EastEnders

The soap legend who played loveable cabbie Charlie Slater in EastEnders has sadly died aged 92, with his family by his side. He once opened up about his son’s struggle that shaped how he played his role on-screen

Derek Martin captured the hearts of the nation as devoted patriarch Charlie Slater in EastEnders, and it turns out his personal family struggle inspired his protective role on screen.

The soap legend, who has sadly died aged 92, was best known for playing Charlie on the BBC soap opera, a role he held from 2000 to 2011, with occasional appearances in 2013 and 2016.

Derek’s heartbroken family described him as a “truly an amazing person who was very talented in the filming industry and many other thing” in a statement issued. It’s understood that he passed away in hospital on Saturday night, with his loved ones by his side.

The former East End butcher, born Derek William Rapp, started his TV career as a stuntman on Doctor Who. However, after breaking his collarbone while filming Elizabeth R, he made the decision to focus on acting. And after appearing in the likes of Law & Order, King and Castle and Eldorado, he soon found himself appearing in The Bill, Only Fools and Horses and Little Britain – as himself. But to millions, he was known as the loveable London cabbie, Charlie on EastEnders.

READ MORE: Derek Martin dead: EastEnders’ Charlie Slater legend dies aged 92

Derek celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023, ringing in the special milestone with his two lookalike sons, David and Jonathan. The soap star spoke candidly about his own son David’s struggle with depression in the past as his EastEnders character dealt with a similiar issue on screen.

Back in 2016 on Albert Square, Charlie’s great-niece Stacey Branning suffered from depression and postpartum psychosis. And her troubles felt close to home for Derek. He said at the time: “At work I had the Stacey storyline. Then, I got home and there was my son, who I’d been worried about during the day, suffering from severe depression.”

Charlie first appeared in the soap in September 2000. Derek, however, had originally auditioned for the roles of Den Watts and Frank Butcher in the 1980s and made the shortlist for both.

When he auditioned for Charlie, he was offered a contract with a minimum term of three years, with the potential to stay for a longer period of time. Of the role of Charlie, Derek said it was like putting on an “old coat, and he had hoped to remain on the show until he died.

His character was known for being the glue which held the Slater family together and was “positive as long as his family was around him.” Nine years after he first arrived in Walford, it was announced that Derek would be taking a break from the show.

In 2016, Charlie was killed off from EastEnders after the character suffered a heart attack, but the actor said it had been “wonderful.” Speaking of his departure, he commented: “I spoke to Dominic, the executive producer, and he explained [the storyline] and said he’d give me a good send-off. In a way, it’s closure, after 11 years, which for an actor is wonderful.”

THEY once had the world eating out of their hands – then they walked away. 

At the very peak of fame some of the world’s sexiest celebrities have shocked fans by choosing to abandon the red carpets and glamorous modelling deals.

And the reasons are more surprising than you think.

Anna Kournikova

She had the looks and the clout – and was once the most Googled person on the planet.

But since retiring from professional tennis aged 21, Anna Kournikova has stayed out of the spotlight and rarely posts on social media.

In 2002 she was voted the world’s sexiest woman and became a lads’ mag favourite, gracing the covers of Maxim and FHM.

‘MY SUNSHINE’

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Anna Kournikova shares 1st pic of all four of her children with Enrique Inglesias

These days the reclusive tennis icon lives a normal life being a mum to her four kids.

The turning point for the Russian beauty appears to have been when she found love with latin heartthrob Enrique Iglesias.

They met in 2001 on the set of his “Escape” music video and have been together ever since.

She also said she felt at times like her good looks stood in the way of her game. She previously said: “Being in the spotlight since I was a child was really hard.

“I did feel pressure when people were saying things like, ‘You’re too pretty, you can’t play,’ or whatever.

“I would get so nervous and get anxiety on the court, I wouldn’t be able to move.”

Anna, 44, and Enrique, 48, welcomed their fourth child together earlier this month.

Yasmine Bleeth

Yasmine was one of Hollywood’s hottest stars after she turned a guest appearance on Baywatch – alongside Pamela Anderson – into a three-season stint.

She filmed 72 episodes in total over the space of five years, as well as featuring in several spin-off films and TV shows.

It helped to launch her modelling career, and even led the actress to release her own line of swimwear.

She also dated Matthew Perry and Don Johnson at the height of their fame.

But the former Baywatch star has rarely been seen in public over the past two decades and is now one of Hollywood’s most reclusive stars.

Yasmine faced struggles in her personal life, when her career fell apart due to substance abuse issues.

The screen siren, 56, quit acting in the early 2000s after a battle with addiction that followed her rise to fame in the 90s.

Studios and directors blacklisted her when she relapsed after leaving a rehab clinic and ended up getting arrested in 2001 when police found cocaine in her car following a crash.

While she was in rehab she met strip club owner Paul Cerrito and the pair tied the knot in August 2002.

The couple now split their time between LA and Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 2013, Yasmine remarked: “Consciously trying to stay off drugs is now part of my life and always will be.”

Bridget Fonda

Bridget Fonda has not been seen in a movie role since 2002.

In 1997 she played Melanie in Quentin Tarantino’s action caper Jackie Brown, landing the role after sitting next to him on a plane.

Bridget, also famed for her role in Single White Female, simply claimed the reason she had shunned the spotlight was because she has now surrendered to her “civilian” life.

She won three major awards during her career – two Golden Globes and an Emmy.

Her last acting credit was as the titular character in the 2002 made-for-television film Snow Queen.

Following her retirement, Bridget suffered injuries from a bad car accident in which she fractured her back in 2003.

According to BBC, Bridget was alone in her Jaguar when the vehicle careened over a divider on the Pacific Coast Highway, experiencing “a slight fracture of two thoracic vertebrae.”

She reportedly only survived because she was wearing a seatbelt.

The star did return to the red carpet once in 2009 when she attended the premiere of Quentin Tarantino film Inglorious Bastards.

