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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
EastEnders Mary ‘The Punk' Smith looks unrecognisable 40 years after joining BBC soap
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE actress behind EastEnders' Mary 'The Punk' Smith has revealed a huge new image transformation. The BBC screen star looks completely unrecognisable from her time on Albert Square in a snap that marks four decades since she stepped foot in Walford. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 The actress behind the EastEnders character Mary 'The Punk' Smith looks completely different after a career change Credit: BBC Press Release 6 Played by Linda Davidson, she was one of the soap's original characters Credit: BBC 6 She has a fresh blonde haircut and has ditched the thick black eyeliner Credit: Rex Features Mary, played by 61-year-old Linda Davidson, was one of 26 EastEnders characters when the soap launched in 1985. Her single mum character first appeared in episodes three, with viewers getting to know her controversial ways over the following three years. Yet her time on the long running series came to a close in 1988. Linda then stunned fans as Mary and fellow EastEnders OG character George 'Lofty' Harrison reunited for an image with Dot Cotton, played by the late June Brown. It teased their comeback for a storyline in 2018 that saw another of the soap's original characters, Dr Harold Legg, get killed off The pair were also seen together in 2015 at celebrations for the 30th anniversary of EastEnders. Yet away from the soap set, Canadian born Linda looks completely different. She has traded in her character's dark, wild locks and backcombed style for a neat blonde pixie cut. Gone are the leather jackets and pale-faced make-up with heavy eyeliner combinations, with smart suits and red lippie her current uniform. Linda gave up acting - after stints on Casualty and an appearance on the Lorraine show - to work in web design and now runs a social media agency. EastEnders' Mary the Punk and Lofty to return to Albert Square in 2019 after 30 years away She often gives keynote speeches in media and has previously addressed the issue of social mobility in a speech at the House of Commons. SOAP STAR A soap source previously told The Sun how well-regarded her character was. They told us: "Lofty and Mary The Punk are two of the most memorable characters of the original set of stars. Speaking of her own time on the soap, Linda previously said: "EastEnders was my first proper family. "It gave me stability and a fantastic foundation from which to build an incredible life." Mary was seen as one of EastEnders' most controversial characters at its launch — a former punk rock groupie and drug user whose wild lifestyle put her baby at risk. Barely able to write, she couldn't look after her child without her neighbours' help and earned her living as a prostitute. She returned to Walford for two separate stints, in 2019 and 2022. Off screen, Linda previously dated co-star Nejdet Salih, who played cafe owner and minicab driver Ali Osman. 6 She has returned for two soap stints since her 1988 exit Credit: BBC Pictures' Digital Picture 6 She was last in Walford back in 2022 for Dot Cotton's funeral Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders Mary ‘The Punk' Smith looks unrecognisable 40 years after joining BBC soap
THE actress behind EastEnders' Mary 'The Punk' Smith has revealed a huge new image transformation. The BBC screen star looks completely unrecognisable from her time on Albert Square in a snap that marks four decades since she stepped foot in Walford. Advertisement 6 The actress behind the EastEnders character Mary 'The Punk' Smith looks completely different after a career change Credit: BBC Press Release 6 Played by Linda Davidson, she was one of the soap's original characters Credit: BBC 6 She has a fresh blonde haircut and has ditched the thick black eyeliner Credit: Rex Features Her single mum character first appeared in episodes three, with viewers getting to know her controversial ways over the following three years. Yet her time on the long running series came to a close in 1988. Linda then stunned fans as Mary and fellow EastEnders OG character George 'Lofty' Harrison Advertisement READ MORE EASTENDERS It teased their comeback that saw another of the soap's original characters, Dr Harold Legg, get killed off The pair were also seen together in 2015 at celebrations for the 30th anniversary of EastEnders. Yet away from the soap set, Canadian born Linda looks completely different. She has traded in her character's dark, wild locks and backcombed style for a neat blonde pixie cut. Advertisement Most read in Soaps Exclusive Gone are the leather jackets and pale-faced make-up with heavy eyeliner combinations, with smart suits and red lippie her current uniform. Linda gave up acting - after stints on Casualty and an appearance on the Lorraine show - to work in web design and now runs a social media agency. EastEnders' Mary the Punk and Lofty to return to Albert Square in 2019 after 30 years away She often gives keynote speeches in media and has previously addressed