285-460: The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2015, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the show's executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins . January saw the arrival of the year's first baby, Matthew Mitchell Cotton , son of Ronnie Mitchell ( Samantha Womack ) and Charlie Cotton ( Declan Bennett ). The following month saw
570-488: A balcony after a struggle with Gavin. Harvey's casting was announced at the same time as that of June Whitfield in the role of Sister Ruth , on 5 March 2015. Harvey said of her initial filming, "I loved working on such an iconic show. Everyone was so welcoming. EastEnders is really like one big family." Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said, "We are extremely privileged to have two British television legends joining us for guest roles as Albert Square heads into
855-411: A blow to the head, that Ollie could have brain damage, and that children's services must be informed. Mick blames Nancy, which causes tension in the family. Eventually, Mick realises Nancy is sorry and that she is not to blame and the family reconcile. Mick and Linda worry that Ollie does not respond in the way they expect and are frustrated by the lack of treatment as they have to wait to see the extent of
1140-621: A brief visit, she recognises Claudette and Vincent, and later tells Ronnie that Eric did not kill Henry because he was drunk that night and did not leave the house. Ronnie then blackmails Claudette with the information, so Claudette tells Vincent to end the feud as it cannot bring back Henry or Fatboy. Claudette and Patrick flirt with each other and eventually begin dating; however it is hampered by Denise's disapproval. Claudette and Kim's rivalry intensifies at Pearl's first birthday party, and when Claudette's foster son Linford Short ( Leon Lopez ) announces that he and Vincent have entered Claudette into
1425-535: A car accident. She makes an enemy in Carl White ( Daniel Coonan ), when he attempts to muscle in on the businesses. When Roxy returns to the Square, she and Ronnie make peace but Ronnie becomes suspicious about Alfie's feelings for Kat. She is proved right when he leaves Roxy just after their wedding ceremony. Roxy then starts dating Carl and when Ronnie fails to pull her back together, she convinces Phil to sell The Queen Vic,
1710-693: A censorship apparatus for the inevitability of war. Due to the BBC's advancements in shortwave radio technology, the corporation could broadcast across the world during the Second World War. Within Europe, the BBC European Service would gather intelligence and information regarding the current events of the war in English. Regional BBC workers, based on their regional geo-political climate, would then further censor
1995-400: A certain extent, but it's meant to be high drama for entertainment purposes. I mean, how many murders can you have in one square? There's a nod to real life but, for the most part, soaps help take people out of the real world." On 6 January 2011, it was reported that Womack had quit her role in the series due to her unhappiness with the baby swap storyline. Her departure was later confirmed by
2280-455: A charitable donation to the convent. Judith arrives in Walford and finds Kat, telling her that Ruth could not come as she is unwell. Kat sees Ruth arrive later, so invites her into her house, and Ruth tells her the full truth about what happened at the convent. She reveals that Kat passed out before giving birth to the boy, and that her mother Viv Slater ordered that he be taken away from her, so he
2565-405: A cheque of £5,000 to help look after Hannah and her sisters, but Hannah tears it up. Jack later returns after Honey persuades him to but leaves again after Ronnie tells him they would not be together again. Tim also returns and tries to kiss Ronnie. She decides she still loves Jack, but believing he is getting married, she decides to stop the wedding but when she gets there, Jack is simply a guest at
2850-484: A child called Jack Tilley until 2016, after which he is portrayed by a child called Charlie Harrington. Since 2017, Harry Farr has played Ollie. Of the character's paternity, Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap commented "We knew, even at first sight, that EastEnders ' adorable ickle new Carter couldn't have sprung from anyone as vile as Dean." Linda falls pregnant with Ollie shortly after being raped by Mick's brother Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ). Concerned about
3135-423: A conversation between him and his sister, Carol Jackson ( Lindsey Coulson ). Karin returns to tell Max that the police have begun seizing the cars and that some have drugs in them. She tells Max to dump the cars and then takes his clothes to stop the police tracing his involvement. Phil agrees to help Max on the condition he sign over all of his businesses to Phil. After Max does so, Phil and Karin tell Max they made
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#17328867269433420-533: A custodial sentence. She is sentenced to three years and as she is being taken away, Kat tells her that she forgives her. Ronnie then says goodbye to Roxy, telling her that she was the one looking after her for the last few years. Ronnie sits alone in her cell, holding Danielle's locket, having finally found peace. Jack tries to visit Ronnie but she refuses to see him and in December 2011, she files for divorce. In September 2013, Roxy, Jack and Kat are notified that Ronnie
3705-521: A daughter that she abandoned seven years ago. Carmel is understanding and offers her support to Shabnam but this just angers Shabnam as it wasn't his place to tell anyone. Carmel visits frequently and Shabnam dislikes her interference with planning the wedding. She is delighted when Shabnam and Kush announce they are expecting. Carmel visits unannounced, distraught that Kush's father is selling her house and Shabnam begrudgingly allows her to stay with them but catches her in bed with Masood. After Kush learns that
3990-490: A death threat against Ronnie, and told her that Amy had died 13 years previously. He believes Archie's relationship with Ronnie suffered when he realised that he could not control her. In the EastEnders Revealed documentary "The Secret Mitchell", an EastEnders storyliner suggested that Archie views Ronnie as damaged goods, and is somewhat disgusted by her. Santer stated that Archie told Ronnie her daughter had died as
4275-473: A few feathers." Womack filmed her first scenes in summer 2013 and returned on screen from 9 September 2013 for two three-month-long stints. She returned to filming full-time on 24 July 2014 and returned to screens on 25 September 2014. On 13 August 2016, it was reported that new producer Sean O'Connor had offered Womack a "dramatic ending" to Ronnie's storylines and that Womack had accepted. Her departure scenes were broadcast on 1 January 2017. Following
4560-519: A few twisted secrets hidden behind her beaming smile." David Brown from the Radio Times added that Claudette had links to established regular characters and would be "a tough-talking resident of Albert Square". Thomas revealed that Claudette's family would be introduced to the square, saying: "Claudette is a foster mother, she's fostered children for the last 30 years. She's fostered the kind of children nobody else wants – tough cookies." She stated that it
4845-508: A file he found in Vincent's safe, revealing he is working to take down the Mitchells. Vincent tries to blackmail her into framing Phil for drug trafficking, using a confession of her admitting to killing Carl. Phil, who has returned to drinking, disowns Ronnie, but she still protects him when Vincent plants a gun on him and calls the police. After, Ronnie destroys the copies of her confession and keeps
5130-601: A full-time employee. Shortly after having sex with Max, Carmel finds an engagement ring while tidying up the house and mistakenly believes Max wants to propose to her, when in fact it is intended for his secret girlfriend Fi Browning ( Lisa Faulkner ). The following day Carmel still believes Max is going to propose to her and prepares to celebrate with him at The Queen Vic. However, when he walks into The Queen Vic, he deliberately ignores her and kisses Fi, humiliating Carmel in front of everyone and finally revealing his scheme. Realising she has been used, Carmel upsettingly storms out of
5415-459: A further appearance on 5 January, in the wedding video which Jack watches. She was also credited in another episode on 19 January 2017, making her last appearance as a corpse when Jack says goodbye to her. Following their introductory episode in July 2007, both Mitchell sisters were received favourably by Mark Wright of The Stage . He commented that they established themselves quickly, deeming them "in
5700-517: A good father Jack is and Charlie informs Jack he has notified social services about applying for residency. Stacey Fowler ( Lacey Turner ) tells Jack he has to work things out with Charlie. Charlie's wife, Liz Cotton (Michelle Connolly) arrives in Albert Square in place of Charlie and tells Jack about her job and family, trying to assure him that Matthew would have a good life and that Amy and Ricky would be welcome to visit. Jack phones Liz to arrange
5985-419: A handful, and she's definitely gonna stir things up around here. But remember, wherever Roxy Mitchell is... I'm right behind." The promotion was received favourably by Leigh Holmwood, television journalist for The Guardian , who referred to it as "a very slick marketing campaign indeed." Holmwood observed that the upbeat trailers contrasted EastEnders ' reputation for depressing storylines, writing "Maybe
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#17328867269436270-533: A homophobic attack and she learns that Babe Smith ( Annette Badland ) has been blackmailing them over Les' cross-dressing Claudette threatens Babe, and their argument is witnessed by Babe's relative Linda Carter ( Kellie Bright ). When Babe is locked in The Queen Victoria public house 's freezer store, Linda accuses Claudette, but Patrick states she was with him, revealing their relationship to Vincent and Donna. However, when Patrick states that Claudette left
6555-442: A hotel swimming pool. In August 2016, it was reported that Ronnie and Roxy would depart together in a "dramatic exit". The sisters were killed-off on 1 January 2017 after Ronnie's second wedding to Jack, although Ronnie appears on-screen for a final time when Jack visits her corpse on 19 January 2017. A younger version of Ronnie, (played by Lucia De Wan), appeared in a flashback episode broadcast on 5 September 2022, which focuses on
6840-461: A larger brand: in 2003, BBC Choice was replaced by BBC Three , with programming for younger adults and shocking real-life documentaries, BBC News 24 became the BBC News Channel in 2008, and BBC Radio 7 became BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011, with new programmes to supplement those broadcast on Radio 4. In 2008, another channel was launched, BBC Alba , a Scottish Gaelic service. During this decade,
7125-542: A mother who has suddenly and tragically lost a baby through cot death would react by stealing another baby to replace that loss". Kym Marsh supported Ofcom's decision to clear the storyline. Marsh wrote in her magazine section: "Last week, EastEnders was cleared of wrongdoing by Ofcom, the media regulator, over its baby swap storyline, and I think that's the right decision. It's just a storyline, like any other. I understand why people got upset about it, but no-one meant to upset anybody. Soaps are supposed to portray real life to
7410-415: A natural end later this year and she will be taking a break from the show; this has been agreed with the producers for several months. Sam has had an incredibly happy and fulfilling time on EastEnders over the last few years. She has huge respect for the show, writers and producers and has thoroughly enjoyed playing such a complex role that has been involved in so many tough and challenging storylines." It
7695-599: A news and information service. In 1978, BBC staff went on strike just before the Christmas, thus blocking out the transmission of both channels and amalgamating all four radio stations into one. Since the deregulation of the UK television and radio market in the 1980s, the BBC has faced increased competition from the commercial sector (and from the advertiser-funded public service broadcaster Channel 4 ), especially on satellite television, cable television, and digital television services. In
7980-489: A number of additional channels and radio stations have been launched: Radio 5 was launched in 1990, as a sports and educational station, but was replaced in 1994, with BBC Radio 5 Live to become a live radio station, following the success of the Radio 4 service to cover the 1991 Gulf War . The new station would be a news and sport station. In 1997, BBC News 24 , a rolling news channel, launched on digital television services, and
8265-515: A pregnant Stacey Branning ( Lacey Turner ) whispering and, after talking to Stacey, she realizes that Kush could be the baby's father. She confronts them but they persuade her not to tell Shabnam or Martin Fowler ( James Bye ), insisting it is not the right time. Carmel agrees, but warns Stacey that Kush may want access to the baby if it is his. Carmel returns to the square in the spring, saying that her former husband, Umar Kazemi ( Selva Rasalingam ),
8550-458: A proper father to Pearl. Kim and Vincent enter her in a baby contest, which she wins after Vincent pays the competition manager. As Vincent's feud with Phil Mitchell ( Steve McFadden ) escalates in December 2015, Phil kidnaps Pearl while she is being looked after by Vincent's foster sister Donna Yates ( Lisa Hammond ), but is safely being looked after by Honey Mitchell ( Emma Barton ). Gary Gillatt from Inside Soap observed that Pearl's name
8835-681: A proposal to cut 4,000 jobs, and to privatise parts of the BBC, disrupted much of the BBC's regular programming. In 2006, BBC HD launched as an experimental service and became official in December 2007. The channel broadcast HD simulcasts of programmes on BBC One , BBC Two , BBC Three and BBC Four as well as repeats of some older programmes in HD. In 2010, an HD simulcast of BBC One launched: BBC One HD . The channel uses HD versions of BBC One's schedule and uses upscaled versions of programmes not currently produced in HD. The BBC HD channel closed in March 2013 and
List of EastEnders characters introduced in 2015 - Misplaced Pages Continue
9120-1072: A secret relationship with Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ), and Ronnie is furious when she finds out, as Dean raped Linda Carter ( Kellie Bright ). Dean finds Ronnie's hidden cameras, and Roxy moves out, feeling violated. Ronnie kisses and sleeps with Vincent again, despite them both being married. Ronnie admits she doesn't love Charlie, and ends their marriage. Charlie and Roxy come up with a plan to flee to France with Matthew, but Roxy secretly tells Ronnie and they plan to double cross Charlie and get him arrested. However, events backfire and Ronnie nearly loses Matthew, though Charlie returns to Walford soon after. Ronnie asks Vincent to help her get rid of Charlie, and he disappears, with Roxy finding his discarded wallet. She later asks Honey Mitchell ( Emma Barton ) to move in with her. When Dean becomes increasingly controlling over Roxy, Ronnie asks Linda's help to get rid of him. Linda turns her away, but her fiancé, Dean's brother Mick Carter ( Danny Dyer ), later visits Ronnie and agrees to help her. However, he cannot go through with
9405-539: A series of strikes; however, the BBC stated that the cuts were essential to move the organisation forward and concentrate on increasing the quality of programming. On 20 October 2010, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced that the television licence fee would be frozen at its current level until the end of the current charter in 2016. The same announcement revealed that the BBC would take on
9690-619: A son, Ricky . She learns that Jack is Richard's father, following a brief relationship. When Sam feels unable to cope with parenthood, they agree that Richard will live with Jack and Ronnie but, having given a child up for adoption, Ronnie can see that Sam is having doubts. Consequently, Ronnie gives her money so she and Richard can leave Walford together. She and Jack marry and prepare for the birth of their child. Ronnie bonds with Kat Moon ( Jessie Wallace ) over being abused as children and have given their first child up for adoption. When Ronnie learns that Stacey killed Archie, she allows her to leave
