EastEnders legend Lindsey Coulson has revealed whether she'll be returning to the BBC soap for its 40th anniversary celebrations, opening up about the last live episode that she filmed. The BBC soap is marking its birthday milestone with a dramatic week of special episode, including a live one-hour episode on Wednesday. Next week's episodes will see The Queen Vic go up in flames, with not everyone making it out alive, while Phil Mitchell's mental health declines and Bianca goes into labour as killer Reiss makes his Albert Square return.
While the soap is set to deliver a number of surprises throughout the week, fans are expecting a star or two to return to Walford - with the likes of Ross Kemp and Jamie Winstone back as Grant Mitchell and young Peggy Mitchell making a cameo. Fans have been wondering whether Lindsey Coulson – who played Sonia and Bianca's mum Carol Jackson the soap – will be back in her role after leaving 10 years ago. Now, the star has addressed whether she will be back on the soap for the 40th anniversary.
Dropping by ITV's This Morning to chat about her upcoming role on Waterloo Road, Carol spoke about the big EastEnders milestone and the upcoming live episode, saying: "I won't be there.". Carol appeared in the last live episode back in 2015 and revealed that she was out of her comfort zone. "I had about four lines. I don't find it fun," she said. "My nerves would overtake me. My lips would stick onto my top lip.".
Speaking about the mistakes that were made during the live episode last time - when Jo Joyner referred to Adam Woodyatt by his real name and not his character's name - Carol added: "I supposed that's what you want but as an actor you don't. You go, 'How many people are watching?'". Carol added, however, that she's "really proud" of her time on the soap. "It was such a moment that changed my life really and changed my career. I was so nervous on that first day," she said.
Lindsey made her Waterloo Road debut last night as the school's new headmistress, replacing Jason Manford who played previous headteacher, Steve Savage. Lindsey plays the role of Dame Stella Drake – a strict teacher who is passionate about improving the school. Lindsey said last year after being announced in the role: "It’s a role I haven’t played before so I’m really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach. Waterloo Road tackles social issues head on which is so important to see on television and this series will be no different.".
