EastEnders star promises big Bianca revelations
EastEnders welcomes back a legendary character next week as Patsy Palmer reprises her role as Bianca Jackson.
Bianca returns to Walford for Whitney Dean and Callum Highway's wedding, disrupting plans for the big day when she goes AWOL just before the ceremony.
Although Bianca is only back for a few episodes, show bosses have confirmed that her reappearance plants the seeds for a much bigger, long-term storyline involving her loved ones.
Here, Patsy shares some new teasers about what's in store.
How did your return to EastEnders come about?
"My agent got the call from EastEnders saying that they had a story idea for Bianca to come back. I've always thought that if there was a big storyline, like a wedding or something, where it would be weird if Bianca wasn't there, I would go back. This is the first time I've been asked since I last left."
Was it an easy decision?
"Yes of course, very easy. It was a dream."
Can you give us any teasers on Bianca's return storyline?
"Obviously we know Bianca's been away. She comes back for Whitney and Callum's wedding, but like any Walford wedding, things don't quite go to plan… at all.
"Bianca ends up getting in trouble with Kat and it all ends in disaster. It's a classic race to the wedding and whether or not they'll even make it in time."
It's safe to say that trouble is never far behind Bianca. Will it be the same this time?
"Bianca's got a lot of stuff going on that nobody knows about. I don't want to give anything away, but viewers will learn in the coming weeks why Bianca's been so quiet and what's been going on. I'm not going to spoil anything but it does give answers."
What does the wedding day have in store?
"I think Bianca would have loved to have not got into trouble and really been in the thick of it all, but that's just what seems to happen to Bianca, trouble follows her!
"I think Bianca's really proud of Whitney and she's glad to be back to see all her kids, but she does have a bit of hard time because she's been in Milton Keynes and hasn't been there for them."
How would Bianca react if she knew about Callum and Ben?
"I think if she knew everything, she'd be shocked at first and really angry that he'd cheated on Whitney. But if it does all come out, I think Whitney would realise her and Callum would become best friends, and Bianca would just love him I think. Callum's such a sweet guy. But we'll have to wait and see."
Tiffany has been through a lot in recent months. How will things be between her and Bianca?
"Bianca and Tiffany have both got things that they're not telling each other, so it's very hard for them to have a conversation about it. It's the typical family scenario when everyone has their own things going on, but nobody really wants to say anything.
"But I feel like Bianca's trying to protect Tiffany by not telling her certain things. Likewise, Tiffany's doing the same to protect her mother from everything that's happened. Tiffany's a teenager too and although they have been in touch, Bianca just doesn't know all the details of what went on."
Do you think they can get their relationship back on track?
"I think they can, yes. I just feel like, with Bianca, Whitney and Tiffany, they seem to eventually get it all out and then get through it. So, I don't think it would take long for them to re-build that relationship, they just need to be honest with each other."
If you could tease Bianca's return in one sentence, what would you say?
"As always, Bianca has the best intentions and always wants to do the right thing, but amidst the chaos of a wedding, things definitely don't go to plan."
What was your first day back on set like?
"My first scenes were actually in The Vic. It was really nice being back on set and just seeing everyone. It's a really lovely place to be."
How did it feel to get back in Bianca's shoes?
"Well Bianca's costumes have always been way out there, but it was nice this time around putting some new ones on and mixing it up a bit, the new with the old.
"Although the fashion has changed now and everyone seems to be wearing all of the stuff Bianca wears, like the neon outfits. But yes, it's always really good fun."
How did it feel to be reunited with everyone?
"It was really lovely seeing everyone. Obviously the cast that I knew but also all the crew, costume, make up, everyone. It was so lovely. It's such a great place to be."
Had you kept in touch with anyone since leaving?
"I have, a few cast have come over to visit me in America, which was great. And me and Natalie [Cassidy] always have a little text and Shona [McGarty], just to see how we're doing. It's tough though, everyone's so busy but yes we try our best."
Has much changed since you were last on set?
"Well, The Prince Albert is brand new – it's a really cool bar, all glittery, it's perfect! There are a few new sets that I haven't seen, like peoples' houses obviously, which is great, but I think everything looks the same to me. It has to, it's Albert Square."
What was it like walking onto the Square again?
"It was like I'd never left. It's been five years but there's something about this place, it gets into your DNA, for sure. I think it almost becomes a part of you and when you've been in the show so long it becomes a second home. You can switch between your family at home and your work family."
EastEnders airs Bianca's return on Monday, September 2 at 8pm on BBC One.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
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