Booth: Tanya may go back to Max

Stefan Booth believes Tanya and Max Branning may have a chance of getting back together.

The EastEnders actor plays Tanya's new love interest, Greg Jessop, and while he wants everything to work out for Greg and Tanya, he thinks she might still have feelings for her cheating ex-husband Max.

Stefan told Soaplife: "I know there's a danger Tanya could end up back with Max again, but I'd like to think their future could sustain a healthy long-term relationship."

But with Greg giving Tanya all the love and affection she never got from Max, Stefan is confident their relationship is safe, for now.

He said: "Max let Tanya down badly. But she can utterly rely on Greg. He absolutely adores Tanya and she knows that.

"She hasn't had that sort of doting affection from Max. No matter what happens, Greg will always be there for her. I think that's what she's after someone who's going to be true and genuine."

Source - MSN

Mums criticise soap baby swap plot

EastEnders' viewers have set up Facebook groups opposing the soap's harrowing baby swap storyline.

The show's New Year plot sees distraught Ronnie Branning, played by Samantha Womack, lose her newborn son James to cot death before exchanging him for Kat Moon's new baby Tommy.

Angry mothers who have lost children to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have branded the plot "hurtful" and "ridiculous".

Ailsa Hichens, 38, who lost her nine-month-old daughter Martha last New Year's Eve, told the Sun: "This 'twist' is ludicrous and hurtful.

"People who watch it could look at mothers who have lost a child and think that they would snatch their baby. It's distressing."

Show bosses have edited some of the more graphic scenes from the episodes following a preview screening.

An EastEnders insider told the newspaper: "Bosses are keen to assure viewers that they're not portraying Ronnie's behaviour as typical of bereaved mothers.

"Regular viewers know she's lost two children before this tragedy with James. She acts in a state of grief and shock."

Source - MSN

Video: Stacey: My Year

Archie's murder, poor old Bradley's tragic death. The year didn't start well for Stacey, but how will it finish?

Video: Stacey's Best Bits

Relive the highs and lows of Stacey Branning's six years in Albert Square from weddings and affairs to cat fights and murder.

Square tones down cot death scenes

EastEnders bosses have made last-minute changes to the soap's harrowing New Year's Eve episode about cot death to avoid upsetting viewers.

Programme chiefs said they have made "small edits" to certain scenes in the show, which sees Ronnie Branning lose her day-old baby before swapping it with Kat Moon's newborn son, without altering the content of the story.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "We're very aware of the need to deal with such an emotive subject matter as sudden infant death syndrome sensitively in what is a very powerful, dramatic storyline."

Shots of distraught Ronnie, played by Samantha Womack, touching the cold hand of her dead son have been edited out.

Producers have also toned down the sound of Kat's baby crying, which attracts Ronnie's attention as she clutches her lifeless son in Albert Square.

In a further change, they edited a scene which showed new mother Kat in blood-soaked pyjamas after husband Alfie finds her haemorrhaging in her bed.

Bryan went on: "These are small edits which we have made being mindful of viewer sensitivity but which will in no way detract from the compelling drama, dialogue or performances."

An EastEnders insider said: "We didn't want one scene to overshadow a really powerful story."

Producers made the changes following a preview screening of the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day episodes.

The soap has worked with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to ensure the story is portrayed accurately.

Source - msn

Brooks has Bible next to her bed

Charlie Brooks' devious on-screen antics as Janine Malloy have provoked viewers into sending her Bibles in the post, the star has revealed.

The EastEnders actress, whose alter ego pushed husband Barry to his death and has been poisoning her latest spouse Ryan, even receives messages in which fans beg for her salvation.

She said: "As fan mail, I get things like Bibles saying 'God help you'. I keep them in a drawer next to my bed!"

She said co-star Neil McDermott, who plays Ryan receives "pants, bras, and everything else" but he played down the fan attention, insisting: "I really just get normal letters from normal people."

The pair are currently involved in a love triangle plot which sees Ryan caught between Janine and his lover Stacey Branning, who bows out of the soap on Christmas Day.

Source - MSN

Sam: Filming cot death 'horrific'

EastEnders star Samantha Womack has spoken out about filming the soap's cot death tragedy, saying: "It's been the most horrific four weeks of my life."

The actress plays Ronnie Branning, who loses one-day-old son James, before secretly swapping him with Kat Moon's newborn Tommy in an impulsive moment of shock and confusion.

