Portal:EastEnders/EastEnders news/Archive

May 2011

• 27 May 2011 Dot Branning's (June Brown) half sister Rose will appear in the series during the summer, played by Polly Perkins.[1]
• 23 May 2011 EastEnders has won Best Continuing Drama at the 2011 British Academy Television Awards.[2]
• 18 May 2011 EastEnders has received thirteen nominations at the TV Choice Awards 2011, including Best Soap, three for Best Actor, three for Best Actress, three for Best Newcomer and three for Best Storyline.[3]
• 15 May 2011 EastEnders has won the Best British Soap award at the British Soap Awards, as well as Best Actress for Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon), and Best On-screen Partnership for Wallace and Shane Richie (Kat and Alfie Moon).[4]
• 10 May 2011 Bunmi Mojekwu's character, Mercy Olubunmi, is to leave the series in July 2011, it has been announced.[5]
• 10 May 2011 Two new characters have been announced—Anthony Moon played by Matt Lapinskas and Tyler Moon played by Tony Discipline are to be introduced along with Eddie Moon (David Essex), as members of Michael Moon's (Steve John Shepherd) family.[6]
• 3 May 2011 The 2011 British Soap Awards panel nominations have been announced, revealing a further nine nominations for EastEnders, including Best Storyline for the baby swap, Best Dramatic Performance for Lindsey Coulson (Carol Jackson) and Best Necomer for Ricky Norwood (Fatboy).[7]
• 1 May 2011 Rob Grayson, played by Jody Latham, will return to the series to conclude the sexual exploitation storyline involving Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).[8]

April 2011

• 30 April 2011 The characters of Vanessa Gold, played by Zoe Lucker, and Darren Miller, played by Charlie G. Hawkins are to be written out of the series later in 2011.[9]
• 28 April 2011 Shenice Quinn, played by youngser Lily Harvey, is to make a return to the programme.[10]
• 26 April 2011 EastEnders has been nominated in the 'Best Continuing Drama' category at the 2011 British Academy Television Awards.[11]

September 2010

• 27 September 2010 EastEnders has won six Inside Soap Awards, including Best Actress for Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater), Best Newcomer for Ricky Norwood (Fatboy) and Best Soap.[12]
• 27 September 2010 A third series of the spin-off series EastEnders: E20 has been announced.[13]
• 23 September 2010 Actress Cathy Murphy is to join the show playing Julie Perkins, a character from Billy Mitchell's (Perry Fenwick) past. This is Murphy's third role in the soap.[14]
• 11 September 2010 Four EastEnders actors are appearing in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. They are Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning, Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann), Jimi Mistry (Fred Fonseca) and Goldie (Angel Hudson).[15]

August 2010

• 11 August 2010 Over 200 viewers complained about scenes showing characters Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) using the drug crack cocaine.[16]
• 9 August 2010 Perry Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell in the show, has filmed his 1000th episode.[17]
• 6 August 2010 The role of Lauren Branning, played by Madeline Duggan from 2006 to 2010, has been recast to newcomer Jacqueline Jossa.[18]

July 2010

• 27 July 2010 Actor Steve John Shepherd is to join the cast of EastEnders is 2010 as the character Michael Moon, the cousin of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).[19]

June 2010

• 7 June 2010 EastEnders has won a British Academy Television Award for Best Continuing Drama Series, beating The Bill, Casualty and Coronation Street[20]
• 6 June 2010 Actress Danniella Westbrook is to reprise her role as Sam Mitchell in August 2010.[21]

May 2010

• 30 May 2010 Actress Melissa Suffield, who has played Lucy Beale for six years, has been axed from the show for alleged unruly behaviour.[22]
• 11 May 2010 Newcomer Kylie Babbington is to join the show playing Jodie Gold, the daughter of Vanessa Gold, played by Zoe Lucker. Tameka Empson is also to return as Kim Fox.[23][24]
• 10 May 2010 The characters Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan) and Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones) are to be written out of the show in 2010. Duggan has already filmed her exit scenes.[25]

