Rejoice! Tracey the barmaid finally has her own EastEnders spin-off, after 40 years in the BBC soap.
This is not a drill!
Jane Slaughter, 63, has played silent Tracey since the very first episode, and has become a real fan-favourite during that time.
Tracey is, of course, one of the many named supporting characters that help cement Walford as a real life suburb of East London.
Originally operating a flower stall on the Bridge Street Market, she was taken on as barmaid at The Queen Vic by Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) in 1989. Her presence in the pub often helps explain other characters’ absence from work, allowing them to be at the centre of the drama elsewhere.
Very little is known about the character due to her limited dialogue, though over the years we have found out some tidbits of knowledge about our mysterious Trace.
We know that she’s married, has a son and grandkids, and in 2003 had a one-night stand with Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman).
Two years later she was struck over the head with a crowbar by Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and has resigned or been let go from The Vic many times over the years.
Now fans can finally get to know the icon, as she is celebrated in a special five episode spin-off series.
The instalments of Tracey: A Day in the Life have been produced as part of the EastEnders Multi-Camera Course, where trainee directors got to put their skills to the test.
Tracey’s milestone 60th birthday is explored with guest appearances from Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) and Harriet Thorpe (Elaine Peacock).
Fellow supporting artists Winston (Ulric Browne), Marie (Liz Sweet) and Shrimpy (Ben Champniss) also put in appearances.
In episode one we see her best pal and commuting buddy Sumeera (Rekha John-Cheriyan) planning a surprise celebration, concerned that Tracey’s estranged son Tom (Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins) has forgotten about her.
When he shows up, Tracey is naturally infuriated that he’s cut her off from her grandsons. She explains that she works a lot because she feels lonely and that she’d drop The Vic in a heartbeat to spend time with them.
Steady on, Trace! We don’t want you going anywhere!
It later transpires that he’s only shown up to try and get some money out of his old mum, as he’s fallen on bad times with a loanshark.
Despite making out that he’s still with his wife Angela, his new girlfriend Molly (Aretha Ayeh) soon approaches Tracey – and reveals she’s pregnant.
Amid the animosity, Tom finds it within his heart to apologise for his wrongdoing and presents his mum with a baby scan photo.
You’ll be glad to know that the miniseries ends on a high note, as Tracey agrees to go on a date with Ethan (David Marchant) from the market.
Chuffed for ya, Trace!
On Instagram, Jane celebrated the efforts of the trainees involved and wrote: ‘Had an absolute blast shooting this Tracey mini series as part of the [EastEnders] multi-camera course.
‘MASSIVE thanks to everyone who helped bring it to life and to [Kellie Bright], [Adam Woodyatt] and [Harriet Thorpe] for agreeing to be part of it. I loved every minute spending time with my screen family too.
‘Never forgetting Ulric Browne, Ben Champniss and Liz Sweet. I hope you all enjoy a glimpse into Tracey’s life.’