Bridget is part of the famous Fonda family, which also includes her grandfather – Oscar-winner Henry Fonda of Once Upon A Time In The West – and actress and fitness icon Jane Fonda, 88, who is Bridget’s aunt.

But it didn’t take long before Bridget’s career took off with speed as she starred in The Godfather Part III in 1990.

She was photographed for the first time in over a decade in 2022 and looked a world away from her acting heyday.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere rose to fame on NBC superhero drama Heroes, but her other credits included Nashville, Malcolm in the Middle and Ally McBeal.

Hayden, who played a struggling pop star in drama Nashville in 2012, fell from the spotlight after she turned to the bottle to cope with post-partum depression.

The star also took opioid painkillers to deal with a neck injury which left her in “a lot of pain”, she “mixed” them with alcohol, and they became a “problem”.

Hayden underwent her first stint in rehab in 2015 while still filming for hit show Nashville, before deciding to leave fame behind.

And when she failed to stop drinking the first time round, she returned for treatment in 2021, enrolling in a 12-month programme.

It took eight months of “intensive therapy” to help Hayden get better.

In 2023 she was seen in her first acting role since her struggles, as she reprised her character Kirby Reed in horror film Scream VI.

Hayden also opened up for the first time about her battle with addiction as she recalled her rise to fame on Heroes.

While fans loved her character Claire Bennett, off-screen Hayden was battling some dark demons.

She revealed in the interview that her addiction began with what she called “happy pills,” alleging that she was first offered them before red carpet appearances at just 15 years old.

She told PEOPLE: “They were to make me peppy during interviews, I had no ideas this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction.

“My saving grace is that I couldn’t be messy while on set and working.

“But things kept getting out of control [off set]. And as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn’t live without.”

Elaine Lordan

EastEnders beauty Elaine Lordan played legendary character Lynne Hobbs from 2000 to 2004.

But Elaine was convicted of drink-driving after consuming five vodkas in 2004, resulting in a one-year driving ban and her departure from the soap.

At the time, a source said: “It was decided to make the changes after she had a few problems with drinking. It has been done to help her rather than to punish her.”

She then left the soap in 2005 and her life took a tragic turn, when her mother died by suicide at the age of 62.

Nine months later, Elaine suffered another tragedy with the death of her one-year-old son James. 

He had breathing difficulties caused by a condition known as diaphragmatic hernia and died just three days after Elaine married his father, former BBC technician Peter Manuel.

She became pregnant again in 2007 but miscarried shortly afterwards. The following year, her father died.

Elaine appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2005 but was forced to leave after fainting twice on the first day and being airlifted out.

She then largely disappeared from public view, although in 2018 she was seen drinking mini bottles of wine on the street before midday.

She was last pictured in 2020 looking far healthier while out jogging with her husband.

A huge pop star was revealed as Goldfish, the lead singer of a group called No Trout, in the launch episode of The Masked Singer as the hit series returned to ITV on Saturday

Anne-Marie was revealed as Goldfish on the launch episode of The Masked Singer. In a first for the programme, the first two episodes will feature a full band, and the panel also had to guess the identity of the lead singer.

After performing as Bruno Marse and Rose hit Apt part of a group called No Trout, the judges correctly guessed the identity of the singer. Following her unmasking, the songstress said: “When I was at school, I had a very short attention span! I’m used to the voice just going that way [in front of me] but in the thing, it was like ‘Oh, that’s what I sound like!” She then gave her first unmasked performance for the studio audience of her signature track 2002.

Fans were thrilled with the star’s appearance, with one writing on X: “Anne-Marie is sooooo good and such a lovely person, that unmasked performance was beautiful!!” But others had guessed it long before the unmasking took place, with one writing: “Knew it was Anne Marie purely by the way she stood” and another said: “Anne Marie was possibly the most obvious unmasking ever. I knew Goldfish was Anne Marie.”

READ MORE: The Masked Singer fans confused as ITV confirms last-minute schedule changeREAD MORE: The Masked Singer’s Goldfish ‘revealed’ as clue ‘gives it away’ they’re huge pop star

Prior to the revelation, Goldfish asked Davina: “How did it feel to be top of the Christmas tree?” and then asked Jonathan: “They say goldfish have a three-second memory. We’ll be the Judge of that!” Mo received: “54x4x10-166+8=X”, and Maya got a text that says: “I heard you became an award-winning billionaire by swimming upstream!”

The equation, which gives an answer of 2002, was possibly the biggest clue yet. The pop track was released by Anne-Marie in 2018, and references the period of time in which music icons like Britney Spears, Jay-Z and N*Sync ruled the charts. Eager fans who had spotted a preview of the series had already guessed who was behind the mask before it even went to air.

Previously, it was claimed that the new format with the bands was a way of keeping viewers guessing.

The Sun reported that a source said: “As The Masked Singer heads into series seven in the UK, bosses are keeping everyone on their toes by upping the ante on clues and throwing in even more unmaskings. “The franchise’s first-ever bands are going to blow everyone’s minds – but viewers will be left scratching their heads as to whether the band is a big clue or not. “The celebrities hiding inside might run solo in their real lives, or they might be part of some sort of group, or could even be exactly what it says on the tin – an actual frontman or woman.

“Viewers are going to be more bamboozled than ever, but it’s going to be lots of fun.” Viewers can expect to see four unmaskings in the first two episodes. Goldfish and Emperor Penguin are extra celebrities on top of the 12-person lineup.

Last year, the programme was won by West End legend Samantha Barks, who had dressed up as Puffer Fish throughout the series’ run. Samantha, who found fame on the BBC’s I’d Do Anything alongside Coronation Street actress Jodie Prenger and then starred in the film adaptation of Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

Upon her victory, she said: “I feel like I’ve lived this double life because I’ve had these crazy experiences, but nobody in my life knows [about] this, so I’ve loved it!