She told Inside Soap magazine: "I couldn't stop crying when we were filming the scenes where Ronnie finds her dead baby.

"I couldn't switch off when I returned home each day. What Ronnie has been through is such a crushingly awful thing to even pretend might happen to you. I actually felt ill having to portray it.

"We used an expensive silicone doll, and it was so lifelike it upset a lot of people on set. We had to stop and take a break because it was too much."

Samantha said she worried about how viewers will react to the heart-rending story, which airs on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

"I love EastEnders and the fans enjoy it because it's hardcore and bleak and times. But I also worry because it's such a traumatic storyline.

"New Year can be a difficult time for some people, so I really hope it is taken in the the spirit in which it's intended - which is about producing dramatic television."

Shane Richie, who plays Alfie Moon, said the story prompted him to keep checking on his two-year-old daughter Lolita.

"In all my years of playing Alfie, I've never brought my work home with me but now I have," he said.

Source - MSN

Star's sister 'cast by accident'

EastEnders bosses cast the little sister of Walford star Lacey Turner "by complete accident" unaware they were even related.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood picked Lily Harvey, nine, to play cheeky youngster Shenice after being impressed by her audition tape.

It was only after he made the decision that he learned she was the sister of 22-year-old Lacey, who bows out of her role as Stacey Branning at Christmas.

Kirkwood said: "The truth of it is I didn't know she was Lacey's sister until after I said she was the girl I wanted to cast. Whether by accident or design I sat down and watched a tape of a very talented young girl and it was only after we decided that I was told it was Lacey's sister. So it was complete accident."

Lily begins filming in January and hits screens in March as Shenice, the daughter of Kat Moon's new friend Martine.

Kirkwood made his comments at a screening of the soap's heart-rending New Year's Eve and New Year's Day episodes, in which Ronnie Mitchell loses her one-day-old son James to cot death.

While new mother Kat is getting emergency treatment in hospital and the rest of Albert Square is ringing in the new year, shocked Ronnie runs into the Queen Vic and switches her baby for Kat's newborn, Tommy.

Kirkwood described the devastated mum's actions as "one of the most powerful moments in EastEnders history", and heralded the plot as one of the show's "biggest and bravest" to date.

The soap worked with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID), to ensure the sensitive subject was portrayed correctly.

Ronnie's secret will remain hidden from everyone but the audience for "a long time", a show source added.

Source - MSN

Lacey's sister joins EastEnders

Lacey Turner's little sister is joining EastEnders just weeks after the popular actress bows out of Walford.

Nine-year-old Lily Harvey, whose older sibling has played Stacey Branning since 2004, hits screens in March.

She has been cast as cheeky Shenice, the daughter of Kat Moon's new friend Martine, played by Tamara Wall, the Sun reports.

Lacey, 22, is said to be "thrilled" about her sister's new gig.

A source told the newspaper: "She loved growing up on set and is happy to still have links. She'll give Lily lots of advice and has made the older stars promise to look out for her. Lily takes after Lacey, she's a star in the making."

Lily, who lives with Lacey, sister Daisy and mum Bev, had to audition for the role despite her family link.

Lacey leaves screens on Christmas Day but details of exactly how she bows out remain a secret.

Source - MSN

Lacey: I quit right after Charlie

EastEnders star Lacey Turner has revealed she decided to leave the soap after screen husband Charlie Clements made his decision to go.

The actress has played Stacey Branning for six and a half years, but bows out on Christmas Day.

Actor Charlie left the soap in dramatic fashion in February, when his character Bradley Branning plunged to his death from an Albert Square building during the show's 25th anniversary live episode.

Lacey said: "I'd always told Charlie 'I'll go when you go'. He said he was going so I made my decision the day after. I'd been thinking about it but wasn't quite brave enough before then.

"I gave them a year's notice so they could plan it properly. It was a massive decision - one I'll probably regret, but you never know!"

The 22-year-old has received critical acclaim and numerous television awards during her time at EastEnders, but she insists she is leaving with "no plan" for what to do next.

"I feel like I've worked for ever. I went to school and came here straight after. I've never really had a chance to do nothing, and I am rubbish at doing nothing, but I'll try. I'm going to try and just chill out and wait and see what happens," she said.

Source - MSN

Video: Ryan at the mercy of Janine

Janine attempts to kill Ryan by cutting off his oxygen support.

