Bianca Jackson (née Branning; previously Butcher) is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Patsy Palmer. The character was introduced by executive producer Leonard Lewis and appeared initially from 1993 to 1999, when Palmer opted to leave. In 2002 executive producer John Yorke brought the character back for a special spin-off show. She returned to EastEnders as a full time character in April 2008, reintroduced by Diederick Santer.^[1] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 703 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (723 × 617 pixel, file size: 83 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is a screenshot of a copyrighted television program or station ID. As such, the copyright for it is most likely owned by the company... Patsy Palmer (born Julie Harris on May 26, 1972 in Bethnal Green, London, England) is a red-haired British actress best-known for her 6-year role as the feisty Bianca Jackson in popular British television soap opera EastEnders. ... Leonard Lewis (29 November 1927 - 2 December 2005) was a British producer and director. ... John Yorke: Executive Producer of EastEnders, December 1999 - May 2002 John Yorke is currently the Controller of Continuing Drama Series and Head of Independent Drama for the BBC. He joined the BBC in the late 1980s, working initially in radio as a studio manager and then as a producer on... Diederick Santer is a British television producer. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Divorce or dissolution of marriage is the ending of a marriage before the death of either spouse. ... Richard Ricky Butcher was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... David Wicks (né Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Carol Jackson (née Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Robert Robbie Jackson (born Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Billy Jackson (born 1995) is the first son of film director Peter Jackson and his wife, screenwriter and producer Fran Walsh. ... Joe Wicks was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sonia Ann Fowler (née Branning; previously Jackson)[1] was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Peter Pete Beale was a fictional character played by Peter Dean on the popular British BBC1 soap opera EastEnders. ... James Archibald Jim Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Patricia Pat Evans (née Harris; previously Beale, Wicks and Butcher) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Doreen Reenie Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Albert William Beale is a fictional character from the EastEnders novels by Hugh Miller. ... Louise Lou Beale was a fictional character played by Anna Wing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Simon Wicksy Wicks was a fictional character in the British BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Derek Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Max Branning is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Jack Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... April Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sue Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Harry Beale is a fictional character from the EastEnders novels by Hugh Miller. ... Ronnie Beale is a fictional character from the EastEnders novels by Hugh Miller. ... Kenny Beale was an fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... The following is a list of fictional characters that appeared in televised spin-offs of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Margaret Maggie Flaherty (née Medeemey) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Pauline Fowler (née Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played continuously by actress Wendy Richard[1] from the shows first episode on 19 February 1985 and remaining on-screen for almost twenty-two years. ... Lucy Katherine Beale[1] is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Not to be confused with Pete Beale. ... Bobby Beale (né Hobbs) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Steven Peter Beale is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Bradley Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Lauren Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Abigail Abi Branning is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Rebecca Chloe Miller (née Chloe Jackson) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Elizabeth Beale was a fictional character in the popular BBC1 soap opera EastEnders. ... Eamonn Flaherty was a fictional character in the popular BBC1 soap opera EastEnders. ... Conor Flaherty was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997, by order of first appearance. ... Mark Fowler was a fictional character in the popular British BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Michelle Fowler (previously Holloway) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Martin Albert Fowler is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Colette Flaherty was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders in a special series of episodes set in Ireland in 1997. ... Eamonn Flaherty was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997, by order of first appearance. ... The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997, by order of first appearance. ... The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997, by order of first appearance. ... For other people named Mary Flaherty, see Mary Flaherty (disambiguation). ... Victoria Vicki Louise Fowler was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Rebecca Chloe Miller (née Chloe Jackson) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Nellie Ellis was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... A fictional character is any person, persona, identity, or entity whose existence originates from a work of fiction. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The first TIME cover devoted to soap operas: Dated January 12, 1976, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes of Days of our Lives are featured with the headline Soap Operas: Sex and suffering in the afternoon. A soap opera is an ongoing, episodic work of fiction, usually broadcast on television... Albert Square in the 1980s. ... Patsy Palmer (born Julie Harris on May 26, 1972 in Bethnal Green, London, England) is a red-haired British actress best-known for her 6-year role as the feisty Bianca Jackson in popular British television soap opera EastEnders. ... Leonard Lewis (29 November 1927 - 2 December 2005) was a British producer and director. ... John Yorke: Executive Producer of EastEnders, December 1999 - May 2002 John Yorke is currently the Controller of Continuing Drama Series and Head of Independent Drama for the BBC. He joined the BBC in the late 1980s, working initially in radio as a studio manager and then as a producer on... Diederick Santer is a British television producer. ...

