Latest news with #LindaHenry
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mr Bigstuff season 2 cast as Danny Dyer welcomes fellow EastEnders stars
The second season of Mr Bigstuff is now airing on Sky and NOW and the new episodes see Danny Dyer's Lee Campbell and Ryan Sampson's Glen on the hunt for their dad Mr Bigstuff's second series broadcasts on Sky and NOW, with the latest instalment resuming mere weeks following the shocking revelation that the siblings' father remains alive. Lee Campbell (portrayed by Danny Dyer) and his sibling Glen (Ryan Sampson) have responded to the startling disclosure in contrasting ways, yet manage to come together as they endeavour to locate their dad. Another beloved character making a comeback for the sophomore season is Kirsty (Harriet Webb), who finds herself "taking charge in the bedroom and the boardroom". This season will see a huge EastEnders reunion as Linda Henry, known for playing Shirley Carter, stars in a guest role. Additional returning cast members feature Adrian Scarborough as Ian, Fatiha El-Ghorri as Aysha, Victoria Alcock as Sue, Ned Dennehy as Bunny and Clive Russell as Uncle Ron. Here's everything you need to discover about the fresh guest performers for series two, which Sampson both created and penned. Rita - Rula Lenska Rula Lenska is a 77 year old English performer recognised for her cinema appearances in Queen Kong and Aura. On television, she's remembered for portraying Claudia Colby in the ITV soap Coronation Street. Pam - Linda Henry Linda Henry reconnected with her EastEnders colleague Dyer for this venture, with the duo having shared numerous intense sequences on the soap throughout the years as Mick and Shirley Carter. Most memorably a plot thread that exposed Mick and Shirley were not brother and sister as initially believed, but that he was actually her offspring. Henry is a 65 year old English performer who also featured as Yvonne Atkins in the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls. Angry clown - Shaun Williamson Williamson, a former EastEnders star, is best known for his role as Barry Evans, which became a defining part of his career. He later appeared in the BBC /HBO sitcom Extras, playing a satirical version of himself. Post his departure from the soap, he featured in Sexy Murder, Life's Too Short and Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz. The second series of Mr Bigstuff is currently airing on Sky and NOW.
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
EastEnders star Linda Henry 'secretly' quit the show in 2022
It's believed that a low-key exit is what made it possible for Linda Henry to leave the show in secret. The actress played Shirley Carter for 16 years but is no longer part of the show, after leaving in 2022. Following the disappearance of her son Mick, Shirley, along with her dog Lady Di, left Albert Square behind, reports The Sun. EastEnders' top 5 villains In 2023, the newspaper says the then-show boss, Chris Clenshaw, said Linda's exit was simply just a break from the show rather than a permanent arrangement. He explained: 'So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show. 'But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick's disappearance, it won't have been the last you see of her. 'I can say that for sure.' Linda Henry believed to have 'secretly' quit EastEnders Now, though, The Sun reveals that Shirley Carter will not return to the soap. A source reportedly told the newspaper: 'Linda quit EastEnders in 2022. 'The door was left open for a return for Shirley in the future because she was such a fan favourite but it was a final exit. SOMEBODY GIVE LINDA HENRY AKA SHIRLEY CARTER ALL THE AWARDS! AMAZING ACTOR! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾💯🏆@bbceastenders #EastEnders — Discreet (@discreet_artist) March 8, 2022 'Linda is very private and not one of the actors who wants to be a celebrity and didn't want a big fuss so a low-key exit made sense at the time.' Linda is set to appear alongside her EastEnders son Danny Dyer in Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff. She will play a mechanic named Pam as she returns to TV after three years away. Recommended reading: Creator of the show, Ryan Sampson, told Radio Times: 'We've got Linda Henry, who was Shirley – Danny's mum – in EastEnders, which is a lovely little Easter egg for the EastEnders crowd. 'That I'm really excited about. She is amazing.' The news of Linda's departure from EastEnders comes as fans of the show shared on Reddit that they hoped she would return to the soap. This person asked: 'Is Shirley ever coming back? I miss this lady'. One fan described her as 'one of the best characters of all time.' Newsquest contacted EastEnders for comment, but the BBC refused to comment.