Lacey can do anything, say co-stars

Lacey Turner's EastEnders co-stars have high hopes for her after she leaves the show.

The actress bows out of Albert Square on Christmas Day after six and a half years in Walford.

Although she insists she has no plan for what to do next, her friends on the show think she will be spoilt for choice when it comes to new opportunities.

Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine Malloy, said: "I am sad, but excited for her. There are so many great opportunities that are going to come her way. I think it's the right time for her to go."

Meanwhile, Neil McDermott, whose character Ryan Malloy has been having an affair with Stacey, said: "It's been great for me to have the chance to work with her over the last three months. She's a naturally gifted actress and hopefully she'll get loads of opportunities out there.

"She can do anything she puts her mind to. Acting comes really naturally to her. Whatever she chooses I'm sure she'll be successful."

Source - MSN

McDermott reveals freaky moment

EastEnders star Neil McDermott admitted he got "freaked out" when he filmed the scenes of his screen daughter's birth because he had just discovered his real-life wife was pregnant.

The actor, who plays Ryan Malloy in the soap, is awaiting the birth of his baby daughter with wife Michelle.

In the soap he is the father of Stacey Branning's baby Lily.

He said: "The day I found out Michelle was pregnant was the day I was filming Stacey giving birth. I was holding the three-week-old baby we had in there and I wasn't telling anyone at the time that Michelle was pregnant, so that was a very strange day. I was getting freaked out."

But he is enjoying the practice at fatherhood he is getting with the two babies who play Lily.

He added: "Hopefully I won't have to save my daughter from a fire... but it's been great having two little Lilies around."

And he can't wait for the baby, due on New Year's Day, to arrive.

"I'm really, really looking forward to it now," he said.

Source - MSN

Sonia Fowler makes brief return

Natalie Cassidy is to make a one-off return to EastEnders in the new year.

The actress, best known for playing Sonia Fowler, appears in Albert Square in one episode as part of a storyline involving screen sister Bianca Butcher.

According to the Sun, she shows up after a big row between Carol, Whitney and Connor, which leads to truths emerging about Connor's relationships with Bianca's mother and stepdaughter.

Bianca disappears from the Square in mysterious circumstances, but Sonia's return helps provide answers about where she is.

A Walford insider told the newspaper: "True to form, Bianca has got herself into big trouble while trying to protect her family and, scared about what might happen, she does a runner.

"When she suddenly goes missing, Sonia turns up unannounced and drops the bombshell that she knows where Bianca is and what she is going to do next."

When she comes back, viewers will also find out what she and husband Martin have been doing outside Walford.

In real life, actress Natalie has recently given birth to daughter Eliza.

Actress Patsy has finished filming at the show for the time being because she is now on maternity leave, having recently welcome son Bertie.

Source - MSN

Spoilers for 17-21 January 2011

Monday 17 January 2011

Bianca is worried about the way Tiffany is acting and fears she may be being abused, in the first visit of the week to Walford.

Meanwhile, Tamwar wants to set up the perfect date and Shirley tries to get rid of Glenda.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Carol is forced to admit the truth to Bianca in tonight's visit to Albert Square. Meanwhile, Max takes control of the situation, but is he too late?

Thursday 20 January 2011

Kat is annoyed by the way Alfie is acting and questions their future, in tonight's visit to the Square.

Meanwhile, Tamwar secretly meets up with Afia but will they be caught out?

Christian wants to start a family but what will Syed think?

Friday 21 January 2011

Alfie tries to convince Kat to put the past behind her and that her future is at the Vic, in the last visit of the week to Walford.

Despite Sonia and Carol's desperate intervention, Bianca makes a devastating decision.

Meanwhile, Syed has a change of heart.

Source - Press Office

Video: Ryan loves...

Janine keeps Ryan drugged in a bid to keep Ryan and Stacey apart.

EastEnders star: Janine is no killer

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has insisted her scheming alter ego Janine Malloy is no killer.

Fans saw Janine's husband Barry Evans plummet to his death in 2004 after she pushed him, and now she is poisoning husband Ryan Malloy after rumbling his affair with Stacey Branning.

But the actress stressed that her character in fact can't live without Ryan, played by Neil McDermott.

"I don't think she's a killer. I think she wants to hurt him because she's hurt. And her thought process is that if she can't have him no one can.

"So she is just looking to knock him off his feet for a few days, make him see sense, get rid of Stacey and realise he loves her. It's a bit of a Misery scenario."