“I’ve had the best time, I really have. Underneath the mask, it’s been hurting my cheeks because I’ve been smiling so hard! Thank you so much!”

Samantha, who is also known for having played the lead in the West End production of Disney’s Frozen, had fought off competition from celebrities like EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy, singer Macy Gray, and Celebrity Trators star Kate Garraway, amongst a host of others.

Other previous stars to have been brave enough to take part in the fun show include Dionne Warwick, Prue Leith, Daisy May Cooper, Glenn Hoddle, Mel Giedroyc, Sir Lenny Henry and Lorraine Kelly.

The Masked Singer, ITV1/ITVX, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th January, 6.30pm

Run Away on Netflix is based on author and executive producer Harlan Coben’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Netflix’s upcoming thriller Run Away is about to hit the screens and it features a star-studded cast that viewers will recognise.

For several years now, Netflix has been delivering Harlan Coben dramas, from The Stranger and Fool Me Once to this year’s 2025 Missing You and now, another one is on its way.

Run Away, based on Coben’s 2019 novel of the same name, tells the gripping tale of a desperate father searching for his drug-addicted daughter who has disappeared after severing ties with her family.

As with any Harlan Coben drama, Run Away is packed with familiar faces so here’s a rundown of the cast.

Run Away on Netflix cast

Simon Greene – James Nesbitt

Simon had an idyllic family life until his daughter Paige (portrayed by Ellie de Lange) ran away from home.

Six months later, he finally locates her, but this discovery triggers a series of other distressing events.

James Nesbitt, who plays Simon, first gained fame as Adam Williams in the comedy-drama Cold Feet. More recently, he’s known for his roles in The Hobbit franchise as Bofur and BBC drama Bloodlands as DCI Tom Brannick.

He has also appeared in other Harlan Coben dramas such as Stay Close and Missing You.

Elena Ravenscroft – Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones, famous for her role as the enigmatic yet endearing Nessa Jenkins in Gavin and Stacey, is another key member of the cast.

Her other notable roles include Stella, Hattie, Fat Friends, Little Britain, and Nighty Night.

Jones takes on the role of private investigator Elena Ravenscroft who becomes involved while investigating another case of a young person running away from home.

Isaac Fagbenle – Alfred Enoch

Detective Isaac Fagbenle, played by Alfred Enoch, is at the centre of a gripping investigation with Simon as the prime suspect.

Enoch is best known for his roles as Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter series and Wes Gibbins in the legal thriller How To Get Away With Murder.

Paige Greene – Ellie de Lange

Ellie de Lange, who has starred in acclaimed dramas such as Wolf Hall, The Serpent, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Arcadia, portrays Ellie, Simon’s daughter.

Her character takes a dark turn, running away and falling into homelessness and drug addiction.

Cornelius Faber – Lucian Msamati

While living in a dilapidated flat with her boyfriend, Ellie befriends Cornelius, their neighbour. He becomes instrumental in helping Simon locate his daughter, but can he truly be trusted?

Lucian Msamati, known for his roles as Salladhor Saan in HBO’s Game of Thrones, David Runihura in Black Earth Rising and Ed Dumani in Sky’s Gangs of London, brings Cornelius to life.

Jessica Kinberg – Tracy-Ann Oberman

Tracy-Ann Oberman, famous for her roles as the fiery Chrissie Watts in EastEnders and Auntie Val in the popular comedy Friday Night Dinner, plays Jessica Kinberg, Simon’s no-nonsense lawyer who goes to great lengths to keep him out of trouble.

Ingrid Greene – Minnie Driver

Ingrid, Simon’s wife, is desperate to bring her daughter back home safely. She is terrified for her daughter’s wellbeing and will stop at nothing to ensure her safe return.

The character is portrayed by actress Minnie Driver, who is widely recognised for her role as Skylar in Good Will Hunting alongside Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams.

Driver’s other notable performances include The Riches, Speechless, The Serpent Queen, The Borderline and, most recently, she graced the fifth season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris as Princess Jane.

The ensemble cast also features:

Lou – Annette Badland

Ash – Jon Pointing

Dee Dee – Maeve Courtier-Lilley

Yvonne – Ingrid Oliver

Wiley Corval – Joe McGann

Run Away is set to premiere on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, on Netflix.

EastEnders newcomer Ronni Ancona famously impersonated characters on the BBC soap years before the news she would join the cast as Linda Carter’s old classmate Bea

Comedian and actress Ronni Ancona has revealed all about joining the EastEnders cast, teasing twists and turns ahead.

The star, who famously performed impressions of the soap’s characters and cast in the Big Impression show, will take on the role of Linda Carter’s old schoolfriend Bea. Viewers will see her debut at a school reunion where she and Linda come face-to-face for the first time in years.

We’re set to find out more about Linda’s time at school, as Bea is left gutted by their different perspectives. Teasing the scenes, Ronni shared: “Bea was in a more senior year at school than Linda, but that didn’t stop her being intimidated by her. They have both got very different perspectives on what happened at school, and initially she is very upset and slighted by that.

“There are lots of twists and turns and lots of unexpected developments. She’s a mercurial character who is witty, and charismatic, yet vulnerable as well.” Teasing what fans can expect from her character, Ronni shared: “Ben [Wadey, Executive Producer] loves comedy and wanted to bring in a character who was both tragic and funny.

READ MORE: EastEnders legend Pam St Clement admits struggle with emotional returnREAD MORE: Coronation Street stars tease Becky’s downfall as they share Corriedale spoiler

“Bea is misunderstood, and there’s a touch of desperation about her. When she feels cornered, she can become rather dangerous. Deep down, she just wants to be loved and to fit in. She’s the sort of person who ‘window-shops’ other people’s lives, trying to reshape herself into whoever she thinks others want her to be.