Metro
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hopes dashed as EastEnders legend 'on break' has 'no plans to return'
It'll come as no surprise to EastEnders fans that the legendary Linda Henry isn't returning to the BBC soap. The actress, 65, played Shirley Carter in the BBC One soap from 2006, exiting the role in 2022 following the presumed death of son Mick (Danny Dyer). She's been at the top of everyone's wish list for a return – with several opportunities for her to do so – to no avail. This is despite then-Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw exclusively telling Metro that Shirl's departure was merely for an extended break. 10 months after her initial exit, he said: 'Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show but I think it's safe to say it's not the last we've seen of her. 'When she walked out of Walford last year with Lady Di, that won't be the last you'll see.' Of course, as time goes on, it seemed incredible unlikely. Linda has even signed up for a guest role in the second series of Sky's Mr Bigstuff. The comedy show, which first aired last year, follows two polar-opposite brothers that have been estranged for a number of years. Danny plays one of the leads, meaning that the one-time mother and son will be reunited, albeit in a different capacity. Following a bombshell that their father isn't dead, the new instalments will see the pair navigate the news in their own, very different ways, while Glen's wife Kirsty (Harriet Webb) is blackmailed after sharing a kiss with someone other than her husband. Linda will play Pam, a 'no-nonsense, hands-on mechanic' at the family haulage firm. Now, ahead of her big screen return, The Sun is reporting that her Albert Square exit almost three years ago was always intended to be permanent. More Trending A source told the publication: 'Linda quit EastEnders in 2022.' 'The door was left open for a return for Shirley in the future because she was such a fan favourite but it was a final exit. 'Linda is very private and not one of the actors who wants to be a celebrity and didn't want a big fuss so a lowkey exit made sense at the time.' View More » Metro has reached out to EastEnders for comment. 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: EastEnders star Max Murray has very different side-hustle – and it's worlds away from Joel MORE: Coronation Street actor 'splits from TV star boyfriend' MORE: Ex-Coronation Street star details 'nightmare' after fire destroys her business
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders legend secretly quit the show three years ago – and has no plans to return
AN EastEnders legend has secretly quit the show - three years after their dramatic exit. The BBC soap aired a lowkey exit for the fan favourite and kept quiet about her bowing out. 2 Linda played the iconic Shirley Carter for 16 years in EastEnders Credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes 2 She will soon reunite with her on-screen son Danny Dyer in his Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff Credit: ©Sky UK Actress Linda Henry played Viewers watched as Shirley, broken from the disappearance at sea of her son Mick, took Lady Di and Back in 2023 then show boss Chris Clenshaw insisted Linda was just taking a break from the show. He said: "So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show. Read more on EastEnders "But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick's disappearance, it won't have been the last you see of her. 'I can say that for sure." However two years later, and three years after Linda's final scenes - The Sun can confirm that there are no plans for her return. A source said: 'Linda quit EastEnders in 2022. Most read in Soaps 'The door was left open for a return for Shirley in the future because she was such a fan favourite but it was a final exit. 'Linda is very private and not one of the actors who wants to be a celebrity and didn't want a big fuss so a lowkey exit made sense at the time.' EastEnders' Shirley Carter violently attacks paedo Katy Lewis after discovering horrifying truth Now Linda is making her return to acting - and it's alongside her EastEnders son Danny Dyer. She will play mechanic Pam in his Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff, marking her first television appearance in three years. Show creator Ryan Sampson teased the pair's reunion, telling Radio Times: "We've got Linda Henry, who was Shirley – Danny's mum – in EastEnders, which is a lovely little Easter egg for the EastEnders crowd. 'That I'm really excited about. She is amazing."
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders legend secretly quit the show three years ago – and has no plans to return
AN EastEnders legend has secretly quit the show - three years after their dramatic exit. The BBC soap aired a lowkey exit for the fan favourite and kept quiet about her bowing out. 2 Actress Linda Henry played Shirley Carter for 16 years before quitting in 2022. Viewers watched as Shirley, broken from the disappearance at sea of her son Mick, took Lady Di and left the pub and the Square behind. Back in 2023 then show boss Chris Clenshaw insisted Linda was just taking a break from the show. He said: "So, Linda Henry is currently taking a break from the show. "But you know, when she walked off with Lady Di last year, in the wake of Mick's disappearance, it won't have been the last you see of her. 'I can say that for sure." However two years later, and three years after Linda's final scenes - The Sun can confirm that there are no plans for her return. A source said: 'Linda quit EastEnders in 2022. 'The door was left open for a return for Shirley in the future because she was such a fan favourite but it was a final exit. 'Linda is very private and not one of the actors who wants to be a celebrity and didn't want a big fuss so a lowkey exit made sense at the time.' Now Linda is making her return to acting - and it's alongside her EastEnders son Danny Dyer. She will play mechanic Pam in his Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff, marking her first television appearance in three years. Show creator Ryan Sampson teased the pair's reunion, telling Radio Times: "We've got Linda Henry, who was Shirley – Danny's mum – in EastEnders, which is a lovely little Easter egg for the EastEnders crowd. 'That I'm really excited about. She is amazing."