She added: "The thought [of killing him] has obviously crossed her mind but when it comes down to it she can't live without him. Through poisoning she doesn't care about the fact she could get arrested and go to jail. As far as she is concerned her life is over if she doesn't have him."

Charlie is enjoying the plot, particularly as it gives audiences a chance to see a different side to devious Janine.

"They'll see vulnerability in her character. Even Janine herself thinks 'Why can't I be normal?' She's incapable of that. She doesn't know how to deal with love.

"And I think it's always nice when the audience see her vulnerability and are reminded of why she behaves that way and what makes her tick. I think we'll probably see a little bit more of that."

Source - MSN

Spoilers for 10-14 January 2011

Monday 10 January 2011

Ronnie finally bonds with the baby, in the week's first visit to Albert Square.

Meanwhile, Carol is desperately trying to find ways to keep Tiffany from spilling the beans.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Ronnie tries her best to stay away from the funeral, but something inside her wills her to go, as the drama continues in Walford.

Elsewhere, Tiffany continues to make Carol anxious over their secret.

Thursday 13 January 2011

Charlie and Kat remain distant from each other in today's visit to the Square. Kat seeks comfort in Ronnie and her baby.

Tamwar is also seeking attention and Darren has some great advice for him.

Friday 14 January 2011

Roxy has to break some news in today's visit to the Square.

Meanwhile, the Masoods have money troubles. And Cupid brings Carol some problems of her own.

Spoilers - Press Office

Patsy Palmer welcomes baby boy

EastEnders star Patsy Palmer has given birth to a baby boy.

The actress, who plays Bianca Butcher, welcomed son Bertie a few weeks early, a close friend said.

The pal revealed: "Patsy's waters broke a couple of weeks ago and she was taken to hospital to be on the safe side. She rested up and then Bertie arrived on Wednesday. The family are over the moon."

The friend added: "Staff at the hospital have been amazing. She has been looked after very well."

Patsy, 38, has two other children with husband Richard Merkell and another child from a previous relationship.

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: "Everyone at EastEnders is absolutely thrilled for Patsy and Richard."

The actress, who is now on maternity leave, will leave screens early next year.

Source - MSN

Lacey Turner: I'll miss EastEnders

Lacey Turner has admitted she'll miss EastEnders after playing troubled Stacey Branning for more than six years.

The actress, 22, who bows out of the show on Christmas Day, felt tearful at the prospect of saying goodbye.

She told the TV Times: "Now I've got to the end, I don't know why I'm going. I feel like I've grown up here, so I'll miss it all. The people, the buzz of it; everything. I might cry in a minute."

When asked to pick her favourite storylines, she said: "I loved all the Bradley and Stacey stuff from the beginning. The fact that the geek falls in love with the tart; I just love the way their relationship went.

"I also liked Max and Stacey's affair because it was spread out over a year, so I got the chance to play a lot of different emotions. And the bi-polar storyline was great because of the affect it had on so many people; I learned so much doing that."

She said she felt it was time to "move on" but admitted she doesn't have a plan.

Stacey will fittingly play a key role in the soap's big Christmas plot.

When her lover Ryan Malloy reveals in the Queen Vic that she's the one he wants, his scorned wife Janine Butcher will seek revenge.

Lauren Branning hands Janine her phone, where she recorded Stacey's confession to killing Archie last Christmas, and a gleeful Janine gets set to expose the dark secret to the whole of Walford.

But soap bosses remain tight-lipped about the outcome of the storyline, and how exactly Stacey makes her exit.

Source - msn

Video: Janine Discovers Ryan and Stacey's Plan

Ryan and Stacey discuss their plans, unaware that Janine is within earshot.

Spoilers for 1-7 January 2011

Saturday 1 January 2011

Ronnie realises the consequences of her actions the previous night, in today's visit to the Square.

Meanwhile, the Slaters struggle to come to terms with the drama that unfolded for them over the New Year.

Elsewhere, Tiffany starts to show suspicious behaviour but only Carol knows why.

Monday 3 January 2011

Kat struggles to come to terms with her loss.

Meanwhile, Ronnie is finding it hard to become the mother she's always wanted to be.

Elsewhere, Christian also wants a good start to the New Year, but what is he trying to hide?

Tuesday 4 January 2011

As Alfie arranges the funeral, Ronnie tries to stay away from everybody in the Square.

Meanwhile, Ben finds himself back in trouble.