April 2010

• 29 April 2010 Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, and Gillian Wright, who plays Jean Slater, are both to depart the series later in 2010.[26]
• 18 April 2010 Lucy Benjamin, who played Lisa Fowler in the soap between 1998 and 2003, is to return to the show for a single episode in 2010.[27]
• 17 April 2010 Six characters have been axed from the show and will leave in 2010. They are Charlie Slater (Derek Martin), Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi), Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu), Liz Turner (Kate Williams), Adam Best (David Proud) and Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin).[28]
• 7 April 2010 A second series of EastEnders: E20 has been commissioned and will air in September 2010.[29]
• 2 April 2010 Tiana Benjamin, who plays Chelsea Fox, has announced her decision to leave the show later in 2010.[30]

March 2010

• 22 March 2010 Zoe Lucker is to join the cast of the show, playing Vanessa, a love interest for Max Branning (Jake Wood).[31]
• 3 March 2010 Cheryl Fergison, who plays Heather Trott in the show, is to compete in Let's Dance for Sport Relief on 6 March 2010.[32]
• 1 March 2010 Veteran actor Martin Jarvis is to join the show in April 2010 playing freelance journalist Harvey Freeman, a potential love interest for Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement).[33]
• 1 March 2010 EastEnders has received 16 nominations at the 2010 British Soap Awards, including three nominations for Best Actor, three for Best Actress and Best Soap.[34]

February 2010

• 16 February 2010 EastEnders has been nominated for ten awards at the 2010 All About Soap Bubble Awards.[35]
• 7 February 2010 Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace are to reprise their roles of Alfie Moon and Kat Moon later in 2010. They were last seen in 2005.[36]

January 2010

• 24 January 2010 Preeya Kalidas, who plays Amira Shah, has quite the show to concentrate on a career in music.[37]
• 5 January 2010 EastEnders has been shortlisted for three National Television Awards: Most Popular Serial Drama, Outstanding Serial Drama Performance for Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) and Most Popular Newcomer for Neil McDermott (Ryan Malloy).[38]

December 2009

• 26 December 2009 A new member of the Mitchell family is to join the show in 2010. Danny Mitchell, played by Liam Bergin, is the son of Archie and Glenda Mitchell. Neither Archie nor his daughters Ronnie and Roxy know that Danny exists.[39]
• 21 December 2009 Two former EastEnders stars are appearing in the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice. They are Danniella Westbrook, who played Sam Mitchell, and Bobby Davro, who portrayed Vinnie Monks.[40]
• 1 December 2009 EastEnders has won the Radar (Royal Association for Disability Rights) 'Doing Media Differently' award.[41]

November 2009

• 26 November 2009 Adam Croasdell, who plays Al Jenkins in the show, is to leave in 2010.[42]
• 20 November 2009 The character of Billie Jackson, who is to return in February 2010 along with other members of the Jackson family, has been cast to Devon Anderson who originally played the character as a child.[43]
• 16 November 2009 Actor Edward Woodward, who appeared as Tommy Clifford in the show, has died at the age of 79.[44]
• 16 November 2009 Two EastEnders actors have decided to quit the show. They are Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning) and Josie Lawrence (Manda Best).[45][46]
• 12 November 2009 A new EastEnders DVD, EastEnders: Last Tango In Walford, will be released on 8 February 2010 as part of the show's 25th anniversary celebrations. It will focus on the characters Tiffany Dean (Maisie Smith) and Liam Butcher (James Forde).[47]
• 12 November 2009 Former EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin (Lisa Fowler) is to appear in the upcoming 2009 series of I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here!.[48]
• 5 November 2009 EastEnders has won three awards at Birmingham's Black International Film Festival and Music Video & Screen Awards. The show won Best UK Drama with a Black or Ethnic Cast, Tiana Benjamin (Chelsea Fox) won Best UK Actress and Rudolph Walker (Patrick Trueman) received the Lifetime Achievement Award.[49]
• 2 November 2009 Executive producer Diederick Santer is to step down following the show's 25th anniversary on 19 February 2010. He will be replaced by Bryan Kirkwood.[50]

