“I just can’t imagine Linda without Mick!”
KELLIE BRIGHT REVEALS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR LINDA IN WALFORD…
As soon as Danny Dyer announced he was leaving EastEnders, loads of my friends asked if I was going as well!” laughs Kellie Bright, prompting Inside Soap to admit we too feared the worst, and that Linda would be following Mick off into the sunset when he departs later this year!
When we get the chance to catch up with Kellie, there is obviously lots to talk about, including this week’s dramatic car crash, Linda’s war with Janine and Kellie’s return to work after the birth of her third child. But our most burning question is to ask the actress if Mick’s imminent exit means the end for L. So come on Kellie, put us out of our misery…
I’m happy to stay at the moment, although I’m obviously sad to see Danny go. He’s my best friend here – we’ve been together since the beginning and I’m really going to miss him. He wants to do other things and I support him as a mate, but at the same time, it’s sad for me.
What does the future hold for Linda after Mick leaves?
Hand on heart, I don’t have a clue what the show has planned for Linda after Mick has gone – I haven’t asked and feel as if I can’t quite go there yet! I want to enjoy the rest of my time here with Danny and we’re so busy, I don’t feel the need to look that far ahead yet. They might decide Linda doesn’t work without Mick one day!
Have you thought about who could be her next love interest?
That’s the bit I find the hardest, I just can’t imagine her with anyone else. I know she had the dalliance with Max, but there was no love there. That was about Linda swapping her addiction to drink for sex and love – she wasn’t getting any attention from Mick and didn’t know what was wrong with him. I think that she regrets being with Max, as the only person she has ever loved is Mick.
Are you pleased EastEnders has revisited Linda’s alcoholism?
At first I was worried. I’d just had a baby, so it was a big story to come back to – I wasn’t eased back in after being on maternity leave! It was daunting and I wanted to do it justice, and not undermine anything I’d done before. Playing drunk is one of the hardest things to do as an actor, but I appreciate Linda’s addiction is an ongoing struggle and can’t just be put in a box.
Do you think she can overcome it?
I know for some people they can get to sobriety and then that’s it, but
I just don’t believe that is the situation for Linda. It’s also a fine line for the viewers to accept, as you don’t want to repeat the storyline too much.
This could risk people possibly losing sympathy for the character, so I want to honour the truth of the long-term arc that alcohol is her big demon.
Why do you think Linda turned to drink in the first place?
For me it goes all the way back to when she was raped by Dean. From that moment on, her life changed – suddenly she didn’t live in a safe world any more. She’s a publican, so drink was always going to be a part of her life, but it went beyond something she did socially and became a crutch.
How would you feel if Janine ousted Linda as landlady of the Queen Vic?
Anything could happen! I don’t mind where they put me. Wherever she works, Linda has to be the front person. She loves putting her face on and meeting the public: she thrives off it. I loved it when Linda worked in the launderette after Sharon took over the Vic, that was so much fun. It would be odd if she was suddenly off doing a telesales job or something, I can’t see her working at the Panesars’ call centre, put it that way!
Talking of Janine, could Linda take her in a fight?
She brings out a darker side of Linda, who is pink and fluffy but has a very strong centre. Working with Charlie [Brooks, aka Janine] is a joy, Janine is a fantastic character and on a personal and professional level, it’s great having her to spar with. Janine loves winding up Linda – Charlie did this hilarious improvisation in a scene recently where she called her “Lindy-pops!” Genius!
We have the big crash this week, but what else is coming up for Linda and Janine?
It’s only going to get worse, that’s all I can say right now, so keep watching.
I hope the audience goes for it because I’m enjoying myself!
Finally, we’re still reeling from the royal visit for the Jubilee – how will you look back on that?
I had met Prince Charles about 20 or so years ago when I was in the radio soap, The Archers [Kellie played Kate Aldridge from 1995 to 2004], so I wasn’t worried about meeting him again – and of course he was just as lovely and charming as I remembered. Those episodes will be remembered as golden telly!