Latest news with #LindaCarter
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders legend quits Albert Square TONIGHT in heart-wrenching scenes - leaving best friend crushed
An EastEnders legend quits Albert Square during Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap. This evening's instalment (15 July) - which is available to watch on iPlayer now - will see Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes. Right at the end of the instalment the pair are stood outside next to a taxi ahead of their journey home. Julie tells Nigel: 'I think we should just go. 'Sometimes it's easier on everyone to just slip out. I think Phil might prefer it that way.' As he tries to walk away, she says: 'You've got me!' This evening's instalment (15 July) will see Nigel and his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) wave goodbye to Walford in heart-wrenching scenes (pictured) Nigel steps into the car and Julie tells him: 'Just focus on me.' Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) is seen watching them from afar and smiles at the pair. Julie gives her eye contact and steps into the taxi. As Nigel looks out of the window of the vehicle, Linda smiles back at him. 'Let's get going, we don't want to miss that train, do we?' Linda tells Nigel as she puts her seat belt on. The taxi drives away from the Square and Phil is captured sitting in his kitchen looking at an old picture of Nigel. Some have taken to X to share their heartbreak already. One said: 'I am so sad Nigel is gone. Loved the storyline and now poor Phil is alone again, hope they bring him back soon.' 'Oh no Nigel! I didn't think he was really leaving. I had hoped Julie would decide to move in to help Phil with him.' 'Goodbye, Nigel.' 'phil and linda in todays ep… i'm grateful they didn't kill nigel off the show he's been such a pleasure to watch these past few weeks.' Just last month Karen's return to the BBC soap was confirmed. The actress, 62, previously played Julie Bates on the show between 1997 and 1998. Her alter-ego was last seen in Walford 27 years ago when she moved to Scotland with her husband Nigel. But as viewers will know, Nigel returned to the Square in 2024, and told everyone that they had split... but it was actually he wanted to deal with his dementia by himself. The cafe worker felt as if he was weighing his wife down. However she returned to the Square to tell him that she's sticking around. Karen said of reprising her role: 'It's very surreal to be back in Albert Square after 27 years and working with the delightful Paul Bradley again - it's scary how fast the time has gone! 'Julie has got some awful surprises ahead of her after the initial relief she feels to discover Nigel is still alive. 'It's been great to film with Paul and Steve (McFadden), who are such lovely actors, as Julie discovers Nigel's dementia diagnosis and why he chose to hide it from her.' Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'We are delighted to have Karen Henthorn returning to reprise her role as Julie, who arrives looking for Nigel. 'Julie hasn't seen Nigel in almost two years and is unaware of his diagnosis and reasons for leaving, so her arrival will pose questions for the pair of them.' EastEnders isn't the only role that Karen has held on a soap over the years - she also played Teresa Bryant on Coronation Street between 2007 and 2009. She's also been in Doctors, Heartbeat and Trollied. The star also played the school inspector in Young Dracula. More recently she took on the role of Emily in The Listeners. The actress currently teaches students at the Italia Conti Academy. Meanwhile Paul appeared on EastEnders between 1992 and 1998, followed by another stint in 2024. He has also landed roles in various other TV shows such as Holby City, My Family, Doctors, The Bill and Beyond Paradise. Announcing the news that he would be back on the Square, Paul said: He said: 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street. 'Returning has been great as I'm so familiar with many of the faces at EastEnders, and they are a very friendly bunch. 'It's fantastic to work with Steve McFadden again - I'm a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high. I'm having a really good time.' EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I'm coming home': EastEnders star Jake Wood to return to soap as Max Branning
Actor Jake Wood is heading back to EastEnders as Max Branning, describing his return as 'coming home'. The 52-year-old left the BBC soap in 2021 when his character's affair with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) ended, after she revealed her true feelings for her husband Mick (Danny Dyer). Max's return to the soap comes after it was announced that his son Oscar would also return to the soap, played by Pierre Moullier, after eight years away, having previously been portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Wood said: 'I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I'm sure he'll be busy. 'I'm excited to see what he's been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the square are anything to go by, I'm sure there will be plenty of chaos.' One of Max's best-known storylines in the soap saw his long-running affair with daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) revealed on Christmas Day in 2007, while he was dressed as Father Christmas. Max will return to Albert Square to find his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) expected to marry into the Beales, Stacey widowed, and a secret daughter with ex-lover Linda yet to be discovered. Speaking on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Wood said his return to the show was 'quite emotional' and added it felt 'like a very warm hug'. He said: 'I just felt like it was the right time. 'I spoke to so many people there, they're just loving being there at the moment, I had a meeting with the new executive, Ben Wadey, back in January, and we went for lunch, and he just sort of outlined all of his ideas.' He continued: 'There's just so many characters that Max has got drama with, so it felt like the right time to go back and mix things up a bit.' Wood went on to say his character's return would be 'high, high, high drama' and added that it would not be 'friendly and warm'. EastEnders executive producer Wadey said: 'I'm delighted to welcome the immensely talented Jake Wood back to the role of Max Branning. 'Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely. 'Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen. 'However, with a past as chequered as Max's, it's fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the square, and the drama, this year.' Wood's character first arrived in Walford in June 2006, bringing his then wife Tanya and their daughters Lauren and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) with him. Max will return briefly in autumn, before making a permanent return later in the year.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Max Branning to make shock EastEnders return as actor Jake Wood confirms comeback
