They shared the screen together for 13 years on EastEnders, but you might not have realised Linda Henry and Tameka Empson have history way before their days on Albert Square. The actresses, who are best known for their roles as Shirley Carter and Kim Fox on the BBC soap, previously starred together in 1996 film Beautiful Thing.
![[Linda Henry and Tameka Empson stand behind some rocks in the film Beautiful Thing]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_231781585-3e74.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The movie tells the story of two gay teenagers who live next door to each other on a council estate in Thamesmead, London. Linda played one of the boys’ mothers, Sandra Gangel, while Tameka played their friend Leah Russell. Written by playwright Jonathan Harvey – who went on to work on Coronation Street for 20 years – it is based on his original play of the same name and features the music of The Mamas & the Papas and ‘Mama’ Cass Elliot.
![[Leah, Jamie and Ste in Beautiful Thing]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AN_100909607-22f1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
EastEnders fans have been remembering the British rom-com after a post about it began circulating on Facebook. ‘I barely recognised our Shirley,’ wrote one fan. ‘Brilliant film!! Pure comedy but touching too!’ one person commented. ‘Loved the film. Linda & Tameka were so young,’ another said.
![[Shirley Carter stands behind the bar of the Queen Vic in EastEnders]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_216288842-3f66.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A fourth added: ‘Tameka is hilarious in this.’. Some fans were also quick to point out there were more EastEnders connections to the film. The late Anna Karen, who played Peggy’s sister Aunt Sal in the soap, also appeared as a character called Marlene.
![[Kim Fox sits in a chair in EastEnders]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_205904861-8f09.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
