Is Alfie about to romance Roxy in EastEnders?

EastEnders’ lovable landlord Alfie Moon is rumoured to be about to embark on a passionate romance with Roxy Mitchell.

At one point Roxy even moves into the flat above the Queen Victoria and soap bosses are considering a shocking storyline where Kat returns to find Shane and Roxy in each others’ arms.

A show source said: “It’s been clear for a while that Roxy has a soft spot for Alfie, but things are going to heat up in the coming months.

“She begins to work with him more and more at the Queen Vic, and Alfie’s feelings for Roxy then begin to grow.

“When she has some problems at home, he invites her to stay for a while in a room at the Queen Vic, even though he knows Kat will hit the roof is he finds out.

“That is when their relationship will get really serious, and there is a real potential this will ruin Alfie’s marriage and cause fights and fury across the Square.”

Nicola Stapleton 'enjoying' new side to Mandy

EastEnders actress Nicola Stapleton has admitted that she is enjoying having the chance to show a different side of her character Mandy, rather than playing her as a bad girl all the time.

Speaking to Inside Soap, she revealed that the arrival of her screen mother - played by actress Victoria Alcock - is helping to bring out Mandy's vulnerable side.

"The relationship between Mandy and her mum helps make Mandy multifaceted. I don't want to play just a bitch," she said.

However Nicola added that she hoped viewers would also approve of the change in her alter ego.

"When you play a really prickly character like Mandy, it's nice to take a look at why they behave like that," she said.

"Whether it'll make viewers warm to her, I don't know. People love Mandy when she's awful!"

Jo Joyner tries to laugh off Tanya's storyline

Jo Joyner has explained how she tries to switch off from her EastEnders' cancer storyline when she walks through her front door.

The actress plays Tanya Branning, who has been battling cervical cancer, in the BBC One soap.

Jo said that she feels 'relieved' when she gets home that her life is not like her EastEnders alter-ego's, the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

"I go home and laugh even more hysterically than I would normally because of what's happening to Tanya," she said.

"Saying that, my husband doesn't agree. He thinks I carry it all more than I think I do."

The actress added: "He says I come back miserable, but once I've put the kids in the bath and had a laugh then I feel good again."

Video: Roxy Vs Derek

EastEnders: Weekly Catch-up

Spoilers for 12 - 16 March 2012

Monday 12 March 2012

After refusing to see Shirley, Phil finally agrees to have her visit him in prison - will it be a relief or will she have more to worry about than first expected?

After a brief visit from Mandy’s mum, is romance still alive for the soon to be Mr and Mrs Beale?

Tensions arise in the Branning’s house as Tanya is attends her MRI scan.

Rose becomes suspicious of Dot making a money transfer over the phone, which ultimately comes to a head – will Rose find out who or what it is for?

Tuesday 13 March 2012

With Tanya’s last consultation around the corner, reality kicks in and everyone starts to feel the pressure. Will it be good news for the Branning family?

As Ben tries to distance himself from Phil and opens up to Ian, are his actions becoming more and more like his father's?

In the run up to Heather and Andrew’s wedding, Heather is overwhelmed by a grand gesture from a kind friend.

Roxy is embarrassed after a trip to the salon reveals she has nits, and after blaming Bianca is even more embarrassed when she finds out who they came from.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Whilst waiting to hear the results of Tanya’s scan, Cora recounts fond memories of Tanya’s youth to Lauren. Will they be greeted with tears of joy or sadness?

After a failed trip to see Phil, Ian is becoming more and more uncomfortable at being embroiled in Ben’s lies.

Heather is shocked when a guilt-ridden Andrew reveals the truth about his dangerous past

Friday 16 March 2012

Ian is left in turmoil as he tries to avoid Ben, and some words of wisdom from Patrick help him make a life-changing decision.

Meanwhile, it's the day of Heather's hen do. Heather worries that she can't go through with the wedding after Andrew's confession from the night before.

Hardman Jamie was 'scared' to join EastEnders

Hardman Jamie Foreman has revealed he was 'scared' about joining EastEnders.

The actor, whose autobiography is being serialised in the Daily Mirror, said he leapt at the chance to play Derek Branning because he loved the character, having turned down previous requests to play other roles on the soap.

He said: "I knew I could make Derek a character the 10 million people watching would really love - or love to hate.