9975-541: A touch inappropriate, Carmel has an air of Peggy Mitchell about her – but not half as irritating! More please EastEnders !" It was announced in August 2015 that Langford had signed a one-year contract with the show and that Carmel would become a regular character. Langford revealed her delight at this news. Laura-Jayne Tyler of Inside Soap was pleased with the news Carmel would be a regular character, "The shiny new plaque on Bonnie Langford's dressing room door suggest that Carmel
10260-426: A visit and agree rules for Matthew, letting Charlie have residency. Jack and Dot are heartbroken when Matthew leaves with Charlie and Liz. Charlie and Matthew return in December 2017 and Charlie explains to Jack the reason for their return is that Matthew refers to Jack as "dad". Charlie also tells Jack that he just wanted contact and that having Matthew full-time was not part of the "plan", so Jack demands to know what
10545-452: A way of controlling her. In a plot twist, it was revealed to viewers that Archie had lied, and that Amy was alive. She was introduced to the series under her adopted name, Danielle Jones, in August 2008. Danielle arrived in Walford seeking Ronnie, but kept her true identity a secret through fear of rejection. Series writer Simon Ashdown described her as "hurt and broken by her life", and hoping to charm Ronnie into liking her before revealing
10830-508: A week later at the park, with Claudette later arriving for her foster daughter Donna Yates ' ( Lisa Hammond ) birthday celebrations as arranged by Pam. It is revealed that she knows Les and Pam from when the latter worked as a social worker and placed Donna in Claudette's care. Weeks later, it is revealed that both Claudette and Les are in Gran Canaria on business. Donna ironically suggests that
11115-515: A wig, give me a new pair of shoes and it's a new character! –Ellen Thomas discussing her experience of playing various characters in EastEnders Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap admitted to being a little scared by "steely" Claudette and said she made Vincent "look like a pussycat." Tyler also hoped that Claudette would turn out to be a big crime boss. Richard Blackwood , who played Claudette's on-screen son Vincent, described
11400-510: Is "a treat for viewers". Margaret Midhurst , played by Jan Harvey , appears in nine episodes between 24 March 2015 and 8 July 2016. Margaret is the solicitor who handled Sharon Mitchell 's ( Letitia Dean ) adoption. Sharon visits Margaret in a bid to find her biological father. Margaret tells Sharon that all the paperwork in connection with her case had been destroyed. She later visits Sharon at home after Sharon calls her, and asks Margaret if her adoptive father, Den Watts ( Leslie Grantham ),
11685-536: Is Tommy's birth father and tries to sabotage his relationships with Roxy and Jack so he will leave Walford but Michael convinces Jack that Ronnie is obsessed with him. Unable to explain her actions, Ronnie agrees that she needs professional help and visits a counsellor but leaves before the session and lies to Jack about it. Glenda realises that Ronnie is not attending counselling but is forced to leave Walford. Ronnie briefly goes missing, and after Jack brings her home, her behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. After visiting
List of EastEnders characters introduced in 2015 - Misplaced Pages Continue
11970-583: Is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London , England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company , it evolved into its current state with its current name on New Year's Day 1927. The oldest and largest local and global broadcaster by stature and by number of employees, the BBC employs over 21,000 staff in total, of whom approximately 17,200 are in public-sector broadcasting. The BBC
12255-405: Is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders , played by Samantha Womack . She and her younger sister Roxy Mitchell (played by Rita Simons ) were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer in July 2007. Ronnie is described as the "ice" to Roxy's "fire". As an extension to the already established Mitchell family, Ronnie quickly became a prominent character, taking over
12540-457: Is acquitted. Ronnie and Jack decide to move to Ongar , Essex, to Roxy's displeasure, as Amy would be moving with them. However, Ronnie then suggests that Roxy move to a nearby house in the same town. Roxy suspects that Jack and Honey are having an affair, and tells Ronnie, who confronts Jack. He denies this, and later, Roxy decides Amy should move without her and then asks Ronnie to adopt Amy. After an emotional discussion, Ronnie agrees, but later,
12825-492: Is acting strangely, but Sharon dismisses it and sends Margaret away. Later, Margaret arrives at Gavin's house, where he has brought his wife, Kathy ( Gillian Taylforth ) under false pretenses. Gavin locks Kathy in a room while Margaret questions Gavin's motives as Kathy now knows where he lives and she fears she will also be implicated in Gavin's crimes, however, Gavin tells her that Kathy will not be leaving. Margaret rescues Kathy from
13110-461: Is always going to be sad to watch and it will upset people. But at the end of the day, it's a drama and it's not real. I think it got blown out of all proportion. Unfortunately, things like that do happen in real life. Babies get swapped and snatched in hospitals. I'm sure that any parent who has lost a child will find even talking about their experience very difficult, let alone watching it being acted out on television. Even my daughter got upset but she
13395-423: Is arrested and charged with assault. Dot attempts to mediate between Charlie and Jack, but they fail to come up with any solution and Jack plans to go on the run with Amy, Ricky and Matthew, but Dot tells Max and they talk him out of it. Charlie watches Honey Mitchell ( Emma Barton ) in the park with Amy, Ricky, Matthew and her children, Janet (Grace) and Will Mitchell (Freddie Phillips). Honey tells Charlie what
13680-422: Is arrested for attempted rape, they give full custody to Shabnam and she and Jade leave together for a fresh start on 5 February 2016. In 2017, Jade's uncle Mick Carter ( Danny Dyer ) sends her an invitation for his wife Linda Carter 's ( Kellie Bright ) 40th birthday, but Shirley tells him that Jade and Shabnam cannot make it due to flight conflicts. BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC )
13965-457: Is aware of their meetings. Meanwhile, at home, Paul tells Pam about the affair. Claudette later realises that Pam knows while seeing her freak out at her face with her and Les in the newspaper photo. She makes plans to have dinner with Les, declining Pam's invitation to dinner on the way there. When Pam notes how Claudette used exactly the same words as Les did, Claudette sends Les home. He accidentally leaves his tie at her house. Claudette, who knows
14250-466: Is based on controversy and sensationalism because bosses are trying to get high ratings and they can't write things like 'Ronnie had a cup of tea'. Otherwise people wouldn't watch it." On 1 August 2011, Ofcom cleared the storyline. The baby swap storyline prompted a huge 1,044 complaints reported to Ofcom. Ofcom also added that many of the complaints were made because the storyline was presented "in an offensive manner" because it "appeared to suggest that
14535-626: Is being released from prison. Roxy wants to meet her, but Tommy's stepfather Alfie Moon ( Shane Richie ) - who Roxy is now engaged to - protests. Kat goes instead and brings Ronnie back to Albert Square. Alfie insists Ronnie keep her distance, when he finds the sisters reminiscing with Tommy, nearby. As a result, Roxy cuts ties with Ronnie and spends time healing things with Alfie, away from the Square. During this time, Ronnie reconciles with Jack, but when it comes to going public, Jack cannot do it and decides to leave Walford. Ronnie's cousin, Phil, puts Ronnie in charge of his businesses, while he recovers from
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#173288672694314820-428: Is charged with the murder of Lucy Beale ( Hetti Bywater ) (see Who Killed Lucy Beale? ). Before Margaret goes to the prison to meet Max, Sharon informs her she has decided not to find her father, insisting that she needs to move on from her past. When Carol starts to believe Max is guilty, she relieves Margaret of her duties. Sharon offers to pay her for her services and Margaret reveals that she will inform Max that she
15105-470: Is concerned when Roxy returns, having been beaten up. Ronnie gives Roxy cash to pay off a debt, but Roxy leaves. Andy is then seen looking at newspaper stories about Ronnie that he has collected. Andy is exposed as the stalker but also revealed as Danielle's adoptive brother, Gareth Jones; Ronnie and he make amends after a heart to heart. He remorsefully leaves Walford. Ronnie and Jack get engaged. Ronnie supports Roxy through Dean's trial, comforting her when he
15390-474: Is defined by her childhood trauma. The sisters have been compared to the Kray twins , Ronnie and Reggie. Treadwell-Collins initially intended for Ronnie to appear enigmatic, cool and guarded, hoping to intrigue viewers before introducing elements of her backstory to garner audience sympathy. Both Mitchell sisters featured heavily in a BBC marketing campaign preceding their arrival. Several promotional trailers aired on
15675-478: Is devastated, and is later seen clutching a locket containing a photograph of Ronnie, revealing herself to be Ronnie's daughter. It transpires that Danielle is the result of a teenage romance between Ronnie and her first boyfriend, Joel Reynolds ( Cavan Clerkin ). Archie disapproved of the pregnancy and put Danielle—named Amy by Ronnie—up for adoption. Danielle was adopted by Lizzie and Andy Jones ( Aneirin Hughes ), and
15960-518: Is dropping the case and that he needs to find another lawyer to represent him. when Sharon visits Margaret to file for divorce from Phil, it is clear that Margaret is covering for someone when the police arrive at her offices. It later emerges that Margaret is Gavin Sullivan 's ( Paul Nicholas ) sister, and Gavin is Sharon's birth father, making Margaret Sharon's aunt, and Gavin asked Margaret to make sure Sharon did not find out, after she told him that Sharon
16245-558: Is five months pregnant with Charlie's baby. She moves back in with Roxy. Dot, disappointed about the idea of her great-grandchild being born out of wedlock, persuades Charlie to propose to Ronnie. She admits that she has killed a man and, in return, he admits that he is not a police officer and has been lying to Dot about Nick Cotton 's ( John Altman ) death. Nick returns to Walford and reveals himself to Dot. Ronnie tells Charlie that she wants him gone. She threatens Nick, saying that he doesn't know what she's capable of. She asks Phil to give her
16530-401: Is going to kill Dean. He warns Mick, and eventually Dean's parents Buster Briggs ( Karl Howman ) and Shirley, who arrive after Ronnie has given him a drink full of crushed up drugs. She reveals it was only a plan to scare him, but it is enough to make Roxy confess to Dean that Ronnie is a murderer, so he convinces Roxy to go to the police. Ronnie is seemingly arrested during a family dinner with
16815-499: Is going to take Matthew back to Ireland and Charlie and Jack argue about it, with Jack later telling Charlie that he swore on Ronnie's grave to never leave Amy, Ricky and Matthew. When Charlie provokes Jack by saying Ronnie deserved to die, Jack punches him and Max tells Jack he may have lost his chances of keeping Matthew. Max learns that Jack still may get to keep Matthew despite the fight with Jack, so Max visits Charlie and beats him up to make it look like Jack did it. In April 2017, Jack
17100-513: Is her daughter and her subsequent death. In 2020, Sara Wallis and Ian Hyland from The Daily Mirror placed Ronnie 26th on their ranked list of the Best EastEnders characters of all time, calling her an "Ice queen". Womack won the 2008 Daily Star Soaper Star "Best Newcomer" award for her portrayal of Ronnie. She and Simons were awarded the "Best On-Screen Partnership" accolade at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards , and were nominated in
17385-428: Is in the care of Ronnie and Roxy. Ronnie and Phil track her down and Ronnie hires Aleks Shirovs ( Kristian Kiehling ) to beat Adam up. The following month, Ronnie accidentally runs Lola over, in the same spot where Danielle died. Ronnie is full of remorse for her actions and Lola soon forgives her, realising that Ronnie never intended to harm her. Ronnie has a brief relationship with Charlie Cotton ( Declan Bennett ),
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#173288672694317670-511: Is introduced as a friend of Les Coker ( Roger Sloman ) and Pam Coker ( Lin Blakley ), before being established as the mother of Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ), as well as the foster mother of Donna Yates ( Lisa Hammond ) and several other children. Upon her introduction, the character was described as a "new steely matriarch". During her time on the show, Claudette's storylines included being accused of an affair with Les Coker, before it
17955-453: Is knocked out of his highchair, with Lee's girlfriend Whitney Dean ( Shona McGarty ) alerting Mick and Linda. He appears to be fine, despite Mick insisting they should take him to hospital. Linda later finds Ollie is not breathing, but successfully resuscitates him. He then suffers a seizure and is admitted to hospital where a doctor tells the Carters that Ollie has bleeding on his brain caused by
18240-514: Is nearly hit by a car when Hannah Reynolds (Mia Jenkins) steps into the road whilst holding him, but is saved by Andy Flynn ( Jack Derges ), who pushes them out of the way of the approaching car. On the night that Ronnie and Jack remarry on New Year's Day 2017, Ronnie and Roxy both die after drowning in the hotel swimming pool, leaving Matthew in Jack and his maternal grandmother Glenda Mitchell 's ( Glynis Barber ) care when she moves in to help bring up
18525-469: Is nearly hit by a car. She is arrested for harassing Ronnie. However, Ronnie is still being watched by someone else. Ronnie becomes friends with Andy Flynn ( Jack Derges ), a builder who is helping Jack to renovate Max's old house into flats. Ronnie speaks in Hannah's defence in court and the charges are dropped. Hannah insists that she did not send Ronnie any death threats and she must have another enemy. Ronnie
18810-611: Is not what she thinks. Donna tells Pam, who goes to Claudette's house and sets about destroying gifts from Les until Claudette says the presents are not hers, and Pam should ask Les about Christine. When Pam asks Les, he reveals that Christine is his secret feminine alter ego , and he likes wearing women's clothes, and that Claudette has been supporting this secret. Claudette later tells Pam that Les persuaded her not to reveal his secret and encourages Pam to speak to Les about it. The next day, she helps Pam and Les prepare for their "meeting" with Christine, and tells Pam that "seeing" Christine for
19095-492: Is not willing to conclude it and states that she will make it difficult for him to exit. When Paul tells Vincent that Claudette and Les are having an affair, Vincent confronts her about it after finding identical postcards from Gran Canaria in both her and Les's houses, but agrees not to say anything to Pam. Les attempts to dissuade Claudette from coming to the Coker and Sons centenary party but she goes anyway and tells Les that Vincent
19380-611: Is now trying to locate her birth mother. On Archie and Peggy's wedding day, Danielle tells Ronnie that she is her daughter. Ronnie does not believe her because Archie told her that her daughter is dead, and throws her out. She later realises that Danielle was telling the truth and tries to apologize to Danielle, but she is hit by a car driven by Peggy's ex-stepdaughter Janine Butcher ( Charlie Brooks ) and dies in Ronnie's arms. Danielle's adoptive father, Andy, comes to London to get her and takes Danielle's remains back to Telford and bans Ronnie from
19665-500: Is obviously of paramount importance." Reith succeeded in building a high wall against an American-style free-for-all in radio in which the goal was to attract the largest audiences and thereby secure the greatest advertising revenue. There was no paid advertising on the BBC; all the revenue came from a tax on receiving sets. Highbrow audiences, however, greatly enjoyed it. At a time when American, Australian and Canadian stations were drawing huge audiences cheering for their local teams with