October 2009

• 28 October 2009 Actress Barbara Windsor has quit her role as Peggy Mitchell after 15 years in order to spend more time with her husband. She will leave in 2010.[51]
• 25 October 2009 The characters of Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney), Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and Billy Jackson (to be cast) are all to return to the show in 2010.[52]
• 23 October 2009 The part of Glenda Mitchell has been recast to Glynis Barber following Jill Gascoine's withdrawal during her first day on set.[53]
• 23 October 2009 Rudolph Walker, who plays Patrick Trueman, is to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at Birmingham's Black International Film Festival and Music Video & Screen Awards. Tiana Benjamin (Chelsea Fox) is nominated for Best UK Actress. EastEnders is nominated for Best UK Drama with a Black Cast.[54]
• 22 October 2009 A new spin-off show, EastEnders: E20, will start in January 2010 as part of the series' 25th anniverary celebrations. It will revolve around a group of sixth form students and will be broadcast via the EastEnders website.[55]
• 17 October 2009 Two new characters are to join the show. Qadim Shah will be played by Ramon Tikaram. He is the father of Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas). Jill Gascoine will play Glenda Mitchell, the estranged mother of Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy (Rita Simons) and ex-wife of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb). Tikaram will appear in 2009 while Gascoine will make her debut in January 2010.[56][57]

September 2009

• 28 September 2009 EastEnders has won seven awards at the 2009 Inside Soap Awards, including Best Soap, Best Storyline and Best Actress for Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) who has won the award four years in a row.[58]
• 17 September 2009 Two new characters are to appear for the wedding of Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) and Denise Wicks (Diane Parish). Denise's half-sister Kim Fox will be played by Tameka Empson and Kim's boyfriend Dexter will be played by Robbie Gee.[59]
• 15 September 2009 For EastEnders' 25th anniversary, the Friday 19 February 2010 episode will be broadcast live. The episode will feature the resolution to a big storyline.[60]
• 8 September 2009 EastEnders has won three out of a possible five awards at the 2009 TV Quick and TV Choice Awards: Best Soap, Best Soap Storyline for Ronnie Mitchell and Danielle Jones' story, and Best Soap Newcomer for Lauren Crace who played Danielle.[61]
• 7 September 2009 The character of Tony King, played by Chris Coghill, is to return to the show in November 2009 for his trial where Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is due to give evidence by video link.[62]
• 7 September 2009 EastEnders has been nominated for eight awards at the 2009 National Television Awards including Most Popular Serial Drama, six nominations for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance for Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell), Jake Wood (Max Branning), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Diane Parish (Denise Wicks), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) and Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell), and Most Popular Newcomer for Neil McDermott (Ryan Malloy).[63]
• 1 September 2009 The EastEnders title sequence has been revamped for the first time in ten years when the Millennium Dome was added. The new titles include new colours, moving clouds, a boat on the River Thames and a change in the way the EastEnders logo appears. The theme tune has also been rescored by its original composer, Simon May.[64][65]

August 2009

• 25 August 2009 Two EastEnders stars are to appear in the 2009 series of the BBC dancing talent show Strictly Come Dancing. They are Natalie Cassidy who played Sonia Fowler, and Ricky Groves who played Garry Hobbs.[66]

July 2009

• 25 July 2009 Actor Harry Towb, who appeared in the show as David, the Jewish fiancé of Janine Butcher, has died at the age of 83, following a battle with cancer.[67]
• 23 July 2009 The character of Joel Reynolds has been cast. Joel is the first love of Ronnie Mitchell and father of Danielle Jones, and has been mentioned several times in the last two years. He will be played by Cavan Clerkin.[68]
• 20 July 2009 Mayor of London Boris Johnson has filmed scenes in EastEnders, to be aired in Autumn 2009. Johnson will portray himself.[69]
• 7 July 2009 EastEnders has received 22 nominations at the 2009 Inside Soap Awards, including three nominations for best actor, three for best actress, two for best newcomer, two for best young actor, three for best storyline, and best soap.[70]

June 2009

• 26 June 2009 A scene in EastEnders was filmed on the day of transmission to include a reference to the death of Michael Jackson.[71]
• 15 June 2009 The characters of Owen and Liz Turner are to return to the show, played by Lee Ross and Kate Williams.[72]
• 5 June 2009 EastEnders' first disabled adult actor will be joining the show in Autumn 2009. David Proud will play Adam Best, the son of Manda Best played by Josie Lawrence. Both the actor and the character have spina bifida.[73]