Actor Jake Wood is set to make a stunning return EastEnders as Max Branning later this year. Wood, 52, left the BBC soap in 2021 when his character's affair with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) ended, after she revealed her true feelings for her husband Mick (Danny Dyer). Max's return to the soap comes after it was announced that his son Oscar would also return to the soap, played by Pierre Moullier, after eight years away, having previously been portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Wood said: 'I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I'm sure he'll be busy. 'I'm excited to see what he's been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the square are anything to go by, I'm sure there will be plenty of chaos.' One of Max's best-known storylines in the soap saw his long-running affair with daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) revealed on Christmas Day in 2007, while he was dressed as Father Christmas. Max will return to Albert Square to find his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) expected to marry into the Beales, Stacey widowed, and a secret daughter with ex-lover Linda yet to be discovered. Speaking on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, Wood said his return to the show was 'quite emotional' and added it felt 'like a very warm hug'. He said: 'I just felt like it was the right time. 'I spoke to so many people there, they're just loving being there at the moment, I had a meeting with the new executive, Ben Wadey, back in January, and we went for lunch, and he just sort of outlined all of his ideas.' He continued: 'There's just so many characters that Max has got drama with, so it felt like the right time to go back and mix things up a bit.' Wood went on to say his character's return would be 'high, high, high drama' and added that it would not be 'friendly and warm'. EastEnders executive producer Wadey said: 'I'm delighted to welcome the immensely talented Jake Wood back to the role of Max Branning. 'Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely. 'Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen. 'However, with a past as chequered as Max's, it's fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the square, and the drama, this year.' Wood's character first arrived in Walford in June 2006, bringing his then wife Tanya and their daughters Lauren and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) with him. Max will return briefly in autumn, before making a permanent return later in the year.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gutted EastEnders fans convinced huge character is leaving after family makes big decision about their future
EASTENDERS fans are speculating about the fate of Linda Carter following the news she and her mother Elaine Peacock are selling the Queen Vic. Some EastEndenders fans believe the decision could leave Linda at a loose end and signal her exit. 4 4 The uncertainty has sparked a flurry of discussion on social media, as one suggested on Reddit: 'So we know Linda and Elaine are selling The Vic. 'Are they leaving the show or will they remain on the Square? 'And if they're remaining, where are they going to be living and what will they do? 'Elaine can retire, but Linda doesn't really have any skills beyond landlady. 'I really hope Kellie Bright doesn't leave as I think she's one of the better actors the show has.' Another viewer echoed the concern, saying: 'They should both leave; hard as it may be to admit; Linda and Mick were a package and she's rubbish without him just as he'd be crap without her. 'I've had enough of her wearing pink and getting drunk; I mean it's been 12 years and what else does she do apart from that?! She needs to leave and so does Elaine! Nothing here for either of them.' However, others said they were jumping to conclusions. 'Nothing's been said about them leaving, not even rumours,' one fan replied. 'Speaking of, Max is supposedly coming back — they wouldn't get rid of Linda and, in turn, the drama of Max finding out about Annie.' Linda Carter sinks to all-time low in gross EastEnders scene - as alcoholism spirals Linda's had plenty of storylines beyond the pub — alcoholism, losing Mick, and the affair with Max. Kellie has portrayed Linda since 2013, and quickly became one of the most recognisable faces on EastEnders. Arriving with her actor Danny Dyer playing her on-screen husband Mick, Kellie's stories involved sexual assault, alcoholism, and the death of Mick in 2022. Her mum Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) joined the soap in 2023. She resolved to get her daughter back on the straight and narrow and off the booze. The pair are now selling The Queen Vic - with EastEnders accidentally leaked the spoiler earlier this year. The Sun later revealed Albert Square's next landlady at the Queen Vic pub is Kat Moon. The leopard print-loving loudmouth takes over the EastEnders boozer after owners Linda Carter and her mum Elaine Peacock were forced to put it up for sale 4 4
North Wales Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
The actors behind Elaine Peacock role on BBC EastEnders
After confronting her daughter, Linda Carter, about her decision to potentially leave the pub trade, the pair clash, leading Elaine to suffer two stress-induced collapses. With an uncertain future awaiting the well-known character, you may be interested in learning more about the actresses behind the role. A post shared by Harriet Thorpe (@hatdorable) Two actresses have played the role of Elaine Knight (or Peacock) over the years, according to the EastEnders Fan Wiki. She was first introduced to EastEnders in 2014 and was originally portrayed by Maria Friedman from 2014 until 2017. The BBC role was then taken over by Harriet Thorpe in 2023, a part the actress still has to this day. The character was introduced as the mother of Linda Carter and the grandmother of Lee, Nancy, Johnny, Ollie and Annie Carter. She is also the widow of John Peacock as well as the estranged wife of George Knight, a character with whom she has a strained relationship. EastEnders icon rushed to hospital after collapsing twice on the BBC show Actress Harriet Thorpe was born on June 8, 1957. She attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama before finding success in television, according to IMDb. In 1991, she played the role of the depressed and emotionally unfit mother from Britta's Empire and Fleur in the cult classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. However, she is best known for playing the role of Elaine on EastEnders these days. EastEnders is available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