19950-467: Is on holiday. Ronnie goes into partnership with businessman Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen ), purchasing a nightclub, R&R , together, and begin an on-off relationship. During a period of separation, Roxy becomes pregnant by Jack after a one-night stand. Ronnie, unaware of who the father is, offers to support her sister and they briefly return to Ibiza. After an argument, Roxy visits their father, Archie Mitchell ( Larry Lamb ), to Ronnie's horror. She
20235-496: Is only 9 so maybe I shouldn't have let her watch it. I just didn't realise it was going to be so heart-wrenching, which was down to the great acting." Womack admitted that she thought the plot was "implausible". She commented: "I thought it was implausible. Most women who lose a child would not go out and abduct one," she told the Daily Mirror . "But Ronnie is a soap character and she is not necessarily representing real life. Soap
20520-414: Is overjoyed when she gets the job. She gets on the traders' nerves initially but soon learns to work with them. Carmel begins sleeping with Masood and she hopes that it will lead to a relationship but Masood leaves to travel the world, leaving Carmel devastated. She is later shocked to discover Denise is pregnant, telling her to book a scan and pressures her to tell her who the father is, infuriating Denise as
20805-500: Is placed in intensive care following her birth and Kim is told that she has an infection. A week later, Kim has Pearl christened with the middle names Denise and Patrice, named after her sister Denise Fox ( Diane Parish ), and Denise's surrogate father Patrick Trueman ( Rudolph Walker ) respectively, and is told that she has recovered from her infection. In March 2015, Kim is able to bring Pearl home to Albert Square. Eventually, Kim and Vincent reunite and Vincent moves in so he can become
21090-466: Is relieved when Roxy returns to the Square but horrified when Peggy announces that she and Archie are engaged. Roxy gives birth to a daughter, Amy Mitchell , named after the daughter Ronnie had who died. Ronnie is hurt when she learns of Amy's paternity but eventually forgives them both. Ronnie has a tumultuous relationship with employee, Danielle Jones ( Lauren Crace ), eventually leading to Danielle being sacked and Ronnie publicly berating her. Danielle
21375-408: Is responsible for operational management and delivery of services within a framework set by the board, and is chaired by the director-general , currently Tim Davie , who is chief executive and (from 1994) editor-in-chief. The corporation has the following in-house divisions covering the BBC's output and operations: Ronnie Mitchell Veronica Elizabeth "Ronnie" Branning (also Mitchell )
21660-519: Is run down by local resident Janine Butcher ( Charlie Brooks ), and subsequently dies in Ronnie's arms. Although different outcomes to the storyline were considered, Santer explained that Danielle dying best preserved Ronnie's status as EastEnders ' "tragic heroine character". Treadwell-Collins felt that to allow Ronnie to have her daughter, the "one thing that is key to her character" would serve to progressively weaken her character, and Santer agreed that while it may initially be touching, ultimately
21945-439: Is rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where her son Matthew is delivered by an emergency Caesarean section . She is revived at the last minute, but is placed in a coma for several weeks, before she is finally woken up. After two further months of rehabilitation, Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ), a man who it is revealed Ronnie was seeing in the autumn of 2013, visits her. Roxy breaks down and admits that, while she
22230-438: Is selling her house after all and that she has nowhere to live, so Kush allows her to move in with him and is joined by her youngest son, Shakil ( Shaheen Jafargholi ) a few weeks later. Shakil tells her that Umar wants to meet to discuss a possible reunion but it turns out that Shakil was lying, making Carmel feel unwanted but she and Shakil soon make up. Carmel is encouraged to apply for the job of market Inspector by Denise, and
22515-630: Is set by the British Government , agreed by Parliament , and is used to fund the BBC's radio, TV, and online services covering the nations and regions of the UK. Since 1 April 2014, it has also funded the BBC World Service (launched in 1932 as the BBC Empire Service), which broadcasts in 28 languages and provides comprehensive TV, radio, and online services in Arabic and Persian . Some of
22800-464: Is set for a long stay on the Square. We couldn't be happier!" It was announced on 12 July 2018 that Langford would be leaving the role at the end of the year. Carmel departed on 5 November 2018. Carmel comes for dinner with Shabnam after she becomes engaged to Kush. She gets on well with her father, Masood Ahmed ( Nitin Ganatra ), and they go for a drink together, where Masood tells Carmel that Shabnam has
23085-415: Is still planning to kill Phil. She organises for men to take Vincent, lock him in the boot of his car and have it crushed. She is distracted when Jack returns to spend Christmas with Amy. When Ronnie sees Vincent and he has no knowledge of the car, she realises the men put someone else in the car boot, but finds it has already been taken to be crushed. After Ronnie tells Vincent what she had planned, he goes to
23370-479: Is the reason why she and Jack are no longer together, asks Jack to leave with Amy as she too needs to be alone. Glenda tells Ronnie that Eric could not have killed Henry and that Vincent's mother, Claudette Hubbard ( Ellen Thomas ), must be lying to him. Ronnie tells Claudette to remain civil towards the Mitchells or she will tell Vincent what she knows. Ronnie later persuades Phil to come to Billy and Honey's engagement party where he coughs up blood and in hospital,
23655-401: Is then strengthened by the discovery of Shakil's watch. She attends Shakil's memorial in the Albert Square gardens and makes amends with Karen Taylor ( Lorraine Stanley ). Shakil's best friend, Keegan Baker ( Zack Morris ) takes her to where Shakil's killer, Bruno (Josh Fraser), lives and offers to square things but Carmel warns him against this and they have the police arrest Bruno; outside
23940-443: Is too late as James has been found and Jack has met Tommy upon returning - thinking he is his son. Ronnie struggles to bond with Tommy and refuses to let anyone see him. She is refused permission to attend James's funeral but goes anyway. At the wake, she gives Tommy to Kat but her intention is misunderstood and leads Jack to think she needs psychiatric help. Ronnie discovers that Kat's cousin-in-law Michael Moon ( Steve John Shepherd )
24225-410: Is usually mentioned when supplying Mo with dodgy goods to sell, or when the characters are involved in romance. Fat Elvis appears on 22 May 2015, after Mo reveals he has proposed marriage to her and she has accepted. However, several months later, Mo reveals that Fat Elvis has left her for his probation officer. It was announced that his appearance would only be a one off for the time being, albeit with
24510-479: Is visited by his family, which Stan witnesses, having told his own family not to come and see him. He talks to Stan about his love of Carry On films and they share their thoughts on their situations. Their relationship turns sour when Stan realises that his family do not care for him like Cyril's family do. Later in the day, Cyril dies during an argument between Babe Smith ( Annette Badland ) and Cora Cross ( Ann Mitchell ). Sachs' role as Stan's hospital roommate
24795-532: Is visiting the Mitchells. Sal reveals that Claudette used to work at a bar nearby and has known the Mitchell family for decades. Sal threatens to reveal secrets about Claudette, so she asks Vincent to speed up with his plan to take down the Mitchells. It is revealed that Claudette's husband, Henry, was an associate of Den Watts ( Leslie Grantham ), Ted Hills ( Brian Croucher ), Gavin Sullivan ( Paul Nicholas ) and Eric Mitchell ( George Russo ), Phil's father. Vincent
25080-475: Is worthless as she used to be promiscuous, and asks how she killed Henry, so Claudette strikes him over the head with a candelabra. Vincent then arrives, and she lies about the circumstances, but when Gavin escapes, her lies are revealed and Vincent works out he was blackmailing her and she killed Henry. When she insults Henry, Vincent chokes Claudette, as Patrick arrives and stops him. Vincent reveals to Patrick that Claudette killed Henry, and as Patrick tries to call
25365-510: The Daily Mirror commented "You'd think that being born in Albert Square, in the Vic, on the 30th anniversary of the show, would be a good omen for any baby. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case for baby Pearl, whose little life is hanging in the balance." Brent hoped Pearl would come through her illness, so there would be a happy outcome for a change. Claudette Hubbard , played by Ellen Thomas , made her first appearance on 12 March 2015. Claudette
25650-506: The Inside Soap Awards in 2015 for their portrayal of Paul and Ben's affair. On 19 April 2016, it was announced that Labey would be leaving the show, and Paul was killed-off on 19 July 2016 as part of a homophobia storyline. Jade Masood (also Green ), originally played by Amaya Edward, is the daughter of Shabnam Masood ( Rakhee Thakrar ) and Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ). She first appears on 12 June 2015. On 2 December 2023, it
25935-626: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York came to St Paul's to broadcast to the UK and the world on the National Day of Prayer. BBC employees during the war included George Orwell who spent two years with the broadcaster. During his role as prime minister during the war, Winston Churchill delivered 33 major wartime speeches by radio, all of which were carried by the BBC within the UK. On 18 June 1940, French general Charles de Gaulle , in exile in London as
26220-577: The BBC Television Service ) started from Alexandra Palace in November 1936, alternating between an improved Baird mechanical 240-line system and the all-electronic 405-line Marconi-EMI system which had been developed by an EMI research team led by Sir Isaac Shoenberg . The superiority of the electronic system saw the mechanical system dropped early the following year, with the Marconi-EMI system
26505-936: The MediaCityUK development in Salford , with BBC Three moving online only in 2016, the sharing of more programmes between stations and channels, sharing of radio news bulletins, more repeats in schedules, including the whole of BBC Two daytime and for some original programming to be reduced. BBC HD was closed on 26 March 2013, and replaced with an HD simulcast of BBC Two; however, flagship programmes, other channels and full funding for CBBC and CBeebies would be retained. Numerous BBC facilities have been sold off, including New Broadcasting House on Wilmslow Road in Manchester. Many major departments have been relocated to Broadcasting House in central London and MediaCityUK in Salford, particularly since
26790-486: The Mitchells , finds Vincent has been beaten by Phil Mitchell ( Steve McFadden ) and vows revenge on Phil. When Pam visits Claudette, she finds Les's tie, but after he and Claudette give conflicting explanations on this, Pam leaves to stay with her sister. Les becomes very distraught at her departure, and Claudette urges him to tell Pam the truth, just as Pam returns and walks in on them together. Shortly after Claudette leaves
27075-399: The stillbirth of her son, Zaair Kazemi . Shabnam and her husband, Kush Kazemi ( Davood Ghadami ) go into a custody battle with Jade's grandparents, Shirley and her boyfriend Buster Briggs ( Karl Howman ). However, Shabnam decides she is not ready to raise Jade as she is still grieving for Zaair and is persuaded not to go for custody. Shirley and Buster gain custody of Jade, but after Dean
27360-459: The "Best Actress" accolade at The Inside Soap Awards . She progressed to the viewer-voted shortlist in October 2018. Paul Coker , played by Jonny Labey , made his first screen appearance on 1 June 2015. He is the grandson of Les Coker ( Roger Sloman ) and Pam Coker ( Lin Blakley ) and has a relationship with Ben Mitchell ( Harry Reid ). Labey was nominated, alongside Reid, for Best Affair at
27645-486: The "main man" in the room, and knows how to play people to his advantage.' Pearl Fox (also Fox-Hubbard ), played by Arayah Harris-Buckle, is the daughter of Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson ) and Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ). She was born during the live episode broadcast on 19 February 2015 during the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. Pearl is born in the ladies' toilets of The Queen Victoria public house after Kim goes into labour two months early. She
27930-514: The 2025–26 season of the Women's Super League campaign. The BBC is a statutory corporation , independent from direct government intervention, with its activities being overseen from April 2017 by the BBC Board and regulated by Ofcom . The chairman is Samir Shah. The BBC is a state owned public broadcasting company and operates under a royal charter . The charter is the constitutional basis for
28215-470: The BBC and she was to leave the role in May 2011. However, Womack denied that her decision had anything to do with the storyline. Her contract ends in May 2011 and she will take a break from the series that had already been agreed. Womack's agent said in a statement: "There's no truth whatsoever in any suggestion that Sam is 'quitting' Eastenders [ sic ] over the current storyline. Her contract comes to
28500-467: The BBC announced a BBC News savings target of £80 million per year by 2022, involving about 520 staff reductions. The BBC's director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth said there would be further moves toward digital broadcasting, in part to attract back a youth audience, and more pooling of reporters to stop separate teams covering the same news. In 2020, the BBC reported a £119 million deficit because of delays to cost reduction plans, and
28785-506: The BBC has played a prominent role in British life and culture. It is sometimes informally referred to as the Beeb or Auntie . In 1923 it launched Radio Times (subtitled "The official organ of the BBC"), the first broadcast listings magazine; the 1988 Christmas edition sold 11 million copies, the biggest-selling edition of any British magazine in history. Britain's first live public broadcast
29070-565: The BBC is subject to an additional 'Agreement' between it and the Culture Secretary , and that its operating licence is to be set by Ofcom, an external regulatory body . It used to be that the Home Secretary be departmental to both Agreement as well as Licence, and regulatory duties fall to the BBC Trust , but the 2017 charter changed those 2007 arrangements. The charter, too, outlines
29355-583: The BBC network in summer 2007. Using the slogan "The square, under new management", one such trailer depicted both sisters as party girls, dancing, serving tequila in The Queen Victoria public house , shocking the older residents with their raunchy antics and squirting men with a soda syphon to the tune of " The Girls " by Calvin Harris . This scene was recreated for the sisters' final episode in 2017. Two other trailers featured Ronnie and Roxy individually. To
29640-741: The BBC released minutes of the board meeting which led to Greg Dyke's resignation. Unlike the other departments of the BBC, the BBC World Service was funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office . The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, more commonly known as the Foreign Office or the FCO, is the British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom abroad. A strike in 2005 by more than 11,000 BBC workers, over
29925-440: The BBC suddenly became the primary source of news for the duration of the crisis. The crisis placed the BBC in a delicate position. On the one hand Reith was acutely aware that the government might exercise its right to commandeer the BBC at any time as a mouthpiece of the government if the BBC were to step out of line, but on the other he was anxious to maintain public trust by appearing to be acting independently. The government