“In her mind, that’s the only way to earn love and attention – which is, unfortunately, quite misguided. Bea is intelligent, but she’s never achieved what she hoped for, so there’s an underlying frustration that her life hasn’t lived up to her potential.

“She has shades of a Walter Mitty–type character; you’re never entirely sure how much of what she says is real. She’s complex, nuanced, and unusual – someone who has become convinced by her own narrative.” Ronni confessed it was “bizarre” to step onto the soap after years of impersonating its legendary characters. She revealed: “It all felt rather bizarre and completely surreal.

“We always made those sketches with real respect and affection for the show and its cast, so stepping onto the actual set for the first time was an especially strange experience. Although thinking about it I think they let us film our ‘EastEnders the Musical’ on the outside lot, which would have been the old set.

“My first scene was on the bench in the middle of Albert Square – exactly where Alastair [McGowan] and I had once filmed our sketch ‘The Bench of Tears.’ That moment was so surreal I immediately phoned him to say, ‘I’ve just done a scene on the bench of tears,’ and he practically shouted, ‘NO WAY!’

“To add to the oddness, several members of the crew had worked with me years ago on Big Impression and The Sketch Show with Lee Mack, so it felt like past and present were colliding. Filming in the Vic for the first time was unexpectedly emotional. I couldn’t help remembering my impression of Peggy Mitchell, played by the much-missed Barbara Windsor.

“I adored her, and I know she enjoyed the impression, so walking into her domain properly was a real moment. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous about meeting some of the cast I’d impersonated, but they all have a brilliant sense of humour.

“Jessie Wallace even did my impression of her back at me, which was hysterical. I may now have to do my impression of her impression, it could become an endless loop.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey has teased what BBC soap fans can expect in 2026, and in the fallout to Max Branning’s special flash forward episode on New Year’s Day

If fans thought the end of EastEnders 2025 was dramatic, wait until they see what’s in store in 2026.

Executive Producer Ben Wadey has dropped huge hints at the storylines on the way, and the characters set to take centre stage. We already know Max Branning will be a key character, and the Brannings in general.

They feature in a flash forward episode this New Year’s Day, which pans into the same day in 2027. With details being kept under wraps, Ben teased the fallout of the episode.

What was also shared was the other big plots unfolding across the next 12 months, with Ben confirming the return of abusive teenager Joel Marshall. Linda Carter and Honey and Billy Mitchell also feature in new drama, as does Harry Mitchell, Ravi Gulati and Phil Mitchell.

READ MORE: EastEnders’ Max Branning’s huge wedding mystery in flash forward episodeREAD MORE: EastEnders spoilers: Anthony’s cause of death as killer revealed and Patrick grieves

Ben spilled of what fans can expect: “We’ve got lots ahead, lots of new stuff that I’m excited about. You may have seen we’ve just announced Ronni Ancona joining the show, which I am very, very excited about. I’m a huge fan of her work and she brings such a unique tone to it.

“I was really interested in just having a story that has a bit more kind of tragic comedy coming through it. She’s an old school friend of Linda’s and she’s called Bea. Bea arrives and her memory of Linda is very different to Linda’s memory of Linda.

“Bea is the sort of character who might attach herself onto people so she kind of comes in and gets to reacquaint herself with Linda. It’s also going to be a big story for some other characters.

Billy and Honey are going to be big in the new year and will be involved in that story as well, so it’s a story which, as a team, every time we watch it and read it we love it. We laugh and we cry and it’s really, really fun.

“Honey and Bea. After the misogyny story last year where we saw Joel was arrested, we’ve got his trial coming up so we’re gonna see Joel again as he faces the consequences of his actions. He’s pleading not guilty, and I think everyone’s struggling with why on Earth he’s put everyone through a trial.

“Vicki’s really going through the ringer of that, and Vicki, who wants to be committed so badly to Ross, but associates Ross now with everything that happened with Joel, her eye has been wandering slightly towards Zack.

“So we’ve got a big soapy love triangle in the mix of the new year. We’ve got a big story for Ravi going forward as he faces the consequences of his actions and all the awful things that he did in the previous few months, and what that starts to do to his psyche and his family.

“A revenge plot from Harry Mitchell kicks us off early in the new year, and the continuation of Phil and Nigel’s story. That beautiful episode, that will continue through and give us heart and warmth and just realism, and just gorgeous performances. Those relationships kind of see us through further into 2026.”

On the fallout to the flash forward, he went on: “You don’t have to wait an entire year to get all the answers, you’ll be getting answers from almost the episode after and then through every month, we’ll be giving you little bits. But also we twist a lot in that episode.

“Things are not as they seem so things that you will assume are going on there when you watch them in a year’s time will actually have quite a different light on them. But there’ll be lots of things within that episode that within the first few weeks and months, quite big answers you will start to get as an audience which I hope will be really satisfying that it kind of comes comes throughout the year.

“The plan is we’ll re-see elements of that [episode] which will make sense in the new light. There’ll be new scenes, there’ll be additional elements, so without giving too much away, it will be I think a very satisfying kind of coming together of two halves that I think will answer questions and be very satisfying to watch.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Former EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick cut a glum figure as he shared a new year message with his followers months after being axed from the long-running BBC soap

It’s been a year to forget for Jamie Borthwick, and now the actor has shared a sad Christmas message. Months after being let go by EastEnders producers, Jamie, 31, has uploaded a sombre looking image and message.

He had played the part of Jay on the BBC soap since 2006. However, following a fallout amid Strictly chaos, Jamie found himself suspended by the soap. Three months later, he was axed, losing his role in September this year.

Now, in a rare social media update, Jamie has tried to look on the positive side of things – even if his picture appears to portray a different message. Taking to Instagram, he shared a picture of himself looking glum while wearing a paper Christmas hat.

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The black-and-white image was accompanied with the words: “Wishing everybody a very merry Christmas and let’s hope for a slightly better 2026 for us all xx.” He added a peering face emoji and an emoji of a face giggling.