the issue of social mobility in a speech at the House of Commons. SOAP STAR A soap source previously told The Sun how well-regarded her character was. Advertisement They told us: "Lofty and Mary The Punk are two of the most memorable characters of the original set of stars. EastEnders facts and figures THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades. EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Here's the latest on: EastEnders spoilers Where is Inside EastEnders The history of The biggest ever Shocking Albert Square The soap's Speaking of her own time on the soap, Linda previously said: "EastEnders was my first proper family. "It gave me stability and a fantastic foundation from which to build an incredible life." Mary was seen as one of EastEnders' most controversial characters at its launch — a former punk rock groupie and drug user whose wild lifestyle put her baby at risk. Advertisement Barely able to write, she couldn't look after her child without her neighbours' help and earned her living as a prostitute. She returned to Walford for two separate stints, in 2019 and 2022. Off screen, Linda previously dated co-star Nejdet Salih, who played cafe owner and minicab driver Ali Osman. 6 She has returned for two soap stints since her 1988 exit Credit: BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Advertisement 6 She was last in Walford back in 2022 for Dot Cotton's funeral Credit: PA 6 She has switched her brunette looks for a daring blonde pixie cut Credit: Rex Features
Metro
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders' Linda Carter makes life-changing decision after 11 years
EastEnders' Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) makes the life-changing decision to call time on her 11 years as landlady of The Queen Vic next week, but there's one obstacle standing in the way of her plan – her mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe). Linda has been co-owner of the Walford boozer since she and then-husband Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) debuted on the BBC soap at the end of 2013. She currently owns The Vic with Elaine, who came on board in 2023, buying Mick's share from his new wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) following his presumed drowning. Recently, recovering alcoholic Linda has been struggling to run the pub single-handedly, as Elaine has been behaving erratically since her split from husband George Knight (Colin Salmon) earlier this month. With rumours currently swirling that previous landlady Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) is poised to take the reins of the Vic once more, there are tense scenes next week when Linda tells her mum she wants to sell her half of the pub. Reeling from the bombshell, Elaine tries to convince Linda to rethink her decision, but a furious argument breaks out. After Linda retreats to the café, she bumps into George, who encourages her to see the situation from her mum's point of view. But when Elaine spies their conversation, she becomes convinced they are plotting behind her back. Trying to take charge of the situation, Elaine meets with a bank manager, but it doesn't go to plan, and so later puts a proposal to her grandson Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) to become a silent partner, but he refuses. Feeling deflated and emotional, Elaine loses it in The Vic and orders all the punters out, before getting into another blazing row with Linda – but the stress of recent events becomes too much, and she suddenly collapses. Elaine later tries to play her collapse off as a panic attack, but it's clear something more is at play. Felling guilty, Linda reasons she should keep her share of The Vic for Elaine's sake, but Johnny is adamant she should sell – but as they return to the bar, Elaine has collapsed again. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Is Elaine OK, or could this be part of a plan to stop Linda selling her share? More Trending Of course, this is not the first time Linda has sold the boozer – back in 2020, Sharon Watts (Letita Dean) bought it from her and Mick, as he sought to get his beloved L away from the temptation of alcohol. However, following Linda's subsequent affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood), she convinced Sharon to sell the pub back to her and Mick, realising it was what they needed to get their marriage back on track. Will this be last orders for Carter/Knight era of The Vic? View More » EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 30 June at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. MORE: Fears for Queen Vic legend in EastEnders as the police investigate MORE: All 53 EastEnders pictures for next week as Bernie frames a Walford favourite for shocking crime MORE: EastEnders exit story in early BBC streaming release as legend decides it's time to move on
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders' Mary the Punk star unrecognisable 37 years since quitting soap