30210-477: The BBC was granted sufficient leeway to pursue the government's objectives largely in a manner of its own choosing. Supporters of the strike nicknamed the BBC the BFC for British Falsehood Company. Reith personally announced the end of the strike which he marked by reciting from Blake's " Jerusalem " signifying that England had been saved. While the BBC tends to characterise its coverage of the general strike by emphasising
30495-531: The BBC", was priced at tuppence (two pence ) on newsstands, and quickly sold out its run of a quarter of a million copies. Mid-1925 found the future of broadcasting under further consideration, this time by the Crawford committee. By now, the BBC, under Reith's leadership, had forged a consensus favouring a continuation of the unified (monopoly) broadcasting service, but more money was still required to finance rapid expansion. Wireless manufacturers were anxious to exit
30780-459: The BBC's airwaves. In 1937, a MI5 security officer was given a permanent office within the organisation. This officer would examine the files of potential political subversives and mark the files of those deemed a security risk to the organisation, blacklisting them. This was often done on spurious grounds; even so, the practice would continue and expand during the years of the Cold War. There
31065-535: The BBC's censorship office, which surveilled and edited American coverage of British affairs. By 1940, across all BBC broadcasts, music by composers from enemy nations was censored. In total, 99 German, 38 Austrian and 38 Italian composers were censored. The BBC argued that like the Italian or German languages, listeners would be irritated by the inclusion of enemy composers. Any potential broadcasters said to have pacifist, communist or fascist ideologies were not allowed on
31350-512: The BBC's revenue comes from its commercial subsidiary BBC Studios (formerly BBC Worldwide ), which sells BBC programmes and services internationally and also distributes the BBC's international 24-hour English-language news services BBC News , and from BBC.com, provided by BBC Global News Ltd. In 2009, the company was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in recognition of its international achievements in business. Since its formation in 1922,
31635-510: The BBC, and sets out the BBC's Object, Mission and Public Purposes. It emphasises public service , (limited) editorial independence , prohibits advertising on domestic services and proclaims the BBC is to "seek to avoid adverse impacts on competition which are not necessary for the effective fulfilment of the Mission and the promotion of the Public Purposes". The charter also sets out that
31920-575: The British government's asylum policy on social media. Lineker was suspended from his position on Match of the Day before being re-instated after receiving overwhelming support from his colleagues. The scandal was made worse due to the connections between BBC's chairman, Richard Sharp, and the Conservative Party. In April 2023, Richard Sharp resigned as chairman after a report found he did not disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest in his role in
32205-500: The CBBC Channel and CBeebies Channel. In addition to the television channels, new digital radio stations were created: 1Xtra , 6 Music and Radio 4 Extra . BBC 1Xtra was a sister station to Radio 1 and specialised in modern black music, BBC 6 Music specialised in alternative music genres and BBC7 specialised in archive, speech and children's programming. The following few years resulted in repositioning of some channels to conform to
32490-676: The Corporation's governance and regulatory arrangements as a statutory corporation, including the role and composition of the BBC Board. The current Charter began on 1 January 2017 and ends on 31 December 2027; the Agreement being coterminous. The BBC Board was formed in April 2017. It replaced the previous governing body, the BBC Trust, which itself had replaced the board of governors in 2007. The board sets
32775-642: The GPO and the BBC had become deadlocked and the Postmaster General commissioned a review of broadcasting by the Sykes Committee. The committee recommended a short-term reorganisation of licence fees with improved enforcement in order to address the BBC's immediate financial distress, and an increased share of the licence revenue split between it and the GPO. This was to be followed by a simple 10 shillings licence fee to fund broadcasts. The BBC's broadcasting monopoly
33060-879: The Gospel of Matthew. Aleks's daughter Ineta Shirovs (Gledisa Arthur) becomes fed up with Aleks looking after Matthew and takes him to the bus stop, so they can go to the hospital. Charlie finds them and takes Matthew home. He and Roxy then share residency until Ronnie is discharged from hospital. When Matthew is nine months old, he stays with Ronnie when she and Charlie separate, although Charlie vows to fight for custody. When Charlie tells Roxy he wants to take Matthew to France, she tells Ronnie. Roxy goes with Charlie but he soon realises that Ronnie and Roxy are working together when he sees Roxy constantly looking at her phone and Fatboy tells him that Vincent has told Ronnie, so he decides to leave with Matthew alone. However, Ronnie arrives before Charlie can board his train, and convinces him not to make
33345-510: The Mitchell family in the 1970s. Having been running a bar in Ibiza , Ronnie Mitchell and her younger sister Roxy ( Rita Simons ) visit Walford to support their cousin Phil ( Steve McFadden ) on his wedding to his fiance Stella Crawford ( Sophie Thompson ). It discloses that the sisters have also come to see their aunt Peggy Mitchell ( Barbara Windsor ) and stay to run The Queen Victoria while she
33630-476: The Mitchell family. As such, Archie lied that Ronnie was suffering from depression and convinced Danielle not to reveal the truth for the sake of her mother's mental well-being. Danielle accepted the lie, believing it to explain Ronnie's "hot and cold" reaction to her, and attempted to care for Ronnie and help her recover. Crace explained that despite their turbulent relationship, Ronnie was all Danielle had ever wanted. The ultimate revelation of Danielle's identity
33915-508: The Mitchells are told Phil will be dead within twelve months unless he stops drinking and has a liver transplant. Ronnie then discovers that Joel has died. Ronnie learns that Phil must remain sober for at least six months before he can undergo the liver transplant, so she vows to help him regain his sobriety. She is stunned when Joel's daughter, Hannah Reynolds (Mia Jenkins), arrives, accusing her of killing Joel. Feeling remorseful, Ronnie tries to give Hannah's uncle Tim Reynolds (Charlie Baker)
34200-408: The Mitchells. However, Ronnie realises they aren't police, and they drop her off in a wasteland, only for her to be picked up by Vincent. He tells her the police are going to charge her for Carl's murder, and she needs to get out of the country. She decides to confess to the police, but Vincent admits that he is a police informant, and Ronnie agrees to leave. However, Fatboy ( Ricky Norwood ) gives her
34485-489: The New Year's Day episode in which Ronnie and Roxy were killed off after drowning in a swimming pool, the BBC released a 10-second alternate ending clip on their Snapchat account, in which Ronnie survives, finding Roxy's corpse on a pool table with Jack. It then cuts to a hospital, where Ronnie is shown grieving when Roxy dies in hospital from a suspected drug overdose. Ronnie's death episode aired on 1 January 2017, but she made
34770-603: The Pride of Walford Awards a few months later, Donna accepts an award on her mum's behalf saying how she was not alone when Claudette took her in but now she is alone again. However, Claudette secretly watches behind the door but decides not to come in. Claudette tries to visit Donna in Bridge Street Market but notices her former enemy Peggy Mitchell ( Barbara Windsor ) who scowls at her, so Claudette walks away. Claudette supports Les and Pam when their grandson, Paul, dies following
35055-446: The Pride of Walford Awards and she is a finalist, a jealous Kim jumps on Pearl's bouncy castle in an attempt to take attention from Claudette, which Claudette punctures in retaliation. Later that day, Gavin meets Claudette and blackmails her, saying he wants money to stop him revealing a secret from her past. She fails to get money from Les or Vincent, so she meets Gavin at her home and tries to pay him off with sex. However, he says that it
35340-498: The Prime Minister, maintained the censorship of editorial opinions on public policy, but allowed the BBC to address matters of religious, political or industrial controversy. The resulting political "talk series", designed to inform England on political issues, were criticised by members of parliament, including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and Sir Austen Chamberlain . Those who opposed these chats claimed that they silence
35625-492: The UK's first Independent local radio station, LBC came on-air in the London area. As a result of the Pilkington Committee report of 1962, in which the BBC was praised for the quality and range of its output, and ITV was very heavily criticised for not providing enough quality programming, the decision was taken to award the BBC a second television channel, BBC2 , in 1964, renaming the existing service BBC1 . BBC2 used
35910-573: The United States, the GPO proposed that it would issue a single broadcasting licence to a company jointly owned by a consortium of leading wireless receiver manufacturers, to be known as the British Broadcasting Company Ltd , which was formed on 18 October 1922. John Reith , a Scottish Calvinist , was appointed its general manager in December 1922 a few weeks after the company made its first official broadcast. L. Stanton Jefferies
36195-466: The Walford Council planning committee. Although she remains oblivious to Max's scheming. When Masood returns from travelling, he informs Carmel that he is not going to renew her tenancy contract. Although disappointed, Carmel asks Max whether they should find a home of their own, which slightly displeases him. Carmel is then delighted that the council has dropped the investigation and decides to make her
36480-622: The air and forced the British government finally to regulate radio services to permit nationally based advertising-financed services. In response, the BBC reorganised and renamed their radio channels. On 30 September 1967, the Light Programme was split into Radio 1 offering continuous "Popular" music and Radio 2 more "Easy Listening". The "Third" programme became Radio 3 offering classical music and cultural programming. The Home Service became Radio 4 offering news, and non-musical content such as quiz shows, readings, dramas and plays. As well as
36765-415: The arrival of Roxy and Ronnie will herald a new golden age for the soap? Or maybe the BBC marketing department is just very good at putting a trailer together..." In addition to the trailers, the BBC planned a "glitzy" EastEnders BBC Radio 1 competition to promote the sisters' arrival, called "I love R&R" (Ronnie and Roxy). It ran from the end of June 2007, and included online promotion and video via
37050-448: The arrivals of June Whitfield as Sister Ruth , Mick ( Danny Dyer ) and Linda Carter 's ( Kellie Bright ) son Ollie Carter , the year's third baby, Mo Harris ' ( Laila Morse ) business associate Fat Elvis and Kush Kazemi 's ( Davood Ghadami ) mother, Carmel ( Bonnie Langford ). Paul Coker ( Jonny Labey ), the grandson of Les and Pam Coker ( Lin Blakley ), was introduced in June, as
37335-439: The baby is dead, Masood contacts Carmel and allows her to stay with him. Before returning to Essex, she and Masood help Kush and Shabnam reconcile for their stillborn son, Zaair 's, funeral. Carmel returns in November for the wedding and before they leave for their honeymoon, she promises to run Kush's stall in his absence. She also befriends Denise Fox ( Diane Parish ). Shortly after Kush and Shabnam return, Carmel sees Kush and
37620-506: The baby son of Lauren Branning ( Jacqueline Jossa ) and Peter Beale ( Ben Hardy ). In October, Elaine Peacock 's ( Maria Friedman ) toyboy lover Jason Adams ( Scott Neal ) was introduced, as well as first EastEnders transgender character to be played by a transgender actor, Kyle Slater ( Riley Carter Millington ). December saw the birth of the year's fifth baby, Kush and Stacey Branning 's ( Lacey Turner ) son, Arthur Fowler . Additionally, multiple other characters appeared throughout
37905-401: The baby's father is Phil Mitchell ( Steve McFadden ). When she feels her flat is too crowded, she decides to rent No. 31 after Sonia Fowler ( Natalie Cassidy ) leaves the square. However, Martin opposes her as he wants the house for his family, so Carmel retracts her deposit and decides to rent No. 41, Masood's house instead. Whilst moving in, Masood returns unexpectedly, forcing them to share
38190-486: The baby's paternity after the baby is born, Mick does a test which confirms that he and Linda both share the same blood group as Ollie. Mick tells Dean that his blood group does not match, and is happy to discover that he is the father. Linda names Ollie after Oliver Twist , from the musical of the same name . He is brought home by Mick and Linda. Following a fight between his older sister Nancy Carter ( Maddy Hill ) and his older brother Lee Carter ( Danny Hatchard ), Ollie
38475-545: The bar during an argument. Archie is later murdered and Ronnie is arrested as a suspect but released without charge. Ronnie learns that Archie raped Stacey, and Ronnie tells a disbelieving Roxy that he also did the same to her when she was 13. Stacey's late husband Bradley Branning ( Charlie Clements ) is posthumously assumed guilty of the murder after falling from the roof of the Queen Vic while trying to evade police arrest. On Ronnie's birthday, Jack proposes and she accepts. When
38760-493: The boy died, Carmel and Karen have a heated argument leading to Keegan finally seeing sense. Carmel and Keegan make amends before she moves abroad. In April 2021, Carmel discovers off-screen that Kush has died after being struck by a train. She is devastated to hear this and phones Martin to say that she will not be returning to Walford as it contains too many bad memories and would like Kush's body to be moved to her in Dubai. Langford
39045-458: The broadcast of baseball, rugby and hockey, the BBC emphasised service for a national rather than a regional audience. Boat races were well covered along with tennis and horse racing, but the BBC was reluctant to spend its severely limited air time on long football or cricket games, regardless of their popularity. John Reith and the BBC, with support from the Crown , determined the universal needs of
39330-606: The challenge of better reflecting and representing a changing UK". Since 2017, the BBC has also funded the Local Democracy Reporting Service , with up to 165 journalists employed by independent news organisations to report on local democracy issues on a pooled basis. In 2016, the BBC Director General Tony Hall announced a savings target of £800 million per year by 2021, which is about 23% of annual licence fee revenue. Having to take on
39615-575: The character as a "bit of a gangster" and teased that viewers would see her "darker side". Following the news of her departure, Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy said that the character would be missed, noting that EastEnders would miss Claudette for "her boobs, blackmail and barmy antics". Prior to leaving, Thomas said that she expected the character to return in the future, echoing producers' claims that [the door had been left open". Thomas added that [Claudette] would be coming back and if [the producers'] weren't interested [in her returning], they'd have killed
39900-408: The character off. When asked when she thought Claudette would return to the soap, Thomas said she expected the character to return in "six months, nine months – something like that." Cyril Bishop , played by Andrew Sachs , appears on 18 and 19 March 2015. He is a cancer patient who Stan Carter ( Timothy West ) befriends when he is admitted to hospital. Cyril is in a bed on the same ward as Stan. He
40185-423: The character. Ronnie is in her thirties, and the elder of the two sisters. Prior to her début, Womack described Ronnie as the more sensible and intelligent sister, stating that she has a "caustic tongue" and trust issues. She commented that the sisters are loyal to each other to the point that Ronnie would kill for Roxy, and attributed her "darker side" to her troubled childhood. A BBC source described Ronnie as