Jamie has largely remained off social media since his axing from the long-running soap. He had been suspended following footage being revealed in which he used a severely derogatory term.

He was heard using the offensive term for people with disabilities to describe Blackpool residents while filming Strictly in the seaside town. The BBC said at the time that his language, caught in a clip on a phone, was “entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect”.

At the time, BBC Studios, which makes the soap, said: “We can confirm that Jamie Borthwick will not be returning to EastEnders. We do not comment on individual matters.”

Disability charity Scope said that Jamie should reflect on what he had said and urged him to educate himself. It added: “We hope he takes the opportunity to get to know the reality of disabled people’s lives.”

The star, who had played funeral home manager Jay Brown, was spotted after the decision looking downcast and unshaven. It is understood he was only told about the bosses’ decision days before news broke.

He had reportedly been set to return to set to recommence filming after the suspension. However, he was instead shown the door. with the BBC saying: “We are very clear on our expectations that inappropriate behaviour and language will not be tolerated.”

In June, Jamie said: “I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning.

“That is on me completely. Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong.”

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EastEnders flashes forward to New Year’s Eve 2026 showing Max Branning getting married, but even the cast don’t know who the bride will be

New Year’s Eve in Walford is always more explosive than a firework display, but this year is set to bring a fresh set of mysteries to its celebrations, as EastEnders jumps a year into the future.

During the Christmas specials, viewers watched as Chrissie Watts (Tracy Ann-Oberman) revealed she’d been the one tormenting Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). But now the countdown to New Year’s Eve is on, and it’s all about the Brannings.

In the upcoming episode, the show will flash forward a year in time to New Year’s Eve 2026. As Walford prepares to ring in 2027, Max Branning (Jake Wood) is getting married. But to whom? What does his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) think? And what has his year been like up until then?

Ahead of the New Year’s episode, Mirror hears from Jake and Jacqueline. “I think Max is probably at an all-time low on New Year’s Eve,” Jake says. It’s not hard to imagine – in the lead up to Christmas, Max discovered he had a secret daughter that Lauren had lied to him about. “And then we go into the flash forward and it’s in such stark contrast. So see a man who’s maybe at his lowest we’ve ever seen him and then we flash forward and things are maybe not quite as bad.”

He added that he was really excited about new love interests who will be introduced for his character and shared that even he didn’t know who his character would marry in 2027.

Fans have already started speculating about it, especially as a drunken Max slept with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) over Christmas. Some wonder if Cindy, who didn’t realise it was Max, will be the bride – despite the fact that she blames Max for her son Stephen’s death.

Jake’s onscreen daughter Jacqueline Jossa also said she had “so many questions” and that none of the cast know who Max is set to marry. “I haven’t got a clue so we’ll find out next year probably with all of you lot.”

She revealed that though she got a full script for the New Year’s episode, it had so many gaps, she still didn’t know what would happen in 2026. “Obviously we’ll get the answers as we go which means every time I get a script now, I’m looking for the answer.” But this wasn’t easy: “There’s so many questions and no answers.”

Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, viewers watched as Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) met up with Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), revealing that the evil murderer was the true mastermind tormenting Zoe ( Michelle Ryan ). Why did the two team up? Jasmine felt abandoned by the mother who walked out on her and her brother when she was an infant, and Chrissie felt Zoe hadn’t paid for her part in Den Watts’ (Leslie Grantham) murder 20 years ago.

Since she returned, Zoe, who believed her daughter had died, has been looking for her son – something Jasmine has resented. But some fans think all Zoe will find is a grave. Writing on Reddit, one fan said, “I said it on another thread, but I think the boy twin is dead.

“I think he’ll have needed a transplant of some sort, and Jasmine wasn’t a match – but Zoe could have been. But because she abandoned the babies at the hospital and they had no record of her, no one was able to find her, and the twin died. Hence why Jasmine is angry as f***.”

Fans replied to the post, agreeing it was an “interesting theory”. If true, it could explain why Zoe’s private investigator never managed to find any further details about her son and his current whereabouts.

Jasmine hasn’t yet offered any new information about her brother or her life before arriving in Walford a few months ago. Nor has she revealed why she has been so obsessed with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Now, the New Year will focus on Max Branning and the flash forward episode.

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EastEnders fans rejoiced as the Witches of Walford reunited in explosive scenes that played out in the BBC soap’s famous pub on Christmas Day as various truths were outed

EastEnders fans rejoiced as the Witches of Walford reunited in explosive scenes that aired on Christmas Day. The BBC soap aired its festive special on Thursday evening, and it was revealed exactly who had been tormenting Zoe Slater with threatening letters over the past few months.

Zoe made a much-anticipated comeback to the serial earlier this year, and it emerged later that she had twins almost 20 years ago. At the time, it was believed that the little girl had died and she had given her son away for adoption. Having been searching for her son for months, Zoe finally believed her son was about to turn up on Christmas Day, but it was all a wicked plot set up by a mysterious figure.

Earlier in the day, Zoe got into an altercation with Antony Trueman, the biological father of her children, at the top of the stairs in the Queen Vic which ended with her knocked out cold. In a surprise twist though, it was revealed that Zoe had woken up relatively unharmed and Anthony was dead.

READ MORE: EastEnders’ Jasmine’s link to Cindy ‘explained’ as Chrissie’s secret family ‘revealed’READ MORE: EastEnders’ Tracy-Ann Oberman breaks silence on ‘obsession’ amid Zoe stalker hell

After Kat discovered them, she cleared out the pub and they were greeted by Chrissie Watts, who was last seen in 2024 driving away from the square following a long spell in prison for the murder of her husband Den. Chrissie, who had broken into the pub and fired up a karaoke microphone, said: “Ladies. Both of you. What a treat! Zoe pleaded: “Where’s my son?” as Chrissie confirmed: “He’s not coming I’m afraid…”

She added: “Torturing? With a few harmless games? I thought it was time we’d have a little reunion. It’s been so long. You’re not a drippy little girl anymore. Life has really toughened you up.” Zoe demanded to know why Chrissie was back on the scene, but she wouldn’t say anything without having a drink first.