May 2009

• 19 May 2009 EastEnders has received eight nominations at this year's TV Quick and TV Choice Awards, including two nominations for Best Soap Actor, two for Best Soap Actress, one for Best Soap Newcomer, two for Best Soap Storyline, and Best Soap.[74]
• 10 May 2009 EastEnders has won seven awards at the British Soap Awards, including Best Soap, Best Actor (Robert Kazinsky), Best Dramatic Performance by a Young Actor or Actress (Maisie Smith), and a Lifetime Achievement award for Barbara Windsor.[75]
• 5 May 2009 EastEnders is nominated in eight out of the nine categories voted for by a panel of judges at the 2009 British Soap Awards. Nominees include Nina Wadia, Patsy Palmer, Maisie Smith and Shona McGarty. There are also several nominations in the public-voted categories, including 'Best Soap'.[76]

April 2009

• 7 April 2009 Actress Danniella Westbrook is to return to the soap to reprise her role as Sam Mitchell. She was last seen on-screen in 2000. The character returned in 2002 played by Kim Medcalf.[77]

March 2009

• 31 March 2009 EastEnders has won three awards at the All About Soap Bubble Awards. Charlie Brooks won the award for Bad Girl for her portrayal of Janine Butcher, Rita Simons and Robert Kazinsky won the Fatal Attraction award for their portrayal of Roxy Mitchell and Sean Slater's romance, and Jake Wood and Scott Maslen won the Fight Club award for a fight between their characters, Max Branning and Jack Branning.[78]
• 26 March 2009 Actors Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs) and Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann) are be written out of the show in the autumn. They will film their final scenes this summer.[79]
• 24 March 2009 Actress June Brown has been nominated for the best TV actress award in the British Academy Television Awards for her portrayal of Dot Branning in EastEnders. She is cited for the January 2008 solo episode in which she was the only actor who appeared. EastEnders is also nominated for best continuing drama, its tenth nomination in this category.[80]
• 11 March 2009 EastEnders has won the award for TV Soap of the Year at the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards.[81]
• 3 March 2009 A new character, Amira Shah, is the join the show, played by Preeya Kalidas. She will be the girlfriend of new character Syed Masood.[82]

February 2009

• 26 February 2009 Actress Wendy Richard, who played original EastEnders character Pauline Fowler, has died of cancer at the age of 65.[83]
• 20 February 2009 Actor Marc Elliott is to join the show as Syed Masood, son of established characters Masood Ahmed and Zainab Masood.[84]

March 2008

• 2008-03-08 Actor Larry Lamb will join the cast of EastEnders later in 2008, playing the role of Archie Mitchell, the father of Ronnie and Roxy.[85]

February 2008

• 2008-02-22 Actor Aaron Sidwell, who plays the character of Steven Beale, is to depart from the show in 2008. David Spinx and Joe Swash (Keith and Mickey Miller) have also been axed.[86][87]
• 2008-02-03 Three new characters are to appear in the soap. Lucas Johnson, Chelsea Fox's father, will be played by Don Gilet, Ricky Butcher's partner Melinda will be portrayed by My Family actress Siobhan Hayes, and Gus Smith's aunt Opal will be played by Rustie Lee.[88][89][90]

January 2008

• 2008-01-23 The BBC and Ofcom have received a total of 191 complaints following the 22 January 2008 episode showing scenes where 13-year-old Jay Brown (played by Jamie Borthwick) was stabbed by a gang member.[91]
• 2008-01-19 Two EastEnders actresses, Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann) and Gemma Bissix (Clare Bates), are to take part in an upcoming Sport Relief charity special of Strictly Come Dancing due to air on 14 March 2008.[92]
• 2008-01-18 Mohammed George, who plays Gus Smith, and Robert Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater will both depart from the show in 2008.[93]
• 2008-01-03 A new character, Selina Branning will join the show played by Daisy Beaumont. Selina is the wife of Jack Branning. Selina and Jack's daughter Penny will also be appearing.[94]

