EastEnders Bianca Jackson star Patsy Palmer's private life and famous family


EastEnders' beloved character Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer, is making a 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 in 1993 and quickly won over fans.

Bianca, known for her bold fashion choices including an unforgettable silver puffer jacket, is a brash mother who is fiercely loyal and has 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 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 leaves the Vic in a hurry. 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.

Julie Anne Harris, known to many as the 52-year-old actress Patsy Palmer, first rose to fame when she secured 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' cry has made her one of the most cherished characters in the history of the show.

She initially appeared on the Square from 1993 to 1999 before making a comeback in 2008 until 2014. Five years later, Bianca returned once again for Whitney's doomed wedding to Callum Highway (Tony Clay).

This week, viewers will see Patsy reprise her role as Bianca, who is out for revenge.

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, having founded 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 seems to be a family trait for the Palmers, with Patsy's son, Charley Palmer Rothwell, making his mark in the television industry. The 32-year-old actor played Matthew Brannon in ITV's drama The Tower's second season last year and recently appeared as Cousin Mark in the series Big Boys.

Charley has had a busy year, featuring in films such as Midas Man and Stable, and TV series like A Gentleman in Moscow and Industry.

Hailing from Bethnal Green, Charley boasts an impressive portfolio of TV shows and films. In 2015, he shared the screen with Tom Hardy in Legend, playing Leslie Holt, and in 2017, he appeared in Dunkirk alongside Harry Styles and Cillian Murphy.

His other notable roles include Darkest Hour, Ripper Street, My Name is Lenny, Our Girl, Casualty, and more.

Interestingly, Patsy shares a real-life bond with her on-screen mother Carol Jackson, played 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 portrayed as a hardworking character who would do anything for her family.

Just 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 father being David Wicks (played by Michael French) is a memorable storyline, with the character set to return to EastEnders soon.

In real life, Lindsey, who hails from Edmonton in London, is wedded 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 has continued 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 blissfully married since their 2002 nuptials.