Mary 'the Punk' Smith was a big part of the original EastEnders line-up when it first aired in 1985, with viewers fondly remembering the character who left just three years later EastEnders legend Mary 'the Punk' was part of the original cast of 23 who first arrived on our TV screens back in 1985. Other now-familiar faces first setting foot in Albert Square back then included Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), Ali Osman (Nejdet Adamson/Salih) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Mary was a young, single mother who ended up in all manner of scrapes, largely due to her irresponsible nature and lack of willingness to heed good advice. She was unable to read or write and hid herself under punk make-up – a northern girl all alone in a southern city. For Canadian-British actress Linda Davidson, a role in the brand-new BBC One soap was the big acting break she needed, having just finished learning her craft at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy in London. During her time on the soap she became romantically involved with co-star Nejdet Salih, who played Ali Osman and ran the café and his own taxi firm. Meanwhile, Mary's three years in Albert Square, saw herself in a number of difficult situations, with storylines focusing on unemployment and drugs, as well as one where she dabbled with prostitution – that drew controversy for linking it with single mums. However, Linda quit the soap for pastures new in 1988 when she was offered a part in a play. She went on to appear in TV shows including First of the Summer Wine, Casualty, The House of Eliott and The Bill, and also starred in a revival of The Rocky Horror Show in London's West End. After that, she secured a role looking after the BBC's drama websites and became editor of E4 interactive in the 2000s. Viewers assumed they'd seen the last of Mary in EastEnders, never to return. But Linda has reprised the role twice since 1988, firstly in 2019 for the funeral of the soap's beloved character, Dr Harold Legg, alongside actor Tom Watt who played Lofty Holloway, leaving fans 'in awe'. Reflecting on her EastEnders homecoming at the time, Linda said: "EastEnders was my first proper family. It gave me stability and a fantastic foundation from which to build an incredible life. "The people of EastEnders have been a consistent thread throughout the intervening years. I am so thrilled, and very proud to be returning to that family 35 years later. It's going to be a blast!" She returned again in 2022 for the funeral of Dot Branning after the actress who played her, June Brown, sadly died aged 95.
Metro
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Fears for Queen Vic legend in EastEnders as the police investigate
Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe) has to face the consequences of her actions in EastEnders next week. Tensions hit boiling point in The Queen Vic following Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) jaw-dropping revelation that she wants to sell the boozer. Elaine continues to be stunned by the revelation, but things go from bad to worse when the police come knocking over last week's incident, turning up the heat on an already fraught situation. As viewers of the BBC One soap will remember, Elaine – who was in self-destruct mode following her separation from husband George (Colin Salmon) served two of the local teens alcohol. They then proceeded to steal two large pitchers full of the punch, which were downed by the younger children. Will Elaine and Linda get off the hook? Desperate to change her daughter's mind, Elaine begs Linda to reconsider, but the mother-daughter heart-to-heart quickly spirals into a blazing row. Fed up and emotional, Linda storms out and finds herself confiding in George. But when Elaine catches sight of them both she jumps to the worst possible conclusion – the pair are trying to plot against her. Later, a disheartened Elaine is dealt another blow when a crucial meeting with the bank to secure a loan to buy Linda out falls flat. Clinging to any lifeline she can find, she pleads with grandson Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) to step in as a silent partner – but he shuts her down, leaving her feeling more alone than ever. With emotions running high, Elaine finally snaps when she throws the punters out of The Vic in a rage before unleashing her fury on Linda in a brutal showdown. But the stress proves too much, and she suddenly collapses, sending shockwaves through the pub as Linda and Johnny rush to her side. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Later in the week, a shaken Linda and Johnny rally around Elaine, who insists it was nothing more than a panic attack. More Trending But Linda is wracked with guilt and opens up to Johnny about staying in the pub for her mum's sake. Johnny, however, doesn't hold back and tells his mum he still thinks she should walk away. But just as they head back into the bar, disaster strikes again – as Elaine collapses for a second time… View More » Will she be ok? 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: All 53 EastEnders pictures for next week as Bernie frames a Walford favourite for shocking crime MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as Alfie twist is confirmed MORE: Huge EastEnders horror in early BBC release as the police are summoned