November 2007

• 2007-11-28 EastEnders co-creator, Tony Holland, has died at age 67, following a period of illness.[95]
• 2007-11-21 A new documentary looking back at past Christmas episodes, EastEnders Christmas Fall Outs, is to air on 26 December 2007 on BBC Three.[96]
• 2007-11-16 EastEnders is to have its first ever one-hander episode, starring June Brown as Dot Branning. The episode is to be broadcast in early 2008.[97]
• 2007-11-16 EastEnders received 1043 complaints from viewers following scenes of violence and a reference to the Hillsborough Disaster. The BBC has apologised.[98]
• 2007-11-13 Marc Bannerman, who played Gianni di Marco, is currently appearing in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.[99]
• 2007-11-08 Actress Hilda Braid, who played Nana Moon, has died after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[100]
• 2007-11-07 A new gay character, Christian Clarke, is to join the show, played by John Partridge. He is the brother of Jane Beale.[101]
• 2007-11-03 Characters Janine and Diane Butcher (played by Charlie Brooks and Sophie Lawrence respectively) are to return to the show for a special episode dedicated to the memory of Mike Reid, who played their on-screen father Frank Butcher.[102]
• 2007-11-01 EastEnders has won 'Best Soap' at this year's National Television Awards.[103]

October 2007

• 2007-10-29 Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen are to return to the show, reprising their roles as Bianca Jackson and Ricky Butcher respectively. Their son Liam Butcher will also return.[104][105]
• 2007-10-16 A new documentary episode, EastEnders Affairs: Max and Stacey is to air on BBC Three on 1 November 2007.[106]
• 2007-10-15 EastEnders is nominated for Most Popular Serial Drama in this year's National Television Awards. Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater), Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann) and Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning) are also nominated for awards.[107]

September 2007

• 2007-09-25 Gemma Bissix is to return to the soap, reprising her role as Clare Bates.[108]
• 2007-09-24 EastEnders has won five awards at this year's Inside Soap awards: Best Actress (Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater), Best Couple (Stacey Slater and Bradley Branning), Best Bitch (Stella Crawford, played by Sophie Thompson), Best Storyline (Stella's torment of Ben) and Best Dressed Soap Star (Kara Tointon, who plays Dawn Swann).[109]
• 2007-09-13 Matt Di Angelo, who plays Deano Wicks in the show, and Letitia Dean who played Sharon Rickman, are to participate in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.[110]

August 2007

• 2007-08-20 Phil Daniels (Kevin Wicks), Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks) and Matt Di Angelo (Deano Wicks) will all be leaving the soap in 2008. Diane Parish (Denise Wicks) will also leave for a while on maternity leave.[111]
• 2007-08-08 Comedian Bobby Davro is to join the soap, playing a character named Vince Monks.[112]

July 2007

• 2007-07-29 Mike Reid, who played Frank Butcher, has died of a heart attack, aged 67.[113]
• 2007-07-13 Scott Maslen has quit his role as Phil Hunter in The Bill to take the role of Jack Branning in EastEnders.[114]
• 2007-07-04 Cindy Williams, daughter of Cindy Beale and Nick Holland, is to return to EastEnders. She was last seen in 1998 as a baby, played by Ella Wortley and Cydney Parker. It is not yet known who will play her when she returns.[115]

June 2007

• 2007-06-27 A new documentary episode, EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella will be screened on BBC Three on 20 July 2007. It will include contributions from Tracey-Ann Oberman, Laurie Brett, and Sophie Thompson.[116]
• 2007-06-20 80 year old actor Tommy Eytle, who played Jules Tavernier in EastEnders has died.[117]
• 2007-06-19 Almost two hundred viewers have complained about the episode broadcast on 18 June 2007, when May Wright threatened to give Dawn Swann a Caesarean section, despite a content warning being shown before the episode aired.
• 2007-06-17 67-year-old John Bardon, the actor who plays Jim Branning, is suspected to have suffered a substantial stroke, and is reportedly in a stable condition in hospital.[118]
• 2007-06-07 Actor Stephen Lord is to join EastEnders, playing Jay Brown's father, Jase Dyer.[119]
• 2007-06-04 The show's end credits have been changed to vertical scrolling credits due to new guidelines.[120]
• 2007-06-04 A new character, an Australian vet named Fin, is to join the show, played by actor Danny Alder.[121]
• 2007-06-02 Christopher Ellison is to appear in four episodes of EastEnders as Len Harker, a love interest for Pat Evans.[122]