Thurday 6 January 2011

Kat finds out that Charlie has done something unforgivable, in the latest drama from Walford.

Meanwhile, Glenda discovers she's been misled, but it doesn't stop her from getting what she wants.

Friday 7 January 2011

Liam convinces Tiffany to keep her secret, for fear it may cause a family dispute, in the week's final visit to Albert Square.

Elsewhere, Jack and Alfie have an awkward bonding moment which brings them closer.

Spoilers for 20-31 December 2010

Monday 20 December 2010

Despite Pat's pleas, Janine finally admits the unpalatable truth about Ryan's condition, in the week's first visit to Albert Square.

Meanwhile, Denise is devastated when Lucas's sister Gloria arrives with some upsetting news.

Elsewhere, Ian accidentally reveals a dangerous secret to Peter.

And Connor faces Phil's fury when his actions risk drawing unwelcome attention.

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Bianca resorts to desperate measures to ensure her children get the Christmas they deserve.

Meanwhile, Max and Vanessa struggle to play happy families with Tanya and Greg.

Elsewhere, Ryan's declaration of love leaves one of the women in his life broken-hearted but will it be Janine or Stacey

Thursday 23 December 2010

Ryan's shock announcement causes mayhem in The Vic as the Butchers square up to the Slaters.

Elsewhere, Glenda is horrified when Peter issues her with a savage warning.

And Lauren takes drastic action to punish Stacey, much to Janine's delight

Friday 24 December 2010

Janine's last desperate stand to expose Stacey doesn't quite go according to plan.

Meanwhile, Peter has a shocking parting shot for Ian before leaving for good.

Elsewhere, Bianca's decision to take responsibility for her actions leads to further trouble.

Also today, Kim saves the day at the carol concert, much to Dot's displeasure

Saturday 25 December 2010

Janine's evil brooding over the discovery of Ryan's relationship with Stacey finally culminates in a spectacular announcement.

It means that Stacey is forced to make a life-changing decision.

Sunday 26 December 2010

Everyone is trying to get over the events of Christmas Day, in the latest visit to Albert Square.

Meanwhile, Carol is forced to make a tough decision.

Monday 27 December 2010

Connor gets into trouble with Phil, as the drama continues in the London Borough of Walford.

Elsewhere, Pat receives a worrying phone call; and Kat has a false alarm.

Tuesday 28 December 2010

Dot latches onto Edward for company, in the latest visit to Walford.

Meanwhile, Jean is feeling disorientated.

Thursday 30 December 2010

Syed accuses Christian of being shallow, in the latest developments in Albert Square.

Meanwhile, Ronnie and Kat get a surprise.

Friday 31 December 2010

Christian makes a mistake.

Meanwhile, Ronnie and Kat have a day they will never forget.

Lacey Turner to try 'normal' job?

EastEnders star Lacey Turner hasn't ruled out trying her hand at a "normal job" after leaving the soap.

The actress says goodbye to the role of trouble Stacey Branning this Christmas after six years in Walford.

Discussing her plans for the future, Lacey told the Radio Times: "I'm terrible at doing nothing, but I'm going to try really hard, at least to begin with.

"I find my job quite strange, really. All my friends have got normal jobs and went to uni. I feel I missed out on some things, but gained so much in a different way. So I might try some of those things and see what happens. I want the freedom to go whichever way I want."

But John Yorke, controller of BBC drama production, told the publication he had "quite a few" projects in the works with a view to having Lacey in the starring role.

"I don't think Lacey knows how good she is," he added.

The 22-year-old has picked up a string of television awards during her time in Albert Square, including Best Actress at this year's British Soap Awards.

Source - MSN

Video: Christmas Drama 2010 Trailer

The trailer for the Christmas 2010 drama programming.

EastEnders will have Corrie mention

EastEnders is to include a reference to Coronation Street on screen as a tribute to the Weatherfield soap, which turns 50 this year.

Dot Branning will tell Kat Moon she loves the ITV1 show.

The washerwoman tells her she's on her way home to open a bag of marshmallows, share them with Jim and watch Corrie.

The December 9 episode of the Walford serial will air at 7.30pm on BBC One before the rival channel broadcasts an hour-long episode of Coronation Street to mark its golden anniversary.

An EastEnders insider told the Sun: "We did it as a tribute. Hopefully they will return the favour when we turn 50!"

It is thought to be the first time a soap has given a nod to a rival.

Source - MSN