"Then it hit me: I'm going be in EastEnders. It was scary. After years making movies, I was in at the deep end and it felt wonderful.

"I was starting all over again."

Jamie said he wished his character had got the chance to 'lock horns with Peggy', played by his friend Barbara Windsor before she quit EastEnders.

But he said: "We've got plans to take Derek off in an interesting new direction, which will be a real challenge for me as an actor."

Jamie, whose autobiography reveals his real-life gangster past, said walking into the Vic when he first arrived in Albert Square felt like 'sliding into a comfortable pair of slippers'.

He added: "For the moment, EastEnders is where I'm at and I'm loving every moment of it."

Jamie: 'Derek's worse than any gangster I've met'

EastEnders star Jamie Foreman has claimed his character, Derek Branning, is worse than any gangster he's ever known.

The 53-year-old actor has published an autobiography revealing his real-life gangster past, growing up knowing the notorious Kray twins and the Great Train Robber Buster Edwards.

But he told the Daily Mirror that EastEnders bad boy Derek is nastier than any of the people he has encountered.

Jamie said: "Derek is the man 10 million viewers love to hate, and I'm thrilled at the impact he's made.

"But Derek is so nasty he even makes me cringe. And, trust me, I've met some really nasty b******s in my time."

The Layer Cake star - who joined the soap as Max's older brother last year - said he wrote his book, Gangsters, Guns And Me, 'to explain what it was like to be born into that world and to grow up around these characters - the real people, the strong men and women, not the gangster caricatures'.

And Jamie is planning to make his own film, about what the Kray twins were really like.

He said: "When I leave EastEnders I'm hoping to produce and direct my own film about the world - and plan to play both the Kray twins myself."

Charlie Brooks to take break from EastEnders

Charlie Brooks is set to take a six-month break from EastEnders.

The 30-year-old, who plays pregnant villainess Janine Butcher on the BBC soap, will wave farewell to Walford in August, after giving birth on the small screen.

"I've got six months off in August, so we're having the bump, but I won't have to deal with prams and stuff in extra small doors on the set," she told The Sun.

There are rumours that the actress is planning to compete on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, following her triumph on the Christmas special.

Charlie previously admitted: "It would be fantastic to do the whole show, but EastEnders is a six days a week job. I've seen how difficult it is to juggle both, but it would be an amazing opportunity."

An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed that the star would be off screens for a short while, but didn't comment on the Strictly reports.

"Charlie will be taking a break from EastEnders later this year. Over the coming months, there will be a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and the story is bound to be explosive," she said.

Video: Love and hate is in the air

Spoilers for 5 - 9 March 2012

Monday 5 March 2012

Lauren’s drinking spirals out of control, leaving Max and Tanya stunned by their daughter’s behaviour.

Mandy’s frustrations with her mother continue, as she worries that she is going to return to her old ways and start drinking again.

Meanwhile, things are extremely tense between Tamwar and Afia – made worse by Tamwar’s assumptions about what he sees on Afia’s laptop.

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Zainab continues to feel cursed by Yusef’s money and seeing Tamwar and Afia’s relationship at breaking point she makes a startling admission.

Max and Tanya confront Lauren about her drinking. Realising that things have gone too far, Max decides to teach his daughter a lesson.

Lorraine turns vicious in an argument with her daughter. Bianca witnesses this and wonders why Mandy doesn’t do anything about it.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Tensions run high for the Masood family, when Zainab confesses the truth about what really happened the night Yusef died. However, Zainab finds an unlikely ally in Christian.

After an intimate affair between Amira and Anthony, reality strikes – leaving Amira to question her life and make a big decision.

Friday 9 March 2012

Mandy is disgusted when she finds her mother passed out with a bottle of vodka, and the two argue, with Lorraine showing her true colours.

It doesn’t take long for Lucy to realise what Lorraine is really like and reveals all to Ian at a family meal. However, as Ian stands up for his fiancé, Lorraine reveals some home truths about her daughter.

As Heather and Andrew celebrate moving in together, Shirley feels increasingly pushed out and fights to keep her best friend to herself – but her behaviour soon backfires.

Lauren continues with her quest for independence but it is clear she is struggling with life away from her parents.

Shona: 'Tyler is The One for Whitney'

EastEnders' Shona McGarty reckons Tyler Moon is Whitney Dean's Mr Right.