40470-442: The children. The following morning, police find their bodies in the pool, and inform Jack's brother Max Branning ( Jake Wood ), who then breaks the news to a devastated Jack. A few days later, Jack receives their wedding video, and watches Ronnie saying how much she loves him; he is emotional watching it. Jack later visits her body in the chapel of rest, a day before her and Roxy's funerals, and says an emotional farewell to her. At
40755-512: The children. Glenda, Amy, Matthew and Jack's son Ricky Mitchell (Henri Charles) grow close but eventually she realises she is not what Jack, Amy, Ricky and Matthew need to get through Ronnie and Roxy's deaths so decides to leave Walford, while promising to remain a part of Amy and Matthew's lives. After taking Matthew to the garden centre in February 2017, Dot has an accident in her car due to her eye sight. She and Matthew are unharmed and taken home by
41040-464: The closure of BBC Television Centre in March 2013. On 16 February 2016, the BBC Three television service was discontinued and replaced by a digital outlet under the same name, targeting its young adult audience with web series and other content. Under the new royal charter instituted in 2017, the corporation must publish an annual report to Ofcom, outlining its plans and public service obligations for
41325-408: The corporation began to sell off a number of its operational divisions to private owners; BBC Broadcast was spun off as a separate company in 2002, and in 2005, it was sold off to Australian -based Macquarie Capital Alliance Group and Macquarie Group Limited and rebranded Red Bee Media . The BBC's IT , telephony and broadcast technology were brought together as BBC Technology Ltd in 2001, and
41610-410: The country after the police are called, feeling that Stacey has suffered enough. With Jack abroad on business, Ronnie gives birth to a boy called James Branning but he dies of sudden infant death syndrome within days of being born and as Ronnie seeks help, she swaps her child with Kat's newborn son - Tommy . Almost instantly, Ronnie regrets her actions. She then tries to swap the babies back, but it
41895-450: The damage. After a heist involving Mick, he is suspected of stealing the money and Aidan Maguire ( Patrick Bergin ) frightens Linda when he lets himself into The Queen Vic when he has hold of Ollie. The Carters panic when Ollie and the pub is covered in petrol. Fat Elvis , played by Shenton Dixon, is a long-term business associate and love-interest of Mo Harris ( Laila Morse ). The character has been mentioned several times since 2004. He
42180-419: The daughter she had lost. The animosity between Ronnie and her father was explored in July 2008, when Lamb made his first appearance as Archie. Womack believes that the introduction of Archie was "fundamental to Ronnie and how she was perceived by the audience. This was the underbelly of why everything had gone wrong in her life, and so these scenes were always going to be really, really important." Archie made
42465-403: The day they were reunited. And yes, her baby James tragically died very soon after birth. And yes, she was eventually sent to jail for nicking off with Kat's [child], Tommy. But on the day that prison door slammed shut, Ronnie sat down, sighed and finally smiled. She'd found her peace at last." In April 2013, Womack said that she would not rule out a return to EastEnders , and even though Maslen
42750-438: The development of Womack leaving the role in 2011, with the character departing in the episode shown on 7 July 2011. In May 2013, show bosses announced that Womack would return to EastEnders as Ronnie for six months. Womack returned on screen for two three-month-long stints, from 9 September 2013 to 1 January 2014 and from 3 March to 23 June 2014. She then returned full-time to screens on 25 September 2014. Womack's second stint on
43035-553: The division was later sold to the German company Siemens IT Solutions and Services (SIS). SIS was subsequently acquired from Siemens by the French company Atos . Further divestments included BBC Books (sold to Random House in 2006); BBC Outside Broadcasts Ltd (sold in 2008 to Satellite Information Services ); Costumes and Wigs (stock sold in 2008 to Angels Costumes ); and BBC Magazines (sold to Immediate Media Company in 2011). After
43320-435: The episode, Danielle announces that she is Ronnie's daughter in front of the entire wedding reception party. She is met with disbelief, and thrown out by Ronnie. Soon thereafter, however, Ronnie discovers that Danielle has an identical locket to her own. Having given the matching locket to her daughter, Ronnie realises that Danielle was telling the truth. She hurries to find her, but just as they are about to be reunited, Danielle
43605-405: The error of her ways and encourage her to stay with her foster son Linford to clear her head. On her way out of Walford, she meets Patrick and tells him he was never good enough for her but Patrick says that Claudette does not think she is good enough for anyone. It's so long ago I can't remember the name of the first character I was. Then I was Grace and now I'm Claudette. Third time lucky. Give me
43890-407: The facilitation of a loan to Prime Minister Boris Johnson . Dame Elan Closs Stephens was appointed as acting chairwoman on 27 June 2023, and she would lead the BBC board for a year or until a new permanent chair has been appointed. Samir Shah was subsequently appointed with effect from 4 March 2024. In October 2024 it was announced that the BBC along with Sky Sports signed a deal to broadcast
44175-447: The first fully electronic television system in the world to be used in regular broadcasting. The success of broadcasting provoked animosities between the BBC and well-established media such as theatres, concert halls and the recording industry. By 1929, the BBC complained that the agents of many comedians refused to sign contracts for broadcasting, because they feared it harmed the artist "by making his material stale" and that it "reduces
44460-452: The first time will be easier than she thinks. Claudette is later annoyed when Vincent has sex with a married Ronnie Mitchell ( Samantha Womack ), whom he had dated before, and advises them to work on their own marriages. She moves in with Vincent, Kim and Pearl when he buys a large house on Albert Square. Claudette starts working in The Albert and meets Phil's aunt, Sal ( Anna Karen ), who
44745-429: The following year, BBC Choice was launched as the third general entertainment channel from the BBC. The BBC also purchased The Parliamentary Channel, which was renamed BBC Parliament . In 1999, BBC Knowledge launched as a multimedia channel, with services available on the newly launched BBC Text digital teletext service (later rebranded as BBC Red Button), and on BBC Online . The channel had an educational aim, which
45030-423: The former explores Ronnie's friendship with her employee Danielle Jones ( Lauren Crace ) — who later turns out to be her long-lost daughter — and the latter reveals that Archie had raped Ronnie when she was 13. Soon afterwards, Ronnie becomes the subject of a controversial storyline where she swaps her dead baby with that of Tommy Moon — the son of her close friend Kat Moon ( Jessie Wallace ). This contributes to
45315-402: The forthcoming ending of the remaining £253 million funding towards pensioner licence fees would increase financial pressures. In January 2021, it was reported that former banker Richard Sharp would succeed David Clementi , as chairman, when he stepped down in February. In March 2023, the BBC was at the centre of a political row with football pundit Gary Lineker , after he criticised
45600-499: The four national channels, a series of local BBC radio stations were established in 1967, including Radio London . In 1969, the BBC Enterprises department was formed to exploit BBC brands and programmes for commercial spin-off products. In 1979, it became a wholly owned limited company, BBC Enterprises Ltd. In 1974, the BBC's teletext service, Ceefax , was introduced, created initially to provide subtitling, but developed into
45885-562: The full cost of running the BBC World Service and the BBC Monitoring service from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and partially finance the Welsh broadcaster S4C . Further cuts were announced on 6 October 2011, so the BBC could reach a total reduction in their budget of 20%, following the licence fee freeze in October 2010, which included cutting staff by 2,000 and sending a further 1,000 to
46170-484: The funeral. Despite this, Ronnie goes to Telford and Danielle's best-friend Stacey Slater ( Lacey Turner ) convinces Andy to talk to Ronnie about Danielle. Grieving for the daughter she was not allowed to raise, Ronnie becomes obsessed with having a baby. She tries tricking Jack into getting her pregnant and rekindles her romance with Joel until she learns that he has had a vasectomy . She gets pregnant by Owen Turner ( Lee Ross ), but miscarries when Archie pushes her into
46455-633: The government. Throughout the 1930s, political broadcasts had been closely monitored by the BBC. In 1935, the BBC censored the broadcasts of Oswald Mosley and Harry Pollitt . Mosley was a leader of the British Union of Fascists , and Pollitt a leader of the Communist Party of Great Britain . They had been contracted to provide a series of five broadcasts on their parties' politics. The BBC, in conjunction with The Foreign Office of Britain, first suspended this series and ultimately cancelled it without
46740-404: The grandson of local gossip Dot Branning ( June Brown ), after confiding to him about her ordeal with Danielle's death. Ronnie and Roxy buy 27 Albert Square, after deciding that Phil's house is too crowded, but after revealing that she is pregnant to Phil, Ronnie decides to leave. Ronnie returns several months later, as requested by Peggy to try to stop Phil and Sharon's wedding, revealing that she
47025-482: The gun, threatening to kill Vincent if he threatens her again. Ronnie learns that Vincent is seeking revenge on Phil because Phil's father Eric ( George Russo ) killed Vincent's father Henry. The tensions between the Mitchells and the Hubbards increase when Phil snatches Vincent's infant daughter, Pearl Fox-Hubbard . Ronnie helps negotiate what she thinks is a truce between the two men, but Fatboy informs her that Vincent
47310-405: The higher resolution 625-line standard which had been standardised across Europe. BBC2 was broadcast in colour from 1 July 1967 and was joined by BBC1 and ITV on 15 November 1969. The 405-line VHF transmissions of BBC1 (and ITV) were continued for compatibility with older television receivers until 1985. Starting in 1964, a series of pirate radio stations (starting with Radio Caroline ) came on
47595-563: The hospital by paramedics after she was found by the side of a road. Patrick later sees Claudette. Realising that she is alive, he tells Vincent, who soon realises the truth. When Vincent goes to Donna's home, Donna reveals Claudette is with her and has told her what Vincent did to her. Donna refuses to believe that Claudette killed Henry, so Vincent reveals that Claudette killed Fatboy. Donna is distraught at being lied to and asks Vincent and Claudette to leave, but Patrick arrives and confirms that Claudette killed Henry. Claudette insists Henry's death
47880-463: The hospital where James was born, she finally admits the truth and returns Tommy to Kat. Questioned at the police station about her mental health, Ronnie admits that she has been having flashbacks since Danielle's death. She is remanded in custody and asks Jack to move on. Roxy convinces Ronnie to apply for bail, which she is granted. Jack forgives her and they resume their relationship. Michael attempts to frame Ronnie for kidnapping Tommy so she will get
48165-509: The hotel; precariously perched on the hotel roof, still drinking champagne, they discuss their time in the square and the start of a new era. Looking for Ronnie's lost bridal shoe, they accidentally find the hotel swimming pool, and Roxy jumps in. Ronnie is unable to remove her wedding dress, and sees Roxy motionless, having sunk to the bottom of the pool. Ronnie jumps in to rescue her, but is entangled by her wedding dress and drowns alongside her sister just before midnight as Jack reads Cinderella to
48450-821: The house as she has already signed the contract. When Belinda Peacock ( Carli Norris ) begins a relationship with Masood, she doubts her motives and accuses her of only being with Masood for financial purposes, to save her debt ridden salon, "Elysium". However, Belinda leaves the square soon after. Carmel and Denise are later furious to discover that Masood is planning to move to Pakistan and accuses him of leaving to reunite with his former wife Zainab Masood ( Nina Wadia ). They all reconciled before Masood leaves, telling him they'll always be there for him, and watch him leave. Carmel tries to talk Denise out of her decision to give her newborn son up for adoption, but eventually decides to support her, not wanting to end their friendship. Carmel tries to reason with market traders when they hear that
48735-544: The house at about the time Babe was attacked, she ends their relationship, saying he does not trust her. Claudette also exposes Babe's blackmail to Linda and her husband Mick Carter ( Danny Dyer ). It transpires that the real culprit is Abi Branning ( Lorna Fitzgerald ). She later briefly reconciles with Patrick but her jealousy over his closeness with Dot Branning ( June Brown ) causes him to publicly break up with her. Humiliated and enraged, she asks Vincent to "take care" of Patrick for hurting her but he and Donna make her see
49020-483: The house, Pam urges Les to end the affair or their marriage is over. Two months later, Les visits Claudette for comfort after Pam refuses to speak to him on their deceased son's birthday. Two days later, he calls Claudette, telling her he cannot stop thinking about her, and later makes an excuse to Pam to go and be with Claudette again. He is then caught at Claudette's house in his underwear by Donna, who concludes they are having an affair, though Claudette tries to explain it
49305-439: The ice to Roxy's fire, and Simons deemed her "armoured", as well as the "less flamboyant, darker" sister, with a more controlling nature. Womack feels that Ronnie is "deeply damaged", describing her as unable to be honest with herself or others as a result of her guarded personality. She explained that she has been taught to hide her feelings and to be a survivor, which she accomplishes by controlling others, concluding that Ronnie
49590-460: The inquest into Ronnie and Roxy's deaths, their deaths are ruled as misadventure . Womack (called Janus until May 2009) and Simons were cast as Ronnie and Roxy respectively. They were the first major signings made by executive producer Diederick Santer , who told the Daily Mirror that the sisters were intended to bring "sexy, dramatic excitement" to the show. He stated, "They may be glamorous young women, but these girls are Mitchells and have all
49875-433: The instrumental sound of " Little Green Bag " by George Baker , each sister discussed their sibling, giving snippets of information on their personality and the dynamics of their relationship. Discussing Ronnie, Roxy stated that her sister would go to great lengths to prevent her from getting hurt. In turn, Ronnie said "Roxy will always be my kid sister. Fights, broken hearts, over the years we've had them all. She can be quite
50160-505: The issue of Archie raping Ronnie arises again, Peggy refuses to believe it but later learns that Ronnie is telling the truth and that Ronnie and Roxy's mother, Glenda ( Glynis Barber ), knew but did not stop it. Ronnie learns of this and disowns her, though later when Ronnie reveals to a departing Peggy that she is pregnant with Jack's child, Peggy advises Ronnie to give Glenda another chance. Ronnie's cousin Sam ( Danniella Westbrook ) gives birth to
50445-424: The last time he sees them. At the wedding, Roxy begins to break down, says she cannot give Ronnie away, and runs out. Ronnie is unable to face Jack and runs off in tears, later revealing she wishes Roxy to move with them, and will not accept any other outcome. Jack eventually accepts, and they marry on New Year's Day 2017, after Roxy gives her away. Later, the two sisters get drunk after a happy day and wander outside
50730-534: The late 1980s, the BBC began a process of divestment by spinning off and selling parts of its organisation. In 1988, it sold off the Hulton Press Library, a photographic archive which had been acquired from the Picture Post magazine by the BBC in 1957. The archive was sold to Brian Deutsch and is now owned by Getty Images . In 1987, the BBC decided to centralize its operations by the management team with
