EastEnders’ Bianca Jackson icon Patsy Palmer has revealed why – despite a large number of recent guest returns – she won’t be back in Albert Square permanently.
Patsy has been at the centre of a number of huge stories over the last year, including Shona McGarty’s Whitney Dean exit and Bianca being held hostage by wicked Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).
She’s also set to play a huge part in the upcoming 40th anniversary episodes, when she comes face to face with the killer once again.
There’s also the matter of on-screen sister Natalie Cassidy’s exit after 32 years, meaning that there’s still more to come from the Walford legend.
Despite being such a popular character with viewers, Patsy is reluctant to make a full-time comeback.
This is, in large, because she is now based in Los Angeles.
But there is a deeper, more personal reason, which she explained: ‘I can’t be there for too long because life goes too fast there’ she said.
‘It scares me. I don’t want my life to go so fast.
‘I love my life. I’m past the half way mark, like way past it, and I certainly don’t want it to go so fast.’
She continued to The Sun: ‘We really know what we’re doing.
‘It’s about getting it right and not wasting anyone’s time. I want to enjoy it because it’s not often we get that sort of energy.’
Patsy is gearing up to take part in next week’s live episode, which will be transmitted from the soap’s Hertfordshire production base on Thursday.
‘I could do the live now – we’ve only rehearsed it once. We’re going to get that feeling, that buzz, that adrenaline’ she added.
‘Even if I’d had the live episode two weeks ago I would not have been able to read it.
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
‘We’ve got a lot of stuff to do coming up to the live (episode) like getting asked to do things – got to do this, that, and the other and promotion.
‘Got a lot of parties coming up. The 40th anniversary party, Nat’s leaving party.’
‘I’m actually really excited about it, and I’m not going to be naughty!
Patsy joked: ‘I keep thinking “What can I do – throw little bits in here like when you’re in a play?” But I’m not going to do it.’
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