The love triangle between Shona's character Whitney, Tyler and Arthur 'Fat Boy' Chubb is set to reach a climax as the nursery worker has to make a choice.

"I think Tyler is the one and has been all along.

They have a lot of chemistry," the actress told We Love Telly.

"Fat Boy is too much of a friend. She was attracted to him because he was safe after all she'd been through. Now she doesn't need a shoulder to cry on."

Shona who is dating her co-star Matt Lapinskas in real life would like to see her alter-ego find true happiness, but admitted it might not happen anytime soon.

"Hopefully she can be happy. I think it will be frustrating for viewers if Whitney makes another mistake," continued the 20-year-old.

"But it won't happen yet, because she thinks Tyler's fooling around with Lucy."

Steve Mcfadden on Letitia's 'brilliant' return

EastEnders star Steve McFadden can't wait for Letitia Dean to step back into Albert Square.

The 52-year-old who plays Phil Mitchell - is excited to be reunited with the actress, who will reprise her role as Phil's former screen lover Sharon Watts on the BBC soap.

"We've a lot of history in the show. When Letitia was here, it was the golden era of EastEnders," he told The People.

"I'm happy about her returning. I reckon they must have some good plots in the pipeline for us.

Letitia is a pretty lady so they'll probably put her behind the bar or give her a central storyline. Now she's coming back, I'm sure it will be brilliant."

Sharon's love triangle with Phil and his brother Grant was one of EastEnders' most memorable storylines in the early 90s, and became known as Sharongate.

While plot details about Sharon's return are being kept under wraps, Letitia has said that she 'cannot wait' to find out what is in store for the character. She will return to screens in the summer

Perry Fenwick: 'Danielle's a cheeky so-and-so'

Perry Fenwick has joked that his EastEnders co-star Danielle Harold is as 'cheeky' as her soap alter ego.

The 49-year-old plays Billy Mitchell, who is kept on his toes by granddaughter Lola Pearce, and he told Inside Soap that the 19-year-old actress teases him off-screen too.

"She can be a cheeky little so-and-so, can Dan," he laughed.

"One of the cameramen was talking to me about my role in Mona Lisa (the 1986 film) the other day, and Danielle piped up, 'Was that in black and white?'"

But Perry said he loves working with Danielle, whose character is currently pregnant.

"The way she's come on since her first day has been amazing," he said. "Danielle reminds me a lot of Lacey (Turner) - she's such a cracking little actress."

The actor also insisted Billy would be up to the challenge of being a great-grandfather when Lola's baby arrives this summer.

"A baby story can go one of about 20 ways, so who knows what'll happen. But Billy will be by Lola's side," he said.

Video: Battle of the exes - Weekly Catch-up

Spoilers for 27 February - 2 March 2012

Monday 27 February 2012

Max and Tanya’s physical relationship is diminishing: will Max be swayed by Roxy’s continuous flirting?

Janine revels in the success of her new club night, leaving Cora unimpressed by the rowdy teenagers
descending on the square.

Lucy continues to toy with Mandy by bribing her - with the help of the Ben - while Ian continues to be oblivious to the situation.


After a conversation with DCI Marsden about Phil’s future, Shirley begins to worry and confronts Ben about his statement - will it help or hinder the situation?

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Lucy recruits Lauren to help catch out Mandy, while Ian sides with his new fiancé. Will new evidence change his mind?

Financial burdens come to breaking point between Carol and Bianca, but there may be good news just around the corner.

Tensions rise between Cora and Janine about her club night, while Michael tries to diffuse the situation any way he can.

Things between Max and Tanya cool drastically, while Roxy and Max continue to play games.

Billy is dismayed by Lola’s unrealistic approach to parenting, and offers her a surprise in return for her attendance of mothering classes.

Thursday 1 March 2012

Michael is increasingly frustrated with Janine, who is ignoring his efforts to plans for the baby - but will it drive him away?

Lucy and Mandy are too busy arguing to realise that it's Ian’s birthday.

Max’s frustration towards Tanya and their physical relationship is revealed in a jealous snipe about how well she is getting on with Jack, Tanya questions whether he wants to be with her any more.

Zainab is distressed at the arrival of a letter about Yusef’s will.

Money problems continue to burden Bianca - will she have to swallow her pride to make ends meet?

