“Rainie could just flip her lid!”

Tanya Franks lets us in on what a future with Stuart could look like for her alter ego…

Do you reckon Stuart and Rainie make a good couple?

I do! I think it’s an exciting partnership, they’re both such unpredictable characters and they both have dark pasts.

Plus, neither of them is particularly popular among the other characters in Albert Square!

So do you think Stuart will manage to change Rainie’s mind with the second proposal?

Well, what it will come down to for Rainie is accepting that someone does love her – and that Stuart’s really trying to prove his worth and do the right thing by her…

What do you think their wedding would be like if she does accept?

Oh, crumbs!

Well, the writers constantly surprise me with what they manage to find for Rainie and Stuart – so I’m not sure if I can even imagine what they might have up their sleeves. You could say it would be completely traditional, but then it could be something totally outlandish.

Do you think Rainie would make a good wife?

I do. Stuart and Rainie have an understanding, and at times she’s a really good support for him, like he has been for her. They both know what it’s like to overcome demons too. But whoever knows with Rainie? She could just flip her lid – she’s so spontaneous, and she doesn’t really think things through.

What’s it like working alongside Ricky Champ, who plays Stuart?

Oh, we get along very well. We have a lot of fun and laughs. There’s a lot of trust there too and chats – he’s a great energy to have and be working with. It’s lovely, I’m very happy.

What has been your favourite of Rainie’s most hideous moments to play from over the years?

There were a couple of good moments last year. I enjoyed the baby

Abi kidnap storyline– running off and hiding out in the hotel, and dressing like she’s Jackie Onassis. That was really fun to play, really fun!