EastEnders Bianca icon Patsy Palmer's life off-screen – co-star family to secret job
EastEnders legend Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer, is making a triumphant return to our screens 31 years after her initial debut on the BBC soap. The fiery character first made her mark in Walford with the Jackson family back in 1993 and quickly won over viewers.
Bianca, known for her bold fashion choices including an unforgettable silver puffer jacket, is a brash yet fiercely loyal mother with a heart of gold. She was last seen in Walford earlier this year as part of Whitney Dean's (Shona McGarty) exit storyline but now she's back to confront Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).
As regular viewers of the BBC One soap will be aware, Bianca's younger sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) is currently being held in prison on remand, accused of murdering Reiss' comatose wife Debbie Colwell (Jenny Meier). However, it was actually Reiss who committed the heinous crime and pregnant Sonia is being framed.
Bianca has previously voiced her concerns about Reiss, and in upcoming scenes, she returns to the Square, abruptly ending Debbie's wake as she demands answers about Debbie's fate and why Sonia is behind bars.
A guilt-ridden Reiss flees from the Vic. Back at home, Bianca accuses Reiss of murdering Debbie and it appears he's on the verge of confessing, reports the Mirror.
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Will Bianca manage to extract the truth from the killer accountant? As Patsy Palmer steps back into the role of Bianca, let's take a look at her life outside of the limelight.
Born Julie Anne Harris in Bethnal Green, London, the 52 year old actress rose to prominence when she bagged the role of Natasha on BBC's Grange Hill between 1985 and 1987. This stint on the children's TV series paved the way for her iconic role in EastEnders.
Bianca, her character in EastEnders, is a household name, largely due to her tumultuous relationship with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen). Her unforgettable 'Ricckaaayyyyyy' yell made her one of the most cherished characters in the history of the show.
She first appeared on the Square from 1993 to 1999 before making a comeback in 2008 until 2014. Five years later, Bianca made another much-anticipated return for Whitney's doomed wedding to Callum Highway (Tony Clay).
This week, Patsy will reprise her role as Bianca who is on a mission.
Life in Malibu
Acting isn't Patsy's only forte - she also moonlights as a DJ. In 2020, she delighted EastEnders fans when she was revealed as The Butterfly on ITV's The Masked Singer UK, and she also took part in last year's series of Dancing on Ice.
Away from the limelight, Patsy is an entrepreneur, founding Good and Proper Hair, a hair product company. In 2014, Patsy moved to Malibu with her husband Richard and their children, where she has been living her American dream in a stunning home.
Patsy frequently posts on Instagram, offering glimpses of her spacious Malibu home, which offers ample space for her children and boasts breathtaking views.
Patsy's famous family
Acting prowess clearly runs in the family for Patsy Palmer, as her son Charley Palmer Rothwell is also making waves on the small screen. The 32-year-old East End lad has an impressive list of TV shows and films to his name, including a role alongside Tom Hardy in Legend and a part in the war epic Dunkirk.
This year alone, he's starred in Midas Man and Stable, as well as the series A Gentleman in Moscow and Industry.
Charley's other notable roles include Darkest Hour, Ripper Street, My Name is Lenny, Our Girl, Casualty, among others.
Patsy shares a real-life connection with her on-screen mum Carol Jackson, portrayed by Lindsey Coulson. Carol, also the mother of Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy) and elder sister to Max (Jake Wood) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), is a hardworking character who would do anything for her family.
Like her daughter Bianca, Carol has made several exits and returns to Walford, last seen in 2015. In one shocking storyline, Carol discovered her boyfriend Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass) was having an affair with her daughter Bianca.
The revelation of Bianca's dad being David Wicks (played by Michael French) is another memorable storyline, with the character set to return to EastEnders soon.
In real life, Lindsey, a native of Edmonton in London, is married to Patsy's actual brother, Harry Harris, making the actresses sisters-in-law off-screen.
It's reported that Harry works as a psychotherapist, while Lindsey continues her acting career with notable roles in TV series such as Bulletproof, The Bay, The Level and The Diplomat. The couple are believed to have been happily wed since their 2002 nuptials.