Friday 2 March 2012

Janine pushes Michael away and begins to fear that she may be on her own with the baby.

Mandy is shocked when someone from her past turns up on The Square.

As Lucy and Whitney’s rocky relationship comes to a head, the girls realise that they’ve been too preoccupied to notice that something may be wrong with Lauren.

An unexpected friendship comes about between Bianca and Lola, and Billy learns something that gives him hope in Lola’s abilities as a mother

Video: Don't mess with Derek - Weekly Catch Up

Rita Simons: I couldn't let Roxy betray Ronnie

EastEnder actress Rita Simons has said she could never allow her alter ego Roxy Mitchell to betray her sister Ronnie by stealing her husband.

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, Rita said that while Roxy may re-ignite her affair with Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen, she has to first believe that her screen sister has moved on.

"Ronnie has filed for divorce from Jack, so I have to believe that she doesn't love him any more," Rita explained.

"If I didn't think that, I wouldn't be able to play out the storyline.

"It's Jack who persuades Roxy to stay and I'm sure that she has a few feelings of guilt. But if I didn't absolutely believe Ronnie was over Jack, I'd hate my own character."

The pair are also set to become entangled in a bitter custody battle over baby Amy. However Rita added that she thinks they could actually make things work as a family if the circumstances were different.

"I think Jack and Roxy would secretly both like to have a nice little nuclear family," the actress admitted. "I know it sounds weird but Roxy is actually quite fond of Jack.

"They have a lot of history together, and she doesn't hate him - I think she pities him more than anything.

"Maybe if their feuding families could stay out of their lives, they might stand a good chance!"

Spoilers for 20-24 February 2012

Monday 20 February 2012

Whitney is still feeling guilty about Fat Boy and takes matters in to her own hands to put things right.
Derek is still meddling in Jack’s family life, but when an idea springs to mind will he get what he needs to make it work?

Amira is made to do an honest days work manning their new stall on the Square, but it’s how she repays her teacher that sets tongues wagging in Walford

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Derek’s frustrations with the Mitchell family reaches boiling point, but when he puts his sinister plan into action, what will Jack think about his brother’s plans?

Roxy has grand designs to take on Derek Branning. When she intercepts a message on his mobile phone, her plan to cut out the middle man springs into action.

Cora and Dot turn detective to find out who is writing Rose love letters, but are shocked to find out who’s been sending Rose sweet nothings in the post.

Thursday 23 February 2012

Roxy is pleased with herself when she’s able to pull off her plan: but when she receives a stranger at her front door, has she really been able to outsmart Derek Branning?

Anthony and Tyler are still at each other’s throats, but can their blossoming relationships bring them back together again?

Abi is nervous about getting her HPV consent form signed by her parents, but when Lola forges Max’s signature, will this be enough to fool the nurses?

Friday 24 February 2012

It’s a difficult day for Jack. Shirley sets him off on a wild goose chase - and how will he react when Max blows one of Derek’s stories out of the water?

Tanya and Max spend some much needed alone time together, but when things between them begin to heat up, Tanya realises that things are not quite as well as they seem.

Heather fears for the worst when Andrew accidentally sees her in her wedding dress. The caterer and the cake-maker both suddenly drop out - is her wedding doomed because of superstition?

Nick Cotton favourite to return

Nick Cotton is bookies' favourite to be the next character to return to EastEnders.

Since it was announced on Thursday that Letitia Dean would be reprising her role as Sharon Watts in the BBC1 soap,

Nasty Nick has been given odds of 2/1 from bookmakers Paddy Power to return to Walford.

Dot's son Nick played by John Altman has been a recurring character since the soap's very first episode in February 1985.

He was last seen fleeing Walford in 2009 after surviving an explosion at the cafe, following a plot to poison his long-suffering mother.

Second favourites to return to the soap are Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy, and Sam Mitchell, played by Danniella Westbrook, who are both set at 5/1.

'Little Mo' Mitchell, played by Kacey Ainsworth, is at 10/1 and Ronnie Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack, has odds of 12/1.

Michelle Ryan is 16/1 to return as Zoe Slater, while long-gone Lofty Holloway, played by Tom Watt, is an outsider at 40/1.

Michael French recently returned to the soap for a brief stint as David Wicks for the exit storyline of Pam St Clement - Walford matriarch Pat Evans.