It was then that Jasmine Fisher stepped into the pub and Chrissie confirmed that they knew each other. Zoe worked out that Jasmine was her daughter, even though she thought she had died several years ago. Jasmine said: “Only because you couldn’t be bothered to stick around the hospital long enough to hear me cry.” Through tears, Zoe pleased: “They took you away! You weren’t breathing,” but Jasmin continued: “Maybe I should be flattered because at least you didn’t just abandon me like you did my brother.”

“We’ve known each other a while, haven’t we, Jas? I was back in London seeing my parole officers. They can’t get enough of me, I’m a popular girl. Anyway, I bring up my phone, and there’s a picture of my old pal Zoe. You’d been through the wars. I thought it was a sign and decided to bring flowers. But when I got there, they wouldn’t let anyone near you and that’s when I bumped into this lovely one.”

“We both hate you. We wanted to teach you a lesson.” Jasmine raged that Zoe had never tried to find her once she knew she was alive but Kat reasoned: “We only found out today!” Chrissie twisted the knife further and brought up the fact that Zoe had slept with her husband Den several years ago.

Coldly, she added: “I pay for my crimes. And now you’re gonna pay for yours. But your punishment is gonna be in here. You’ve got a lovely little girl and you’re never gonna get to know her.”

Kat told Jasmine: “Look at her, she has really suffered, she has spent her whole life regretting this and yes, she makes bad decisions but she’s not a bad person. This here, Chrissie, she’s the evil one.” There was then another twist for fans as Sam Mitchell made her grand return to the soap by stepping out from behind the bar.

She said: “It’s not often that I side with Kat Slater. But she’s right. Chrissie Watts is evil.” Fans of the long-running BBC soap, which celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year, will know that Chrissie, Sam and Zoe formed the trio known as The Witches of Walford during their 2000s heyday.

At the time, an iconic storyline saw Chrissie instigating a revenge plot against her husband Den, and persuading Sam and Zoe to go along with her before she tried to frame them for Den’s murder.

Chrissie said: “The three of us. Back again. Who’s gonna turn up next? The ghost of Den?” Sam then asked Chrissie if she was related to Jasmine, and even though Zoe protested that she was the mother, Chrissie cut in to say: “She could’ve been mine! She’s the same age as the baby I lost in prison.”

Kat then demanded the three of them leave but Zoe, now in tears, tried to make her long-lost daughter see that Chrissie had simply goaded her into another revenge plot. Sam then brought up Chrissie’s manipulative ways to try to make Jasmin see sense.

Outside, Jasmine tried to get rid of Chrissie and insisted that she would be “better off” alone. Chrissie then warned Jasmine against mentioning her name to any law authorities, and walked back out of Albert Square. Jasmin and Zoe had a heart-to-heart, and when the police did arrive, Zoe stopped Kat from trying to cover for her and handed herself in as her mother wept.

Fans were quick to react to the reunion, with one fan writing on X: “Hahaha chrissie appearing like that in the Vic,” and a second added: “Kat, meet one of your first grandchildren!”

Another said: “This is vintage” and a fourth added: “Sam, Zoe and Chrissie in the same room in 20 years [crying emoji],” whilst another dramatically exclaimed: “THIS IS A HUGE SHOWDOWN!”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Former EastEnders star Liam Hatch has addressed the backlash he faced when he was cast as a schoolboy in the legendary BBC soap opera, despite nearing the age of 30

An EastEnders star has opened up about the backlash they faced over their controversial casting. Liam Hatch, 29, was cast as school bully Logan in the BBC soap opera last year, and fans were left quite bewildered.

Despite playing a Year 12 schoolboy, who intimidated Amy Mitchel and Denzel Danes, Liam’s character was ten years older than the typical Year 12 students in England, who are between 16 and 17 in the UK. Introduced by Kate Oates and Chris Clenshaw, Liam’s character appeared in just one episode and attracted a fair amount of criticism on social media.

Many viewers were shocked to discover his Instagram page, which boasts topless gym snaps and his annual birthday snap, which sees him posing nude as the camera takes a picture from behind. Now, the actor has spoken in depth about the backlash he faced.

“The grief I had from it, from Twitter – I sell mortgages, I’m 41, the oldest man alive,” he said. Liam joked: “I don’t look that old!” He went on to explain that he wasn’t 16 when he took on the role, saying: “I was 26.”

Speaking about the response he received from friends and family, the athlete and actor added on the Rokman Podcast: “All my friends and family were like ‘Are you okay? People are taking the p**s out of you. Your age, looks.’ I was like ‘Oh God, I’m not that bad. I’m sure I SPF every day. I look good.

“My dad was loving it, he was like ‘He’s on The Sun!’ I think I’m the only man to be on Page 3 of The Sun topless!” He continued: “I always say to everyone, if your name is coming out of other people’s mouths, you’ve done something, and it doesn’t matter how good or bad it is, it’s happening.”

At the time of Liam’s episode airing, fans were quick to share their thoughts on social media. One said: “Why is this 44-year-old man walking around in a school uniform and picking fights with the local kids?” A second penned: “Almost certain that this schoolboy sold me my mortgage.”

Shortly after the criticism, Liam explained that the comment about being 44 had stuck with him. Speaking to The Guardian, Liam said: “I was looking in the mirror, thinking ‘surely I can’t be looking 44 – that’s five years younger than my dad!'”

Liam, who works as a personal trainer when he’s not preparing for his latest HYROX challenge, said that some of his clients believed he was around the age of 23.

He added to the outlet: “A few of my friends asked if I was OK. But I’m in the performance and fitness industries, I know you’re going to get critics. As long as the performance is showing you are that character, that’s what’s important to an actor. You’re not looking at the appearance but the emotion.”