51015-665: The leader of the Free French, made a speech, broadcast by the BBC, urging the French people not to capitulate to the Nazis. In October 1940, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret made their first radio broadcast for the BBC's Children's Hour , addressing other children who had been evacuated from cities. In 1938, John Reith and the Government of the United Kingdom , specifically the Ministry of Information which had been set up for WWII, designed
51300-477: The local gym. She learns that Sharon Rickman ( Letitia Dean ) and Shirley Carter ( Linda Henry ) know what happened to Carl and tells Roxy the truth, who accepts Ronnie's explanation of the incident. Carl's family put pressure on Ronnie as they ask about Carl's whereabouts. When they realise that Ronnie has something to do with his disappearance, Carl's brother, Adam White (Ben Wigzell), snatches Lola Pearce 's ( Danielle Harold ) daughter, Lexi Pearce , while she
51585-441: The loss of baby James was a catalyst, Ronnie's reaction was born out of extreme personal trauma in her life and not as the direct and sole consequence of losing her baby. It is Ofcom's view that the broadcaster did not intend the storyline to suggest that her actions were a typical response of a mother who had experienced SIDS and therefore sufficient editorial context was provided to viewers." —Ofcom's broadcast bulletin clearing
51870-489: The loss-making consortium, and Reith was keen that the BBC be seen as a public service rather than a commercial enterprise. The recommendations of the Crawford Committee were published in March the following year and were still under consideration by the GPO when the 1926 United Kingdom general strike broke out in May. The strike temporarily interrupted newspaper production, and with restrictions on news bulletins waived,
52155-408: The market be relocated. During the dispute, a bus crashes into the market and the viaduct. Carmel survives the crash and worries over Shakil's welfare when she learns he is on board, but is later relieved when he jumps off the top deck safely with the help of the others at the bottom. Carmel is shocked to discover that naked photos of Shakil have been sent around the school, and is angry to discover it
52440-754: The material their broadcasts would cover. Nothing was to be added outside the preordained news items. For example, the BBC Polish Service was heavily censored due to fears of jeopardising relations with the Soviet Union . Controversial topics, i.e. the contested Polish and Soviet border, the deportation of Polish citizens, the arrests of Polish Home Army members and the Katyn massacre , were not included in Polish broadcasts. American radio broadcasts were broadcast across Europe on BBC channels. This material also passed through
52725-442: The men who Karin is winding up – the women of Walford won't like her either." Karin arrived in Albert Square for two episodes on 9 and 10 April, looking for Phil Mitchell ( Steve McFadden ). She then returned for a further two episodes from 27 April. Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) is impressed by Karin when she approaches him asking for the whereabouts of Phil, and Jay Brown ( Jamie Borthwick ) warns him that Karin's deceased husband
53010-530: The modest, church-going elderly or a member of the Clergy . Until 1928, entertainers broadcasting on the BBC, both singers and "talkers" were expected to avoid biblical quotations, Clerical impersonations and references, references to drink or Prohibition in the United States , vulgar and doubtful matter and political allusions. The BBC excluded popular foreign music and musicians from its broadcasts, while promoting British alternatives. On 5 March 1928, Stanley Baldwin,
53295-417: The money stolen from her and Roxy so she can get rid of Nick, but he refuses. Ronnie steals all the money in his safe. On their wedding day, Phil finds out about the money, and agrees to kill Nick. He overhears this and angrily cuts the brakes on Ronnie's car. She goes into labour during the wedding reception, and Roxy and Charlie rush her to hospital, but crash the car in the square due to the cut brakes. Ronnie
53580-423: The more sensible of the Mitchell sisters, Ronnie has spiralled into instability since daughter Danielle's death, becoming E20's own succubus, trying to trick any man into getting her pregnant." They commented on the fact she has tried to fall pregnant with Jack, Ryan, Joel and Owen and joked that she should try it on with Darren Miller . Holy Soap recall Ronnie's most memorable moment as being finding out Danielle
53865-413: The new corporation adopted the coat of arms , including the motto "Nation shall speak peace unto Nation". British radio audiences had little choice apart from the upscale programming of the BBC. Reith, an intensely moralistic executive, was in full charge. His goal was to broadcast "All that is best in every department of human knowledge, endeavour and achievement.... The preservation of a high moral tone
54150-460: The new executive producer, Sean O'Connor along with several other characters. Speaking on her exit, an EastEnders spokesperson said ""As our regular viewers will know, Claudette has often been seen coming and going from the [Albert Square] to visit her family and friends" concluding that "this is the end of another stint for Claudette and we wish [Thomas] all the best for the future." She made her final appearance on 1 November 2016. Thomas' casting
54435-473: The next year. In its 2017–18 report, released July 2017, the BBC announced plans to "re-invent" its output to better compete against commercial streaming services such as Netflix . These plans included increasing the diversity of its content on television and radio, a major increase in investments towards digital children's content, and plans to make larger investments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to "rise to
54720-413: The notice of the public. Less radical politicians faced similar censorship. In 1938, Winston Churchill proposed a series of talks regarding British domestic and foreign politics and affairs but was similarly censored. The censorship of political discourse by the BBC was a precursor to the total shutdown of political debate that manifested over the BBC's wartime airwaves. The Foreign Office maintained that
55005-458: The notion that Danielle might be her daughter. In the aftermath of her abortion, Danielle was depicted as being increasingly emotionally unstable and angry with Ronnie, believing that she deserved to belong to the Mitchell family. The writers had Archie discover her secret as a test of his character, experimenting with whether he would be despicable enough to conceal the truth. Lamb deemed Danielle "a huge threat" to Archie's position as patriarch of
55290-541: The opinions of those in Parliament who are not nominated by Party Leaders or Party Whips, thus stifling independent, non-official views. In October 1932, the policemen of the Metropolitan Police Federation marched in protest at a proposed pay cut. Fearing dissent within the police force and public support for the movement, the BBC censored its coverage of the events, only broadcasting official statements from
55575-440: The option of additional appearances in the future. A source at EastEnders said, "Everyone on the show was really excited to finally put a face to the name of Fat Elvis. It's a one-off appearance for now, but who knows what could happen in the future..." ITV News called Fat Elvis a "cult character" and said that fans went "into meltdown" after his unannounced appearance in the show. The Daily Mirror said Fat Elvis's appearance
55860-407: The people of Britain and broadcast content according to these perceived standards. Reith effectively censored anything that he felt would be harmful, directly or indirectly. While recounting his time with the BBC in 1935, Raymond Postgate claims that BBC broadcasters were made to submit a draft of their potential broadcast for approval. It was expected that they tailored their content to accommodate
56145-502: The plan at the last minute. Dean and Roxy decide to move away, upsetting Ronnie, so she gets Billy to rob his salon. However, Dean realises she was behind it, so proposes to Roxy in front of Ronnie. She tries to pay him off to leave, but he realises she is recording their conversation, so plays it to Roxy at their engagement party. They argue, and Ronnie smashes up the Albert bar, before she tells her relative Billy Mitchell ( Perry Fenwick ) she
56430-447: The plan was. Charlie tells Jack that Max set him up. After initially denying it, Max admits that he was responsible for Matthew being taken away as payback and Jack throws Max out. Meanwhile, Charlie leaves Walford once again with Matthew. Reporters for the Daily Mirror called Matthew an "unfortunate boy". Vincent Hubbard , played by Richard Blackwood , made his first screen appearance on 17 February 2015. The character and casting
56715-445: The police station, Carmel reveals herself to his mother, Sophie (Melanie Harris). When Carmel finds Keegan in possession of a knife, she anonymously hands it in and decides to campaign for a knife amnesty, where young people can hand in knives to a public knife bin and their identities remain secret. She then tries to start a youth club but fails. At Halloween, Keegan stabs a boy who disrespected Shakil and Carmel allows him to think that
57000-401: The police, Claudette tries to snatch the phone off him, but falls down the basement stairs, hitting her head on a brick. Patrick leaves to get help but when he returns, Vincent has buried Claudette underneath the basement and tells Patrick to forget it happened or they will both be arrested for murder. However, unknown to Vincent and Patrick, Claudette escapes from the basement and is brought into
57285-430: The police. When Matthew goes missing, Jack's brother, Max Branning ( Jake Wood ), tells Jack that Matthew is at Dot's and when Jack goes to get him, Charlie answers the door, telling Jack they need to talk about Matthew. Jack reluctantly lets Charlie spend time with and look after Charlie. Charlie tells Dot that he has seen a solicitor about Matthew, who he plans to take back to Ireland with him. Dot tells Jack that Charlie
57570-435: The positive impression created by its balanced coverage of the views of government and strikers, Seaton has characterised the episode as the invention of "modern propaganda in its British form". Reith argued that trust gained by 'authentic impartial news' could then be used. Impartial news was not necessarily an end in itself. The BBC did well out of the crisis, which cemented a national audience for its broadcasting, and it
57855-422: The post, with a note saying 'We regret, etc.'" In the 1930s music broadcasts also enjoyed great popularity, for example the friendly and wide-ranging BBC Theatre Organ broadcasts at St George's Hall , London by Reginald Foort , who held the official role of BBC Staff Theatre Organist from 1936 to 1938. Television broadcasting was suspended from 1 September 1939 to 7 June 1946, during the World War II , and it
58140-434: The pressure from these quarters and uneasiness among the staff of the licensing authority, the General Post Office (GPO), was sufficient to lead to a ban on further Chelmsford broadcasts. But by 1922, the GPO had received nearly 100 broadcast licence requests and moved to rescind its ban in the wake of a petition by 63 wireless societies with over 3,000 members. Anxious to avoid the same chaotic expansion experienced in
58425-421: The promotion as a "precautionary measure". Winners were instead told that they would receive a tour of the EastEnders set, and the website was closed down on 26 July 2007. Upon her introduction, Ronnie's loss of a child was initially kept a secret. She was depicted reacting with jealousy to Roxy's pregnancy. The secret was linked to a photograph carried in Ronnie's locket, which was revealed in May 2008 to be of
58710-493: The pub that Kat and Alfie lease from him, to force them out of Walford. However, Roxy continues to see Carl and Ronnie decides to take Roxy and Amy to Ibiza. When Carl learns about this, he threatens to rape Ronnie and, when he attacks her, she kills him in self-defence by slamming the boot of the car onto his head. She and Roxy then leave for Ibiza, after disposing of the body and only Phil is aware of her actions. When they return, two months later, Ronnie reveals that she has bought
58995-405: The pub. Carmel and Shakil then moves in with Kush and Denise. While Carmel is at Windsor for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , Shakil is stabbed by a gang and the delay in finding him proves fatal. She rushes to the hospital to be told that her son has died. After hearing that Kush may still leave for Dubai, she feels helpless and tries to commit suicide by opioid overdose but she
59280-402: The public should not be aware of their role in the censorship. From 1935 to 1939, the BBC also attempted to unite the British Empire's radio waves, sending staff to Egypt, Palestine , Newfoundland , Jamaica, India, Canada and South Africa. Reith personally visited South Africa, lobbying for state-run radio programmes which was accepted by South African Parliament in 1936. A similar programme
59565-423: The radio and television divisions joining forces together for the first time, the activities of the news and currents departments and coordinated jointly under the new directorate. During the 1990s, this process continued with the separation of certain operational arms of the corporation into autonomous but wholly owned subsidiaries , with the aim of generating additional revenue for programme-making. BBC Enterprises
59850-410: The relationship ended less than a month after it began. Roxy told Ronnie that Jack cheated on her with his ex-wife, Selina , she decided not to move in with him, and punched him. In an interview in the TV Times , Womack commented, "She [Ronnie] has a problem with physical violence. Any time she's up against it or feels she's been lied to, she lashes out". Despite this, the characters' on/off romance
60135-407: The relationship would become boring. In December 2009, Archie was murdered in a " whodunit " storyline. Santer hoped that his death would bring Ronnie closure, but suggested conversely that it might damage her further. Jack Branning was introduced in October 2007, and his association with Ronnie was developed after he became her business partner at the soap's club, "R&R". A flirtatious romance
60420-578: The role of Ronnie for the next six months. Ronnie is coming out of prison and her reappearance in [Albert] Square is going to create havoc. I can't wait to be a Mitchell once again!" EastEnders ' executive producer Lorraine Newman added: "We're delighted to announce Samantha Womack's return to Albert Square. The Mitchell sisters are a fabulous pairing and it will be an absolute delight to have Ronnie and Roxy back together on screen. However, Ronnie's departure wasn't without controversy for many residents in Walford, and her return will be sure to ruffle quite
60705-417: The room after hitting Gavin over the head with a vase, however, he regains consciousness and the two women try to hide from him. Sharon and Buster Briggs ( Karl Howman ) arrive, having seen Kathy leaving Walford with Gavin and got the address from Dennis, and then a woman falls onto the windscreen of their car and breaking her neck and is killed instantly. They see that it is Margaret who fell to her death from
60990-443: The sales of OBs and costumes, the remainder of BBC Resources was reorganised as BBC Studios and Post Production , which continues today as a wholly owned subsidiary of the BBC. The 2004 Hutton Inquiry and the subsequent report raised questions about the BBC's journalistic standards and its impartiality. This led to resignations of senior management members at the time including the then Director General, Greg Dyke . In January 2007,
61275-439: The same category at The British Soap Awards , where the following year, Womack was nominated "Best Actress". Ronnie and Danielle's relationship was named "Best Storyline" at the 2009 Inside Soap Awards , and "Best Soap Storyline" at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards, where Womack was additionally shortlisted for the "Best Soap Actress" accolade. At the All About Soap Bubble Awards, Ronnie and Jack were nominated for
