Winter wonderland!
The Eastenders gang go bump in the night…
With more than their fair share of troubles between the teens of Walford, winter is certainly no wonderland. So Inside Soap invited stars Zack Morris (Keegan), Tilly Keeper (Louise), along with Maisie Smith (Tiff) and Clair Norris (Bernie) to join us for a bit of light relief at our Christmas celebration – where they reminded us that you’re never too old for a spin on the dodgems… Welcome to Inside Soap’s winter wonderland! Do you enjoy fairgrounds at this time of year? Maisie I’m like a big kid at Christmas, as you can probably tell! I just get so excited.
Tilly Zack doesn’t like the cold, though, do you?
Zack No, but Christmas fairs can be pretty sick. They're lovely – however, if you want a burger, go with your pockets full [laughs]. It can be expensive. Clair I wouldn’t go on a date with you! Could you imagine? Zack I used to work at a cinema – I had to save my wages!
What about the rides – are you all thrill-seekers?
Maisie I get there early so that I can tackle everything. Anything that gets my heart pumping, I absolutely love.
Zack I didn’t like them when I was younger, as I was scared of heights – but I recently went to Florida, and now I love them. The bigger, the better.
Clair I hate rides, if I’m being completely honest!
Tilly I’m not big on them, either – I’m such an old lady when it comes to that sort of stuff. But I really love doing Christmassy things. I always go to a show on Christmas
Eve, and I enjoy seeing all the pretty lights on Oxford Street in London.
Well, we hear Louise is going to have a little twinkle of her own this Yuletide – for Keegan’s brother, Keanu! What did you make of that juicy twist?
Tilly I was filming with Zack, and then Danny [Walters, who plays Keanu] told me about it – I said, “But Louise is already taken!” So, I was quite surprised in that sense, although my script editor then said to me, “Tilly, stop right there – do you know how lucky you are right now?”
A Mitchell blonde torn between two brothers… this could end up being the new ‘Sharongate’!
Tilly I don’t know if it’ll be as epic as that! But Sharon [who is having a secret affair with Keanu] can’t really blame Louise after everything that she went through with Phil and Grant. Meanwhile, do you reckon that Keegan will find himself distracted by the return of his father Mitch? Zack Absolutely, and many questions will be asked of Mitch by the Taylor family. Keegan was stabbed – and his father was nowhere to be seen.
Clair For Bernadette, he just comes waltzing back into Walford after stealing Mr Murray’s money. But as always with the Taylors, there will be fun scenes too.
The Slater family is right at the heart of all the Christmas drama this year. What is it like for you, Maisie, working with everyone that lives in that house? Maisie Lots of fun – I think there's about 16 of us in there! It’s great having Shane
Sharon can't really blame Louise after what she went through with Phil and Grant! Tilly
[Richie, who plays Alfie] back. I’ve known him since I was six years old when I joined
Eastenders. I have an Albert Square sign from when I left the show the first time, and his message to me said, “See you on the other side, Mais” – and I did!
Do you find it odd looking back at old pictures of yourself when you were in the show at a young age?
Maisie Yeah, I do! I feel like a completely different person from when I first started out on Eastenders. When people think of Tiffany, they just see the little girl – I saw an article on a website a while back with the headline, ‘10 shocking celebs grown up’, and I was on there!
Away from Albert Square, do you all have lots of fun things planned for the Christmas period?
Clair It’s actually my 21st birthday on the 30th of December. I’ve booked a house in Brighton for a few nights to celebrate – I’m going to have a pamper session one night, and on the next a Friends-themed party for all my mates. Tilly She’s going all out!
Maisie I’m not old enough to go, but when I’m 18 in seven months’ time, everyone is going to be sick of me!
And now to the most important question – which was the winning team on the dodgems today?
Clair It was obviously Team Taylor – Zack and I were the champions!
Tilly Sorry, Maisie, but with me driving we were always going to lose. I actually had to ask how to hold the steering wheel! I want to be on Zack’s team next time…
Perhaps it was Louise and Tiff’s on-screen rivalry that let you down. They should bond more!
Tilly Maisie and I were talking about this the other day. They are actually really similar – so if they just gave in to it, they would probably get on.
Maisie They are both quite rude and love themselves, so I think together they would make the best team!