Liam also explained that while he played a younger character, times had completely changed since he was around the same age as a Year 12 student. He explained that he tried to modernise himself, including his posture and body language as the current generation of teens “have more suave” when they walk and talk.

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The drama has landed on Netflix and is currently on the streaming giant’s Top 10 chart.

A recent drama featuring one of Downton Abbey‘s most familiar faces has made its way to Netflix, and it’s certainly stirred up mixed feelings.

The suspenseful thriller, Captivated, also known as Too Good To Be True, hails from 2024 and currently holds a middling 5.6/10 rating on IMDb.

The plot centres around Rachel, a single mum and cleaner, who is offered an improved job by a wealthy businessman. However, as she becomes more entangled in his affairs, her suspicions about his intentions grow.

Allen Leech, fondly remembered for his portrayal of Tom Branson in Downton Abbey, stars as Elliott Fielding, while EastEnders legend Kara Tointon takes on the role of Rachel Connor.

Despite its initial airing on Channel 5 last year, the series has gained renewed interest after being added to Netflix UK, where it now ranks third on the streaming behemoth’s Top 10 chart.

While some viewers have clearly enjoyed the show, others have taken to IMDb to caution potential watchers “not to waste their time” on the thriller, reports the Express.

“An utter waste of time,” ane disgruntled viewer lamented, adding: “Just finished this series, of which all 4 episodes can be seen on My5. It gets steadily worse with each episode with a paper thin and entirely predictable plot.”

Another echoed the sentiment, advising: “Don’t waste your time like I did. I kept thinking it would get better. It absolutely does not.”

A third chimed in with their critique, branding it “predictable and unconvincing,” and describing it as “a disappointing crime miniseries”.

Another viewer chimed in: “As usual with this type of drama, this started off OK and went downhill rapidly. It is very predictable and some of it makes no sense at all.”

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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.

Yet not everyone shared such a dim view, with some fans finding merit in the programme, one describing it as “strangely entertaining”.

“I’ve read some scathing reviews about this show, and whilst I don’t think it’s great, I still think it’s watchable,” reasoned another viewer.

A third defended it as “not as bad as ratings suggest”, adding: “This is a little predictable but is easy to watch and does have a storyline.”

Another supporter urged: “Despite the low rating and some negative reviews it’s surprisingly good. So don’t be fooled.”

One enthusiastic fan encouraged patience: “The first episode was good just persevere with it as the series does get better. It’s little predictable but a good watch ! Too Good To Be true is intense and thrilling to watch!!”

Those curious to form their own opinion can stream Captivated on Netflix and Channel 5 in the UK, or BritBox in the US.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

EastEnders has welcomed back Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates’ dementia symptoms worsen, with Pam St Clement reprising her iconic role

EastEnders has unveiled the dramatic comeback of Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates grapples with escalating dementia symptoms.

As regular viewers of the BBC soap will be aware, Nigel (played by Paul Bradley) is dealing with a diagnosis of early-onset dementia, a key aspect of his return to the show for Christmas 2024.

The debilitating condition leads to confusion and memory loss for Nigel, causing him to conceal his diagnosis and struggle with its progression. On Monday (December 22), the residents of Walford began to embrace the festive season as Nigel’s film was screened at the community centre.

However, after overhearing his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and close friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) arguing about how best to manage his deteriorating dementia, he seeks refuge in The Queen Vic.

Nigel begins to mix up past memories with the present. In his confused state, he is visited by familiar faces from Christmases past – Pat (played by Pam St Clement ).

As Nigel’s mind drifts back to 1990, Pat makes a return to The Queen Vic, where she once served as landlady alongside her husband, Frank (Mike Reid), reports OK!.

On Tuesday (December 23), Pat and her former step-son, Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), step in to support her old friend Nigel as his dementia symptoms take a sudden turn for the worse, with both she and Barry attempting to help him. This marks the first sighting of Pat in Walford since her ghostly appearance in 2016.

When did Pat Butcher make her EastEnders

Pat, renowned for her bold statement earrings, made her debut in Walford in 1986 and swiftly won over the hearts of viewers.

In 1989, she married businessman Frank in a traditional East End celebration that drew all the locals, before the pair eventually became landlords of The Queen Vic.

Throughout her time on the Square, Pat captivated audiences with her romantic entanglements, four marriages, local feuds, and countless fiery confrontations with her nemesis-turned-best mate, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).

Yet on New Year’s Day 2012, the spirited leopard print-loving Walford resident passed away in the arms of her son David Wicks (Michael French).

Pat’s heartbreaking demise came after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, that wasn’t the final chapter for the legendary character.

In 2016, Pam returned to reprise her role for a fleeting appearance in Peggy Mitchell’s final and deeply moving episode.

She materialised as a spirit and shared one last heart-to-heart with her dearest friend, Peggy, before her passing.

Expressing her delight about returning to EastEnders, Pam St Clement revealed: “I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline.

“It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home.”

Why did Pam St Clement leave EastEnders?

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Despite captivating EastEnders viewers with her tragic on-screen demise, soap legend Pam never actually wanted her cherished character, Pat, to meet her end. In a 2015 interview with The Mirror, she confessed, “It was very, very difficult. I was saying goodbye to a character I’d inhabited for almost 26 years and, while I had chosen to leave EastEnders, I didn’t want Pat to die”.

She went on to say, “I was adamant there should be a chance for her to return and had been assured by the executive producer she wouldn’t be axed.”

Looking back on her exit, Pam recalled, “When I felt the time had come to hang up the earrings, I took Bryan Kirkwood, the then executive producer, out for dinner and broached the subject of leaving.”

She was firm in her request, stating, “One crucial thing I asked for was that Pat shouldn’t be killed off. Bryan’s response was unequivocal. He assured me that Pat wouldn’t be axed.”