61560-644: The same mistakes as Nick did. Charlie leaves Matthew with Ronnie. Four days later, Charlie returns to Walford, having been persuaded by Dot to fight for custody, but Ronnie turns nasty when Charlie threatens to tell the police that she murdered Carl White ( Daniel Coonan ) and says that she will never see Matthew again. She and former boyfriend, Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ), confront Charlie, who, in fear of his life, disappears. Matthew lives with Ronnie and her ex-husband, Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen ), when they reunite in March 2016 and Jack and Roxy's daughter, Amy Mitchell (Abbie Knowles) later moves in. Matthew
61845-456: The same tradition of strong soap women that ' Enders seems to have been lacking since the exit of Kat Moon", a popular character who left the serial in 2005, but returned along with Alfie Moon in 2010. He added that Womack "brings a calm but firm presence to the table as Ronnie." Radio Times included Ronnie in their November 2009 feature profiling bunny boilers . As Ronnie's behaviour has grown more desperate on-screen they stated: "Initially
62130-456: The scrapyard and finds Fatboy is dead. He decides not to tell Ronnie this, and lies that the boot was empty. Ronnie then rekindles her relationship with Jack. She learns from Mick of Dean's attempted rape of Roxy, and Roxy plans to move to Portugal. Glenda returns and tells Ronnie to stop Roxy from leaving but they are unsuccessful when Roxy says Ronnie has controlled her and she needs to be alone. Ronnie re-evaluates her life and, believing that this
62415-585: The show and think the recent 30th Anniversary was sensational and shows just how good British television can be. To be part of this family is an absolute privilege." Carmel is Kush Kazemi 's ( Davood Ghadami ) mother. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins described the character as being a loud and embarrassing "modern Essex divorcée who isn't quite ready to cut the apron strings". He added that she would clash with Kush's fiancée Shabnam Masood ( Rakhee Thakrar ). Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap praised Langford's first appearance and said "bright, bubbly and
62700-624: The show celebrate its 30th anniversary with a live week , which oversaw the live arrivals of Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ), and the second baby born in 2015, Pearl Fox-Hubbard , Vincent's daughter with Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson ). In March, Claudette Hubbard ( Ellen Thomas ) arrived as Donna Yates ' ( Lisa Hammond ) foster mother and an acquaintance of Les Coker ( Roger Sloman ) followed by Stan Carter 's ( Timothy West ) friend Cyril Bishop ( Andrew Sachs ) and Sharon Mitchell 's aunt Margaret Midhurst ( Jan Harvey ), whilst Denise van Outen joined in April as Karin Smart . May saw
62985-399: The show saw Ronnie involved in storylines such as killing Carl White ( Daniel Coonan ) in self-defence, marrying Charlie Cotton ( Declan Bennett ) and having a child with him, having an affair with Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ), attempting to poison Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ), being stalked by Andy Flynn ( Jack Derges ), and remarrying Jack before drowning along with Roxy in
63270-446: The sisters secretly plan for Roxy to join the couple in Essex. However, on her wedding day, Roxy packs her things, as she reveals she is moving away to live with Glenda and Danny, feeling as if she will ruin Ronnie's happiness. After an argument, Ronnie convinces Roxy to give her away, and she agrees. While on the way to the wedding, Ronnie and Roxy visit Phil for a final time and take a picture with him, unbeknownst to him that it will be
63555-465: The spring. Both June and Jan are class acts, bringing warmth and humanity to two characters who will shed some light on the pasts of two of our most iconic women— Sharon Mitchell ( Letitia Dean ) and Kat Moon—changing both their lives in very different ways." In July 2016, Whitfield said she thought Ruth was the first time she had played a nun, and when asked if she could return to EastEnders , said she thought that Ruth had since died because her ill health
63840-520: The spring. Both June and Jan are class acts, bringing warmth and humanity to two characters who will shed some light on the pasts of two of our most iconic women—Sharon Mitchell and Kat Moon ( Jessie Wallace )—changing both their lives in very different ways." Inside Soap called Margaret "wicked" and hoped to see more of her, saying "what could be more fun than Sharon having an evil auntie?" Karin Smart , played by Denise van Outen , made her first screen appearance on 9 April 2015. Van Outen's casting
64125-537: The square’s local nightclub. She later formed an on-off relationship with her business partner, Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen ). The character is introduced during the episode first broadcast on 24 July 2007. Her first major storyline saw Ronnie clash with her villainous father, Archie ( Larry Lamb ), after it transpired that he forced his eldest daughter — at the age of 14 — to give up her newborn baby just moments after she gave birth. This escalates in " The Secret Mitchell " and " Who Killed Archie? " scenarios, wherein
64410-424: The storyline At the end of 2010, Kat Moon ( Jessie Wallace ) and Ronnie both give birth on the same day, but Ronnie's baby, James, dies and while Kat is in hospital and her baby, Tommy, is unattended, Ronnie swaps the infants. The storyline received over 6,000 complaints, making it the second most complained about EastEnders storyline. It was then decided to end the storyline earlier than originally planned. It
64695-407: The storyline, Roxy and Jack agreed to keep their affair secret, while Roxy appropriated Sean Slater as the father, and married him. "The storyline presented Ronnie with grief, disbelief and anger and the temporary breakdown of her relationship as well as her gradual coming to terms with her loss and the efforts to re-build her life following the tragedy. This underlined the fact to viewers that whilst
64980-462: The storyline. Marc Elliott added: "The storyline got whipped up into a massive frenzy. It's not representative in any way, shape or form of mothers who have lost their babies." EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer has also praised the plot for its "great acting". In an interview with Take It Easy , asked whether the show's bosses handled the storyline well, Palmer replied: "I think they did. I know there's been loads of bad press, but something like that
65265-427: The strategy for the corporation, assesses the performance of the BBC's executive board in delivering the BBC's services, and appoints the director-general. Ofcom is responsible for the regulation of the BBC. The board consists of the following members: The executive committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the broadcaster. Consisting of senior managers of the BBC, the committee meets once per month and
65550-451: The strength of character and unique moral code the name implies." Simons deemed the two "the next generation" of the Mitchells, "A newer, younger, slightly more modern type". The characters were created by EastEnders ' story producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins , who always intended for Ronnie to be played by Womack. In the 2009 documentary "The Secret Mitchell", he cited the actress' beauty, toughness and fragility as facets suitable for
65835-412: The truth. Crace observed that Danielle was intrigued by Ronnie and the Mitchells, but also worried that she was too different from them and might be a disappointment to Ronnie. Danielle became pregnant, which was used as a plot-device to bring the two closer together, with Ronnie supporting her when she chose to have an abortion. The writers deliberately played on the tragedy of Ronnie being unaware that she
66120-626: The two should meet up. Claudette reappears when her son Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ) introduces her to her new granddaughter Pearl , and his wife Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson ). Claudette is angry that she had to wait so long to meet Pearl. She is hostile towards Kim, her sister Denise Fox ( Diane Parish ) and their family friend Patrick Trueman ( Rudolph Walker ), as she believes that they have stolen Vincent from her. When Les' grandson, Paul Coker ( Jonny Labey ), arrives in Walford, he reveals that he knows Les and Claudette are having an affair. Les decides to stop meeting Claudette but she
66405-563: The value of the artist as a visible music-hall performer". On the other hand, the BBC was "keenly interested" in a cooperation with the recording companies who "in recent years ... have not been slow to make records of singers, orchestras, dance bands, etc. who have already proved their power to achieve popularity by wireless." Radio plays were so popular that the BBC had received 6,000 manuscripts by 1929, most of them written for stage and of little value for broadcasting: "Day in and day out, manuscripts come in, and nearly all go out again through
66690-474: The website Iloverandr.com . The prize consisted of VIP tickets to a special party, which was to be attended by EastEnders actors and Radio 1 DJ Dave Pearce . Despite inviting the winners to attend, Radio 1 cancelled the event due to orders from BBC director general Mark Thompson , who called a halt to all BBC radio, TV and online competitions following a review of its programming, which uncovered scores of editorial breaches. Radio 1 reportedly decided to cancel
66975-500: The wedding. Jack and Ronnie have sex but she returns to Walford alone, fearing she will break Jack's heart. However, Jack follows her and says he wants to spend his life with her. Unknown to Ronnie, a stalker leaves a wreath outside her house saying "RIP Ronnie Mitchell". Funeral director Les Coker ( Roger Sloman ) informs Ronnie that someone emailed him that she had died, so Jack wonders who might want revenge on her and Sharon tells him she killed Carl, which angers him until Ronnie says it
67260-507: The whole story up to con him out of his businesses. Karin collects her final payment. She assures Max it was not personal, tells him "Karin Smart" is not her real name and leaves. Sister Ruth , played by June Whitfield , appears in three episodes on 1 May 2015, and 5 and 6 January 2016. Ruth is a nun at a care home for nuns that had previously been the nunnery where Kat Moon ( Jessie Wallace ) gave birth to her daughter Zoe Slater ( Michelle Ryan ) 31 years previously. Kat wants closure as Zoe
67545-814: The year. Matthew Cotton (also Mitchell Cotton ), portrayed by Zack Karbritz, is the son of Charlie Cotton ( Declan Bennett ) and Ronnie Mitchell ( Samantha Womack ). He is born during the episode broadcast on 1 January 2015 on his parents' wedding day. Matthew is born after Ronnie is involved in a car accident. She is later placed in a coma, due to her injuries. Her sister, Roxy Mitchell ( Rita Simons ) and her boyfriend Aleks Shirovs ( Kristian Kiehling ) look after Matthew when Charlie refuses to see him, due to Ronnie's absence. Charlie's father, Nick Cotton ( John Altman ), takes Matthew from Roxy, attempting to force Charlie to see his son but Charlie refuses and gives him back to Roxy. Aleks suggests naming him Matthew after Nick's mother Dot Branning ( June Brown ) quotes from
67830-558: The year. However this was not the case and Ronnie departed on 7 July 2011 after being sent to prison for kidnapping Tommy. In April 2013, Womack said of her departure, "I think it was definitely the right time to give the character a break. The danger is that if you get one character who is subject to so much trauma, angst and depression, it becomes difficult to play it realistically." In September 2012, Inside Soap named Ronnie's exit as their number 8 happy ending, "Bit of an odd [exit] this. Yes, Ronnie's first child died in her arms on
68115-444: The £700 million cost for free TV licences for the over-75 pensioners, and rapid inflation in drama and sport coverage costs, was given as the reason. Duplication of management and content spending would be reduced, and there would be a review of BBC News . In September 2019, the BBC launched the Trusted News Initiative to work with news and social media companies to combat disinformation about national elections. In 2020,
68400-441: Was Jade Masood (Amaya Edward), the long-lost daughter of Shabnam Masood ( Rakhee Thakrar ) and Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ). After Kathy Sullivan 's ( Gillian Taylforth ) surprise return during the 30th anniversary in February, her husband Gavin Sullivan ( Paul Nicholas ) made his debut in August. September saw the arrivals of Max Branning 's ( Jake Wood ) prosecution lawyer Hazel Warren ( Clare Higgins ) and Louie Beale ,
68685-410: Was "a long, long, long time coming" and called the character "mysterious". Carmel Kazemi , played by Bonnie Langford , made her first screen appearance on 26 May 2015. The character and Langford's casting was announced on 5 April 2015. The actress began filming her first scenes in the same month. Of her casting, Langford said "I'm so thrilled and delighted to be part of EastEnders . I'm a great fan of
68970-483: Was "just doing her job". Wallace told Bang Showbiz :"I stand by it. We're actors at the end of the day, we do our job and then we go home. It's drama, that's it." She also praised Womack's acting and vowed to move on to "bigger and better things" after she departed. She added: "[Samantha is] a fantastic actress who played a brilliant role in a fantastic storyline so I wish her all the best." Co-star Nina Wadia praised Womack and Wallace for their "acting skills" during
69255-413: Was a "brilliant opportunity to bring new characters in". Claudette is shown to be having what looks like an affair with Les Coker ( Roger Sloman ) when he visits her at a café and gives her a necklace. Later that night, while he and his wife, Pam Coker ( Lin Blakley ), are celebrating their wedding anniversary, Les gets a text from Claudette, thanking him for her necklace. Claudette and Les meet again
69540-487: Was a relationship on the show I really enjoyed. There are no plans [for Ronnie to return] at the moment but I definitely wouldn't rule it out. I love the show and I love the character. I miss the character enormously." On 17 May 2013, show bosses announced that Womack would return to EastEnders as Ronnie for six months. It was said that Ronnie's return will form a major part of summer and autumn storylines. Speaking of her comeback, Womack said: "I am thrilled to be returning to
69825-442: Was a widely reported urban myth that, upon resumption of the BBC television service after the war, announcer Leslie Mitchell started by saying, "As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted ..." In fact, the first person to appear when transmission resumed was Jasmine Bligh and the words said were "Good afternoon, everybody. How are you? Do you remember me, Jasmine Bligh ... ?" The European Broadcasting Union
70110-454: Was adopted by a family in Ireland shortly after. Ruth then relays her experiences of losing her children to an airstrike in World War II . Ruth then reveals to Kat that Viv telephoned someone that night who must have known about the son, and Kat discovers that it was her grandmother Mo Harris ( Laila Morse ). Whitfield's casting was announced at the same time as that of Jan Harvey in the role of Margaret Midhurst , on 5 March 2015. Whitfield
70395-446: Was adopted in Canada. Through collaboration with these state-run broadcasting centres, Reith left a legacy of cultural influence across the empire of Great Britain with his departure from the corporation in 1938. Experimental television broadcasts were started in 1929, using an electromechanical 30-line system developed by John Logie Baird . Limited regular broadcasts using this system began in 1932, and an expanded service (now named
70680-575: Was allegedly Shakil's former girlfriend, Bex Fowler ( Jasmine Armfield ) who sent them, although it was really Louise Mitchell ( Tilly Keeper ). Due to the tension between the Kazemis and the Fowlers, Martin and Stacey decide that Carmel should keep her distance from her grandson, which Carmel reacts badly to, and in the argument, she and Stacey physically fight after Carmel made a comment on Stacey's mental health. In April 2017, she becomes close to Max Branning ( Jake Wood ), after he helps her make amends with Stacey, and also helps her with an interview for
70965-403: Was an accident and threatens to show the police her neck bruises if Patrick calls the police on her, but Donna sees past this, saying that Claudette's fostering her was just an attempt to lessen Claudette's guilt. Vincent tells Claudette to leave Walford for good or he will tell Gavin where she is. Claudette visits Pearl privately and says goodbye to her, promising that she will come back soon. At
