode that focused on Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she struggled with her alcoholism. Speaking about his new role as Executive Producer, Ben said: "I'm thrilled to be returning to EastEnders at such an exciting time for the show. "Having grown up watching and loving EastEnders, it sparked my passion for television, and I feel I've known the residents of Walford my entire life – so to lead this iconic BBC soap into its next chapter is a true privilege. Article continues below "I can't wait to collaborate with the exceptional team at EastEnders and build on Chris Clenshaw's brilliant work to deliver unmissable stories to fans - both those who have been watching for years and those just discovering Albert Square."
Extra.ie
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
EastEnders star suspended by BBC over use of disabled slur
Jamie Borthwick, best known for playing Jay Brown in EastEnders, has been suspended by the BBC after footage emerged of him using a derogatory term about disabled people on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. The offensive remark was reportedly made during a phone video while the cast was filming the Strictly 2023 special at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in November. Borthwick allegedly used the slur when referring to the people of Blackpool. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: 'This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC. We have robust processes in place for this.' Disability equality charity Scope also condemned the comment and a spokesperson said: 'Attitudes and language like this are never acceptable. It's not just ignorant and hurtful to disabled people, it has real-world consequences. 'Negative attitudes hold disabled people back in all areas of life, from employment to basic access. Jamie Borthwick. Pic: David Fisher/Shutterstock 'Mr Borthwick needs to reflect on what he said, educate himself, and do better.' Borthwick won the Strictly 2023 Christmas special with partner Nancy Xu. He also earned the Best Actor award at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards for his work on EastEnders, particularly the emotional 'Loving and Losing Lola' storyline, in which his character coped with his wife Lola's brain tumour diagnosis and death.