Nick Berry - who played his brother Simon Wicks from 1985 to 1990 - made a surprise appearance at Pat's graveside, after her funeral.

Letitia Dean returning to EastEnders

Original EastEnder Sharon Watts is to make a return to Albert Square after an absence of six years.

Actress Letitia Dean, will head back to Walford later this year, her third major stint on the series.

Details of the circumstances of her return are being kept under wraps.

The last time viewers saw her was in early 2006 after she had been left a widow following the death of husband Dennis Rickman.

Letitia said: "I am really looking forward to being part of the EastEnders team again, as it has always been very close to my heart. I cannot wait to work with my old colleagues and see what is in store for Sharon."

Former Queen Vic landlady Sharon has been one of the show's key characters and her affair with brother-in-law Phil Mitchell led to one of the show's highest rating episodes. It also prompted her departure from the series in 1994.

Sharon returned in 2001, to take over at the Vic, which had formerly been run by her adoptive parents, Angie and Den Watts.

She stayed until 2004 and then returned again the following year, only to bow out once more in January 2006, following the stabbing of Dennis who died in her arms.

Letitia went on to compete in BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, as well as tour in the stage production of Calendar Girls.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "I'm thrilled that Letitia is coming back home to Albert Square where she belongs.

"Sharon is a real favourite amongst EastEnders' fans and I for one can't wait until she arrives back in the summer."

EastEnders Steve thinks Michael will be a bad dad

EastEnders star Steve John Shepherd has said he pities Michael and Janine's baby as he doesn't think his character will be a good father.

The soap star plays bad boy Michael Moon, who is dating EastEnders villain Janine Butcher, and told Inside Soap they will not make stable parents.

Steve said: "I pity Michael and Janine's baby!

"How would I rate his skills as a father? Quite low. Imagine Michael changing a nappy! But he sees this as a chance to redeem himself."

Though the news of the baby seems to have been good for Janine and Michael's relationship, Steve revealed this won't last.

He said: "The relationship is going to get very fraught and rocky - mountainous, actually.

"I gather that Janine has made a habit of killing off her husbands, so Michael will have to keep one eye open where she's concerned!"

And Steve admitted playing a villain has made him unpopular with viewers.

He revealed: "One woman screamed at me. And there was a little girl who hid behind her mum and wouldn't speak! It was quite upsetting, but the flip-side is that they clearly believe in the drama."

Danielle Harold: 'No one saw me on Jamie's show'

Danielle Harold has admitted she was concerned about how her new EastEnders co-stars might view her after her stint on Jamie's Dream School.

Before the young actress landed the role of Lola Pearce on the BBC1 show she appeared on Jamie Oliver's fly-on-the-wall documentary about teenage tearaways struggling with the education system.

Danielle said of her colleagues on the soap: "I don't think much of them watched (Jamie's Dream School) which was probably a good thing.

They asked me what I'd done before and I was like, 'Jamie's Dream School, did you see that?' But it's been great, I've had a great year."

The star admitted she still can't get over her luck at being part of the show - and insisted she's nothing like her feisty character, who's currently embroiled in a pregnancy storyline.

"That's what makes it such fun to play, she's so different from me. It's really fun just to not care about anything," she added.

"I get recognised a lot too. You never expect to, but it happens in the weirdest places, in Sainsbury's when I'm food shopping. I still can't believe my luck now, it's just really strange, really surreal."

Cheryl Fergison reveals Downton Abbey ambitions

EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed she would love to win a role in Downton Abbey now that she is leaving Albert Square.

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine the actress - who has played Heather Trott for almost five years - thinks her CV makes her an ideal candidate for ITV1's hit costume drama.

"I'd really love to be in Downton Abbey," Cheryl said.

"Before I got EastEnders I used to do lots of 'under stairs' roles, but perhaps I could go upstairs this time and prance around a bit. I'd love to do all that."


Heather is tipped to have a dramatic exit from EastEnders following reports that she will be murdered by Ben Mitchell - and while Cheryl told the magazine she has loved her time on the show she is looking forward to the future.

"I've watched EastEnders since the day it started when I was a student in Manchester," she said."I've loved being here and every minute of playing Heather."

"But now I can do anything I want, so it's really exciting. If I could have a wish list I'd love to go to Morocco and do documentaries with my husband, Yassine."