71250-401: Was announced on 1 March 2015. The role of Claudette marks Thomas' fourth time on EastEnders , she previously appeared as Pearl Chadwick in 1990, Estella Hulton in 2002 and Grace Olubunmi between 2010 and 2011. Speaking of Thomas and her character, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins commented "Ellen Thomas belongs on EastEnders . Albert Square now has a new steely matriarch – with
71535-416: Was announced on 17 January 2015. Blackwood praised bosses for the character of Vincent, stating he knew that his portrayal would surprise viewers given his comedy background. He is described on the BBC website as: 'a smooth operator, whose easy charm and quick wittedness covers a steely, ruthless streak and a reputation as a bit of a bad boy.' The BBC then go on to also state that Vincent 'believes himself to be
71820-423: Was announced on 2 February 2015. Of her casting, she stated "I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders , as I've been a fan of the series for years. 2015 marks the show's 30th anniversary, so it feels even more special to be part of this year's celebration." Van Outen described Karin as manipulative, cheeky and mischievous and revealed that her character would "cause chaos for two men", adding that "it won't just be
72105-539: Was confirmed that Jade would make a return to the show, with the role recast to Elizabeth Green. She appeared in 35 episodes between 11 December 2023 and 25 April 2024. She was conceived during a one-night stand in 2008 and Shabnam named her Roya and gave her up for adoption. However, she was fostered, not adopted and Dean's mother, Shirley Carter ( Linda Henry ), tracks Jade down after being given her address by Shabnam's father, Masood Ahmed ( Nitin Ganatra ). Shabnam decides she wants to be part of Jade's life, following
72390-422: Was divided on how to handle the BBC, but ended up trusting Reith, whose opposition to the strike mirrored the PM's own. Although Winston Churchill in particular wanted to commandeer the BBC to use it "to the best possible advantage", Reith wrote that Stanley Baldwin 's government wanted to be able to say "that they did not commandeer [the BBC], but they know that they can trust us not to be really impartial". Thus
72675-415: Was due to leave, she said that Ronnie would still have reasons to return with Roxy still in the cast. She said, "I think she could go back if Jack wasn't there, because it was always the Mitchell sisters. I know Ronnie had a love affair and she got married, but what I loved about the character was her relationship with her sibling. It was nice being with another woman and doing most of our scenes together. That
72960-464: Was encouraging the abortion of her own grandchild. Ronnie failed to attend Danielle's second clinic appointment, which Crace stated left her character "hurt and distraught" and less willing to confide the truth in Ronnie than ever. On Ronnie's part, Womack assessed that her character was unaware why she had bonded with Danielle. She deemed her totally unaware of any physical resemblance between herself and Danielle, and stated that she had never entertained
73245-412: Was established under a royal charter , and operates under an agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport . Its work is funded principally by an annual television licence fee which is charged to all British households, companies, and organisations using any type of equipment to receive or record live television broadcasts or to use the BBC's streaming service, iPlayer . The fee
73530-463: Was established, which led to the start of a relationship in early 2008. The on-screen affair between Ronnie and Jack has reportedly been hard for actors Samantha Womack and Scott Maslen , as off-screen they are close friends – Womack's husband is best friends with Maslen, and Womack is best friends with Maslen's wife. Womack has commented, "I was very honest and verbal about [being freaked out] [...] Our first kissing scene felt really uncomfortable, it
73815-441: Was followed by the Government's acceptance of the recommendation made by the Crawford Committee (1925–26) that the British Broadcasting Company be replaced by a non-commercial, Crown-chartered organisation: the British Broadcasting Corporation. The British Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on 1 January 1927, and Reith – newly knighted – was appointed its first director general. To represent its purpose and (stated) values,
74100-425: Was formed on 12 February 1950, in Torquay with the BBC among the 23 founding broadcasting organisations. Competition to the BBC was introduced in 1955, with the commercial and independently operated television network of Independent Television (ITV) . However, the BBC monopoly on radio services would persist until 8 October 1973 when under the control of the newly renamed Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA),
74385-516: Was her biological father, fearing that her son Dennis Rickman (Harry Hickles/Bleu Landau) could be a product of incest. Margaret assures Sharon that Den was not her biological father but reveals that Den had not wanted the adoption discussed at The Queen Victoria public house , making Sharon conclude that her biological father was someone Den knew. Sharon later arranges for Carol Jackson ( Lindsey Coulson ) to meet Margaret and she offers to represent Carol's brother Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) when he
74670-440: Was his favourite "subtle touch" for the show's birthday celebrations, as Pearl is the gift traditionally given on a 30th anniversary. While Heat 's Kay Ribeiro was disappointed that Kim did not name her after Queen Victoria, considering where she was born. Ribeiro also thought that Kim would have chosen "something suitably flashy and fabulous but chose the surprisingly demure name, Pearl. Oh well, each to their own." Katy Brent from
74955-473: Was in her coma, she slept with Charlie in their upsets. Ronnie forgives her and tries to move forward, but has doubts about her marriage. When Vincent's wife Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson ) discovers that Ronnie and Vincent had dated before, she accuses Ronnie of having an affair with him, but she assures her that they are no longer together. On returning home, Ronnie sets up cameras to spy on Charlie and Roxy, paranoid they might sleep together again. Roxy starts
75240-452: Was involved in a dodgy business. Max dismisses Jay and goes on to form a deal with Karin at the car lot, and the two later end up having sex, though it is implied that Phil had meant this to happen. The following morning, Karin visits Phil and he pays her a large sum of money; she leaves. Jay later reveals to Max that the cars Karin has supplied him with are stolen, so Max orders Karin to return and collect them. However, he changes his mind after
75525-453: Was its first director of music. The company was to be financed by a royalty on the sale of BBC wireless receiving sets from approved domestic manufacturers. To this day, the BBC aims to follow the Reithian directive to "inform, educate and entertain". The financial arrangements soon proved inadequate. Set sales were disappointing as amateurs made their own receivers and listeners bought rival unlicensed sets. By mid-1923, discussions between
75810-406: Was left to BBC Radio broadcasters such as Reginald Foort to keep the nation's spirits up. The BBC moved most of its radio operations out of London, initially to Bristol , and then to Bedford . Concerts were broadcast from the Bedford Corn Exchange ; the Trinity Chapel in St Paul's Church, Bedford was the studio for the daily service from 1941 to 1945, and, in the darkest days of the war in 1941,
76095-486: Was made explicit for the duration of its current broadcast licence, as was the prohibition on advertising. To avoid competition with newspapers, Fleet Street persuaded the government to ban news bulletins before 7 pm and the BBC was required to source all news from external wire services. The Radio Times , the world's first and longest-running radio and television listings magazine, was launched by Reith in September 1923. The first edition, subtitled "The official organ of
76380-533: Was made from the factory of Marconi Company in Chelmsford in June 1920. It was sponsored by the Daily Mail ' s Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe and featured the famous Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba . The Melba broadcast caught the people's imagination and marked a turning point in the British public's attitude to radio. However, this public enthusiasm was not shared in official circles where such broadcasts were held to interfere with important military and civil communications. By late 1920,
76665-400: Was mentioned in the show. Digital Spy writer Charlotte Whistlecroft said, "it would make sense given how desperate Ruth was to tell Kat the truth about her secret son." Oliver "Ollie" Carter is the youngest son of Linda Carter ( Kellie Bright ) and Mick Carter ( Danny Dyer ), born prematurely on 12 May 2015 after Linda experiences a fall down the stairs. Ollie is originally portrayed by
76950-400: Was modified later on in its life to offer documentaries. In 2002, several television and radio channels were reorganised. BBC Knowledge was replaced by BBC Four and became the BBC's arts and documentaries channel. CBBC , which had been a programming strand as Children's BBC since 1985, was split into CBBC and CBeebies , for younger children, with both new services getting a digital channel:
77235-411: Was nominated for the "Best Newcomer" award at The Inside Soap Awards 2015 for her portrayal of Carmel. She also won the "Best Newcomer" award at The British Soap Awards in 2016 for her portrayal of Carmel. In September 2016, Laura-Jane Tyler of Inside Soap described Carmel as the "life and soul of Walford" amid a time for the show when it was "on a low gas". In July 2018, Langford was longlisted for
77520-466: Was originally announced to be appearing in a single episode. She said of her initial filming, "I have watched EastEnders for years, and have been so impressed by the standard of acting. It was an absolute delight to work with Jessie Wallace and I am very excited to be part of the show." Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said, "We are extremely privileged to have two British television legends joining us for guest roles as Albert Square heads into
77805-410: Was reorganised and relaunched in 1995, as BBC Worldwide Ltd. In 1998, BBC studios, outside broadcasts, post production, design, costumes and wigs were spun off into BBC Resources Ltd. The BBC Research & Development has played a major part in the development of broadcasting and recording techniques. The BBC was also responsible for the development of the NICAM stereo standard. In recent decades,
78090-479: Was replaced by BBC Two HD in the same month. On 18 October 2007, BBC Director General Mark Thompson announced a controversial plan to make major cuts and reduce the size of the BBC as an organisation. The plans included a reduction in posts of 2,500; including 1,800 redundancies, consolidating news operations, reducing programming output by 10% and selling off the flagship Television Centre building in London. These plans were fiercely opposed by unions, who threatened
78375-435: Was reported by the Daily Star Sunday that Ronnie experiences a change of heart after visiting relatives in hospital and seeing the midwife who delivered her son. An EastEnders spokesperson said, "We do not comment on future storylines but we have always said Ronnie will do the right thing and Tommy will be reunited with Kat." Wallace revealed that she doesn't regret her involvement of the baby-swap storyline, saying that she
78660-490: Was reported by the Daily Star Sunday that when Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) and his daughter Abi ( Lorna Fitzgerald ) are injured in an accident, Ronnie visits Max in the hospital where she gave birth to James, sees the midwife who delivered the child and it triggers the start of the baby swap reveal storyline. It was reported that her last storyline would evolve around Michael Moon becoming obsessed with her and stalking her, which will build up to her on-screen exit later in
78945-475: Was resurrected later in the year, facilitating a plot twist whereby Jack, angered after another break-up with Ronnie, was seduced by Roxy as revenge for Ronnie interfering in her love life. This resulted in a "who's the daddy?" storyline, which began in April 2008 and continued throughout the year, with both Jack and Sean Slater ( Robert Kazinsky ) potential candidates for the father of Roxy's unborn child, though Ronnie remained unaware of Jack and Roxy's liaison. In
79230-406: Was revealed on 10 March 2015, when it was said he would be part of Stan's exit storyline. Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said, "Stan becomes infuriated by Cyril's presence but something tells us that before the inevitable heartbreaking finale of the tale, the pair could become good friends a la Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in The Bucket List ", and said that Sachs' appearance in the show
79515-401: Was self-defence. Ronnie receives flowers with a card reading "RIP", and discovers the person who sent them gave their name as Danielle Jones. Ronnie confronts Hannah, who denies it all and Ronnie believes her, but Jack discovers Hannah's name was on the credit card that paid for the flowers, so Ronnie tells Hannah she knows she sent the flowers. Hannah steps into the road while holding Matthew and
79800-440: Was set at Archie's wedding to Peggy. Santer explained: "Weddings are great because they bring the community together. A wedding gives you a stage, it gives you an event, the context to play things out, so it felt right that these big Mitchell stories would collide at Peggy's wedding." Writer James Payne concurred that setting the reveal at the wedding helped to make the moment "as dramatic and sensational" as it could possibly be. In
80085-400: Was terrible, but we're over it now [...] Both our sons are slightly freaked out that one mummy seems to be kissing the other daddy, but they've been on so many film sets that they're used to us doing ludicrous things." In the storyline, Ronnie's association with Jack caused aggravation with her family, due to Jack's rivalry with her cousin Phil, and resentment from her sister, Roxy. However,
80370-414: Was the product of rape by her uncle Harry Slater ( Michael Elphick ). Ruth was present at the birth and remembers it in detail. She and Kat discuss things and Ruth helps Kat to move on with her life. After Kat leaves, Ruth and Sister Judith ( Sandy McDade ) look at the birth record, seeing that Kat gave birth to twins, Zoe and a boy. When Kat returns from Spain after winning the lottery, she agrees to make
80655-683: Was told by Claudette that Henry was killed by Eric 34 years previously on Christmas Eve after a confrontation when Vincent was a child. A drunken Phil kidnaps Pearl which leads to an altercation between Vincent and Phil. Vincent says that Eric killed his father but Phil says Henry just left Walford. The feud between the Mitchells and Hubbards leads to the death of innocent Fatboy ( Ricky Norwood ), so Vincent tells Claudette that their feud killed him and they should end it, but this infuriates Claudette who then compares him to his father and accidentally lets slip that Henry did not die when she said he did. When Ronnie's mother Glenda Mitchell ( Glynis Barber ) makes
80940-446: Was trying to find him. After Gavin gets money from Vincent Hubbard ( Richard Blackwood ) after attempting to blackmail his mother Claudette Hubbard ( Ellen Thomas ), a former associate of Gavin's, and from Sharon, who wants him to leave Walford forever, he meets Margaret and it is revealed she is in on his plan, but is against his next plan, which she calls "insane". Several months later, Margaret visits Sharon and tells her that Gavin
81225-413: Was ultimately revealed she was aiding his cross-dressing , her history with the Mitchell family , a feud with Babe Smith ( Annette Badland ) and ultimately being left for dead and buried alive by her son Vincent after revealing she was responsible for the death of her husband. On 13 September 2016, it was confirmed that Thomas would depart her role as Claudette and would leave the soap after being axed by
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