A soap star to shout about... QUICK FACT
MARION MCMULLEN looks back at Eastender Bianca Jackson’s arrival in Walford 30 years ago
THE not-so-dulcet tones of Eastenders’ Bianca loudly shouting “RICKY” will forever be a part of soap history.
Actress Patsy Palmer had made her mark as Natasha in the BBC children’s drama series Grange Hill during the 1980s, but she became a household name when she took on the role on Bianca Jackson in Eastenders 30 years ago on November 16,
1993.
Patsy appeared on ITV’S Dancing On Ice earlier this year and was partnered with Matt Evers, both right. They were the fourth couple to be eliminated from the competition. Spice Girl Emma Bunton delivered a video call to Patsy ahead of her performance as Geri Horner during the show’s icons week theme, telling the then 50-year-old Patsy: “Everyone is so proud of you”.
Bianca was part of the Jackson family which also included Lindsey Coulson as mum Carol, her partner Alan (Howard Antony) and children Natalie Cassidy as Sonia, Dean
WEDDED BLISS? Ricky (Sid Owen) and Bianca (Patsy Palmer) tie the knot in 1997
Gaffney as Robbie and Billie as Devon.
Patsy was 20 when she joined Eastenders, but did not tell TV bosses that she was a single mum with a son called Charley who had been born the previous year.
Patsy later said: “I thought there was no way on earth I would get the job if they knew, so I kept it quiet.
“The industry didn’t favour people
with children, especially women.”
Her character is fondly remembered as one half of stormy Eastenders couple Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) and Bianca.
They were involved in a number of high-profile storylines and their relationship was a hit with viewers. Their on-screen wedding in 1997 was watched by more than 22 million viewers as the Albert at the London Fashion Show in 1995
Square couple finally tied the knot.
Patsy left Eastenders in 1999 before returning to the fictional London borough of Walford for a second stint in 2008 that lasted six years.
The mother-of-four went on to make her home in Los Angeles and escaped her Eastenders catchphrase being shouted at her in public. She said of the move: “There are not as many Rickys here, thank God!”