May 2007

• 2007-05-22 A future storyline involving the kidnapping of Dawn Swann and Rob Minter's baby by May Wright has been substantially rewritten due to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.[123]
• 2007-05-22 The father of character Jay Brown is to appear in the show, although the part has not yet been cast.[124]
• 2007-05-20 Comedienne Nina Wadia is to join EastEnders playing Zainab Masood. Zainab's daughter Shabnam will be played by Zahra Ahmadi.[125]
• 2007-05-03 Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson) is to depart from the show later this year.[126]

April 2007

• 2007-04-27 A scene involving baby Tomas Covalenco crying has been cut from the 29 April 2007 omnibus, after viewers complained that the baby appeared distressed.[127]
• 2007-04-24 Will Mellor is to appear in EastEnders for four episodes in May as a salesman named Warren.[128]
• 2007-04-17 Two new characters, Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell are to join the show, as cousins of Phil Mitchell. They will attend his wedding to Stella Crawford and decide to move to Walford.[129]
• 2007-04-13 A new documentary episode, EastEnders Feuds: The Beales vs The Mitchells will be screened on BBC Three. It will be narrated by Martin Kemp, and include contributions from Tony Jordan, Adam Woodyatt, Perry Fenwick, Cliff Parisi and Hannah Waterman.[130]
• 2007-04-12 EastEnders has been nominated for a BAFTA award in the 'Best Continuing Drama' category. [131]
• 2007-04-11 Simon Fuller is planning to make an American soap called Born in the USA starring Lisa Tucker and Tembi Locke, which will be based on EastEnders and will be set in Philadelphia.[132]
• 2007-04-11 Pooja Shah, Carly Hillman, Carol Harrison and John Altman (Kareena Ferreira, Nicky di Marco, Louise Raymond and Nick Cotton respectively) are currently participating in Soapstar Superchef.[133][134]

March 2007

• 2007-03-31 Scenes involving Ben Mitchell being attacked by bullies as Stella Crawford watched, have generated sixty complaints from viewers.[135]
• 2007-03-30 From April 2007, EastEnders will be available to view on mobile phones for 3, Vodafone and Orange customers.[136]
• 2007-03-28 Mohammed George, who plays Gus Smith in the soap, has been suspended for two months.[137]
• 2007-03-15 Ross Kemp, who played Grant Mitchell in EastEnders is taking part in Comic Relief Does The Apprentice.[138]
• 2007-03-14 Actor Gareth Hunt, who played Ritchie Stringer in EastEnders in 2001 has died of pancreatic cancer, aged 65.[139]
• 2007-03-12 EastEnders has been nominated for 'Best Soap' and also has three nominations for 'Villain of the Year' (for Stella Crawford, Sean Slater and Owen Turner) at the British Soap Awards.[140]
• 2007-03-12 Veteran actress Sylvia Syms is to join EastEnders in April, playing a character connected with Peggy Mitchell, named Olive.[141]
• 2007-03-08 Executive producer Diederick Santer is aiming to bring original character Dr. Legg back into the show for at least one episode.[142]
• 2007-03-04 EastEnders has picked up four awards at the All About Soap awards: Best Tearjerker (Stacey Slater's abortion), Best Dressed (Kara Tointon), Biggest Wedding Shock (Ian Beale and Jane Collins' wedding day) and Best Double Act (Garry Hobbs and Minty Peterson).[143]
• 2007-03-02 A new Bulgarian character, Onasta, is to join the show at the end of March, as Pauline Fowler's replacement at the laundrette.[144]

February 2007

• 2007-02-22 Former EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, who played Barry Evans, Linda Robson, who played Flo Medeemey in Civvy Street, and EastEnders Xtra presenter Angellica Bell are taking part in the current series of Comic Relief does Fame Academy.[145]
• 2007-02-16 A special documentary entitled EastEnders Scandals: The Wicks Family is to be broadcast on 8 March at 8.30 p.m. on BBC Three, following the return of the character Kevin Wicks.[146]
• 2007-02-15 Bollywood actress and Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty is reported to have turned down a role as Preeti Choraria's sister in EastEnders.[147]
• 2007-02-09 Former Page Three girl Tracy Kirby is to join the soap, playing a lap dancing club owner in the show. [148]
• 2007-02-09 Filming of EastEnders was cancelled due to heavy snow on set.[149]