Life after EastEnders for Pam St Clement

In 2015, Pam publicly disclosed for the first time that she had had an affair with a woman. Identifying as bisexual, Pam was previously married to a man named Andrew Gordon in the 1960s, but they later divorced.

In her autobiography The End of The Earring, Pam admitted that coming to terms with her bisexuality was like a “bombshell”. She also revealed having an affair with a woman during a trip to Australia.

Pam added: “That month in Sydney went all too quickly, and we were soon saying our farewells at the airport with promises of reunions back in the UK. I nearly missed the plane, I was so bereft at leaving.”

Eventually, Pam began a romantic relationship with a woman called Diana. However, in her memoir, she confessed that her inclination to “over-care” could occasionally “smother” her partnerships.

Speaking candidly to The Mirror in 2015, Pam revealed she’d had the occasional fling “but nothing ­meaningful”. Then she met Diana, who would become a significant figure in her world.

She explained: “I fell for an attractive woman who was intelligent, witty and fun to be with. Diana and I settled into a happy and stable relationship.

“Looking back, I wonder if I should have stayed on my own. I want to love and be loved, but I am fiercely independent.

“But this was a relationship I couldn’t resist. It was a new experience, exciting and different in every way. We had our own professions but made a home together.”

After her devastating EastEnders departure, Pam made appearances in three Casualty episodes during 2016, though aside from that, she has been relishing a quieter existence away from public attention.

Nevertheless, she did make a return to BBC One in February 2025 to mark EastEnders’ 40th anniversary milestone.

Having spent 13 years absent from Walford, Pam featured alongside Grant Mitchell star Ross Kemp in the documentary EastEnders: 40 Years of the Square.

Throughout the poignant hour-long programme, she spoke openly about her character whilst sharing memories with Ross during their journey on the number 38 bus.

They also took a trip down memory lane, revisiting scenes from a poignant 2016 episode where Pat made a ghostly return to comfort Peggy Mitchell, portrayed by Dame Barbara Windsor, in her final moments.

The duo watched clips featuring their dearly departed co-star, clearly touched by the nostalgic memories. A visibly emotional Pam confessed, “Well, I miss her”, before adding with heartfelt sincerity, “I mean, basically I miss her tremendously”, as she fought back tears.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer

Rita Simons has admitted she would happily sit down with EastEnders bosses to discuss a return even though her soap character was killed off almost a decade ago

Rita Simons has admitted that she would consider a return to EastEnders. The actress, 48, became an instant fan-favourite on the BBC soap when she arrived to play Roxy Mitchell in 2007, turning up alongside Samatha Womack as her on-screen sister Ronnie.

The pair were involved in multiple dramas over their decade-long stay in Albert Square, but it all came to a fatal head on New Year’s Day 2007 when Roxy drunkenly jumped into a swimming pool, and Ronnie jumped in to save her, only to be weighed down by her wedding dress as they both drowned.

Despite being killed off, there have been rumours of a return in one way or another, and Rita initially made a brief reappearance as Roxy in the form of a hallucination in 2023, where she comforted her on-screen daughter Amy. But almost a decade since being axed, Rita, who recently enjoyed a stint in Hollyoaks as Marie Fielding, has admitted she is always asked about a comeback and would happily discuss the idea with soap bosses.

READ MORE: EastEnders icon Rita Simons marries best friend as famous pal gives her awayREAD MORE: EastEnders icon Rita Simons takes drastic action after getting ‘too many’ facial fillers

She said: “It just doesn’t, it doesn’t stop! Someone, I won’t name them, said to me the other day ‘the resilience of your fans is impressive. And it is. Listen, if it was a meeting, we’d be there. But no, I’ve been having lots of very sort of, I’m looking at the gritty dramas, the comedies, the gangster stuff.

“Of course, if EastEnders came knocking, we’d definitely have a conversation.” After leaving EastEnders, Rita starred in a UK tour of the musical Legally Blonde and then competed in the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! jungle.

Speaking to The Sun, she added: “I think that’s kind of another reason I knew it was time to leave Hollyoaks because I knew that I always wanted to do more drama. And I think it’s easier to transcend when you don’t hang around too long,” before noting that she’d “hung around long enough” in the BBC soap that a comeback might be possible.

Rita’s on-screen sibling Samantha has also enjoyed a successful career on screen and stage since leaving EastEnders, and recently admitted during an appearance on Loose Women that she had been through “all sorts” personally amid her time on the soap and was “terrified” at the thought off leaving, but it altered her outlook on life, especially after facing a battle with cancer.

She said: “When you’re in a place for nine years and you’re playing that character every day, and you’re embedded in that family structure, so you believe that the people who are your sisters, brothers, uncles, cousins, whatever, then you believe that they really are because you see them every day.

“You go through all sorts of emotional things together, the birth of your children, funerals, and this is with the crew as well. You get to know such this wonderful group of people for such a long time and then Ronnie drowned in a pool.

“I thought it was shot beautifully. In retrospect, it’s very easy to hold onto safety, isn’t it? Particularly in our game, being self-employed is terrifying. I don’t know if it was a favour [killing me off], but my whole outlook on life has changed.”

“I got diagnosed with breast cancer and survived it for no,w but the beauty of everything that happens to you, the ups, the downs, is the beautiful chaos of it all and what you’d miss if you weren’t here.”

Earlier this year, the former Mount Pleasant star admitted that she started saying no to a lot of opportunities after her treatment, but knew she needed to do something to get back to earning a sustainable income. She told The Mirror: “After my year-and-a-half of treatment, I started turning down a lot of stuff – and I didn’t have the bank balance to match that confidence, trust me.

“It was me saying the word ‘no’ and my bank account creaking. But there was empowerment in that because I thought, ‘OK, I need to go through this, spend time with myself and figure out stuff that I’ve never figured out – maybe stuff I’ve buried under a rug.’”

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