EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer has been a familiar face on our TV screens since the 1980s, but away from the soap, the actress has a very different life with her family

EastEnders legend Bianca Jackson is back on our screens, with Patsy Palmer reprising the role she first took on 31 years ago. The fiery character first arrived in Walford with the Jackson clan in 1993 and quickly won over viewers.

Famed for her bold fashion choices, including a standout silver puffer jacket, Bianca is a loud-mouthed mum with a fiercely loyal streak and a heart of gold. She was last seen in Walford earlier this year as part of Whitney Dean’s (Shona McGarty) exit plot, but now she’s returned to confront Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).

As regular viewers of the BBC One soap will know, Bianca’s younger sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) is currently in jail on remand, accused of murdering Reiss’ comatose wife Debbie Colwell (Jenny Meier). However, it was actually Reiss who committed the heinous act, and pregnant Sonia is being framed for the crime.

Bianca has previously voiced her concerns about Reiss, and in upcoming scenes, she storms back into the Square, bringing Debbie’s wake to an abrupt halt as she demands answers about Debbie’s death and Sonia’s imprisonment.

A guilt-ridden Reiss panics and runs from the Vic. Back at home, Bianca accuses Reiss of murdering Debbie, and it seems he’s on the verge of confessing, reports the Mirror.

Will Bianca manage to extract the truth from the murderous accountant? As Patsy Palmer steps back into Bianca’s shoes, let’s take a look at her life outside of the limelight.

The 52-year-old actress, originally named Julie Anne Harris and hailing from Bethnal Green, London, rose to stardom after securing the role of Natasha on BBC’s Grange Hill between 1985 and 1987. This stint on the children’s TV series paved the way for her significant role in EastEnders.

Bianca is a household name in EastEnders, largely due to her stormy relationship with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen). Her notorious ‘Ricckaaayyyyyy’ yell made her one of the most cherished characters in the history of the show.

She first appeared on the Square from 1993 to 1999 before making a comeback in 2008 until 2014. Five years later, Bianca made another much-anticipated return for Whitney’s doomed wedding to Callum Highway ( Tony Clay ).

This week, Patsy will reprise her role as Bianca who is on a mission.

Life in Malibu

Acting isn’t Patsy’s only forte – she also moonlights as a DJ. In 2020, she delighted EastEnders fans when she was revealed as The Butterfly on ITV’s The Masked Singer UK, and she also took part in last year’s series of Dancing on Ice.

Away from the limelight, Patsy is an entrepreneur, establishing Good and Proper Hair, a hair product company. In 2014, Patsy moved to Malibu with her husband Richard and their children, where she has been living her American dream in a stunning home.

Patsy frequently posts on Instagram, offering glimpses of her spacious Malibu residence, which offers ample space for her children and breathtaking views.

Patsy’s famous family

Acting talent certainly runs in the family for Patsy Palmer, as her son Charley Palmer Rothwell is also making waves in the TV industry. The 32-year-old actor, originally from Bethnal Green, has an impressive list of credits to his name.

He recently starred as Matthew Brannon in ITV’s drama series The Tower and played Cousin Mark in the series Big Boys.

Charley hasn’t just been busy on the small screen; he’s also made a name for himself in the film world. This year alone, he’s appeared in films such as Midas Man and Stable, as well as TV series A Gentleman in Moscow and Industry.

In 2015, Charley shared the big screen with Tom Hardy in Legend, playing the role of Leslie Holt. Two years later, he was seen in the war epic Dunkirk alongside Harry Styles and Cillian Murphy.

His other notable roles include appearances in Darkest Hour, Ripper Street, My Name is Lenny, Our Girl, Casualty, and more.

Interestingly, Patsy shares a real-life connection with her on-screen mother Carol Jackson, played by Lindsey Coulson. Carol, who is also the mother of Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy) and elder sister to Max (Jake Wood) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), is known for her hardworking nature and dedication to her family.

Just like her daughter Bianca, Carol has had several stints on and off the show, last appearing in 2015. In one particularly shocking storyline, Carol discovered that her boyfriend Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass) was having an affair with her own daughter Bianca.

The revelation of Bianca’s dad being David Wicks (played by Michael French) is another memorable storyline, with the character set to return to EastEnders soon.

Away from the small screen, Lindsey, who hails from Edmonton in London, is wedded to Patsy’s real-life brother, Harry Harris, making them actual sisters-in-law in reality.

It’s reported that Harry works as a psychotherapist, while Lindsey has continued her acting career with notable roles in TV shows like Bulletproof, The Bay, The Level and The Diplomat. The couple are believed to have been blissfully married since their nuptials in 2002.