January 2007

• 2007-01-25 EastEnders has twelve award nominations at this year's All About Soap awards.[150]
• 2007-01-19 Petra Letang, who plays Naomi Julien, has reportedly been axed from the show.[151]
• 2007-01-18 A special documentary called EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia is to be aired on 2 February 2007, marking the departure of Martin and Sonia Fowler.[152]
• 2007-01-08 Robert Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater, has been suspended from the show for two months, starting in February.[153]
• 2007-01-08 Actress Mandana Jones is to join the show on 20 February, playing Anna Price.[154]
• 2007-01-05 Bad Girls actress Kika Mirylees will be joining the soap later this year, playing Hazel Hobbs, the mother of Garry Hobbs.[155]

December 2006

• 2006-12-12 John Bardon (Jim Branning in EastEnders) and Hannah Waterman (Laura Beale) will be competing in the upcoming series of the celebrity singing contest Just the Two of Us.[156]

November 2006

• 2006-11-25 Elaine Lordan, who played Lynne Hobbs, is to appear in the upcoming series of Soapstar Superstar.[157]
• 2006-11-20 Wendy Richard, who plays Pauline Fowler, has been named as the Daily Express Readers' Most Popular TV Personality. Ross Kemp, who played Grant Mitchell was also named Multichannel TV Personality.[158]
• 2006-11-18 Martha Ross, who has worked as an extra on EastEnders since its inception, has had her contract terminated for telling her son Paul a Christmas storyline, which he leaked on his LBC radio show.[159]
• 2006-11-17 Dean Gaffney, who played Robbie Jackson in EastEnders, is currently taking part in the sixth series of the ITV reality TV show, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.[160]
• 2006-11-13 BBC Three will air a new behind-the-scenes programme, called EastEnders Unveiled: A Weddings Special, focusing on EastEnders weddings on 1 December 2006.[161]
• 2006-11-10 Ex-EastEnders actress Diana Coupland, who played Maureen Carter, has died after a heart operation, aged 74.[162]
• 2006-11-01 EastEnders wins the award for Most Popular Serial Drama at the National Television Awards for the second year running. Charlie Clements who plays Bradley Branning wins Best Newcomer.[163]

October 2006

• 2006-10-31 Marji Campi is to appear in EastEnders in December, playing Bert Atkinson's ex-wife Evie.[164]
• 2006-10-26 Veteran actress Lynda Baron will appear in EastEnders in November, playing Jane Collins' mother, Linda.[165]
• 2006-10-21 Actress Elaine Tan is to join the cast from 16 November 2006, playing a dodgy dealer named Li Chong.[166]
• 2006-10-16 Original EastEnders actor Ross Davidson, who played Andy O'Brien, has died from a brain tumour, aged 57.[167]
• 2006-10-11 EastEnders wins the Mental Health Media Award in the category of soaps and continual dramas for the storyline involving Stacey Slater and her mother Jean.[168]
• 2006-10-07 Indian actress Babita Pohoomull is to join the cast from 27 October 2006, playing a beauty therapist named Preeti Choraria.[169]
• 2006-10-02 Ray Brooks, who plays Joe Macer, is to leave the soap in January 2007, following the December 2006 departure of his on-screen wife, Pauline Fowler, played by Wendy Richard.[170]

September 2006

• 2006-09-26 EastEnders wins six awards at the Inside Soap Awards, including "Best Soap" for the tenth year running.[171]
• 2006-09-14 Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby Allen is to take part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.[172]
• 2006-09-08 Bad Girls actress Linda Henry is to join the soap as Carly and Deano's mum, Shirley Wicks.[173]
• 2006-09-05 EastEnders wins the award for Best Soap at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards. Charlie Clements who plays Bradley Branning wins Best Soap Newcomer.[174]
• 2006-09-05 EastEnders is shortlisted for a Mental Health Media Award in the category for soaps and continual dramas for the storyline involving Stacey Slater and her mother Jean.[175]