During her first run on the show during the 1990s, she was known for her bizarre sense of style, her sharp tongue and fiery temper and for screaming "Rickaaaaaaay!"^[2] at her husband. Bianca has been featured in numerous high profile storylines, including affairs, feuds, bereavements, family problems, spina bifida and abortion, and a problematic marriage to Ricky Butcher. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Richard Ricky Butcher was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Character creation

Background

1994 was a "historic" year for EastEnders, as in April, a third weekly episode was introduced.^[3] Due to the programme’s increased frequency, a number of new characters were introduced to the regular cast in the latter part of 1993 and early 1994.^[3] Among them were the Jackson family: mother Carol (Lindsey Coulson), her four children, Bianca (Patsy Palmer), Robbie (Dean Gaffney), Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), and Billy (Devon Anderson), as well as Carol's partner Alan Jackson (Howard Antony). Though Carol and Alan were not initially married in the serial, and though Alan was only the biological father of Billy, the whole family took on Alan's surname. Carol Jackson (née Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Coulson in BBCs Clocking Off Lindsey Coulson (born in London, 1960) is an English actress, best known for her role as Carol Jackson in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Robert Robbie Jackson (born Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Dean Martin Gaffney (born 14 February 1978 in Hammersmith, London) is an English actor. ... Sonia Ann Fowler (née Branning; previously Jackson)[1] was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Natalie Chester Cassidy (born on 13 May 1983) is an English actress most famous for playing Sonia Fowler on the British soap opera EastEnders. ... Billy Jackson (born 1995) is the first son of film director Peter Jackson and his wife, screenwriter and producer Fran Walsh. ... Devon Carlo Anderson[1] is an English actor, (born 1987 in Greenwich, London, England). ... Alan Jackson was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Antony as Alan Jackson in EastEnders Howard Antony (born 19 April 1963, in Paddington, London, England) is a British actor, best known for playing the role of Alan Jackson, in the BBC soap opera Eastenders from 1993 - 1997. ...

Various members of the family began to appear sporadically from November 1993 onwards, but in episodes that aired early in 1994, the Jacksons moved from Walford Towers, a block of flats, to the soap's focal setting of Albert Square. Their slow introduction was a deliberate attempt by the programme makers to introduce the whole family over a long period.^[3] The Jacksons have been described by EastEnders scriptwriter Colin Brake as a "classic problem family".^[3] Albert Square is the fictional location of the British soap opera Eastenders. ... Colin Brake (born 1963) is a television writer and script editor best known for his work for the BBC on programs such as Bugs and EastEnders. ...

Casting

Bianca as she appeared in 1994.

Future Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, auditioned for the role of Bianca,^[4] however, it was actress Patsy Palmer who was eventually cast.^[5] Palmer's casting has been described as an "accident", as she did not formally audition for the role. The BBC came into her drama class at the Anna Scher theatre school, and although she had not even auditioned, they contacted her the following day to offer her the role of Bianca. In 1996, Palmer commented to The Independent, "I've been a lucky girl. I always used to say I'd love to get in EastEnders, because I used to think 'God, I'll never get a part where I have to speak really posh', - I'm not very good at accents."^[6] Palmer was 21 when she she first appeared on-screen as 17 year old Bianca. The Spice Girls are a British all-female pop group, formed in London in 1994. ... Emma Lee Bunton (born 21 January 1976) is an English pop singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. ... Patsy Palmer (born Julie Harris on May 26, 1972 in Bethnal Green, London, England) is a red-haired British actress best-known for her 6-year role as the feisty Bianca Jackson in popular British television soap opera EastEnders. ... The Anna Scher Theatre is a community theatre in Islington, north London. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ...

Personality

The character has been classified by Rupert Smith, author of EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square, as a drama queen, a "strong passionate [woman]" and "Walford's trouble-maker-in-chief".^[7] She has also been described as "mouthy",^[8] "feisty" and someone "who never minced her words".^[9] In 1996, Palmer described Bianca as someone who deserves "a good slap". She added, "I probably wouldn't like Bianca if I knew her in real-life. But I do love playing the character. She is so cheeky and gets to say outrageous things".^[10]

"A woman you would not want to cross",^[11] Bianca is a tenacious foe, but a loyal friend.^[12] The way the character was portrayed, as a "person who wouldn't take nonsense from anyone", has led James Rampton of The Independent to comment that she embodies "girl power", a cultural phenomenon of the mid-late 1990s, which is also linked to third-wave feminism. He added, "Bianca could sulk for Britain - and we adored her for it." However, it has also been noted, that underneath Bianca's bravado, the character is capable of showing "the most affecting vulnerability".^[11] A 2002 anime DVD The phrase Girl Power, as a term of empowerment, expressed a cultural phenomenon of the mid-late 1990s to the early 2000s and is also linked to third-wave feminism. ... Third-wave feminism is a term identified with several diverse strains of feminist activity and study beginning in the early 1990s. ...

Character development

Bianca was featured in various high profile storylines during her initial six years in the soap, which included numerous affairs, feuds, bereavements, family problems, abortion, and a problematic marriage to Ricky Butcher.^[7]

"Rickaaaaaaay!"

Bianca's relationship with mechanic Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) has been central to her narrative; their affiliation began in 1994. Palmer and Owen already knew each other before working together on the soap, as both attended the Anna Scher theatre school. Owen has said, "We practically grew up together. We'd known each other for years. It was wierd [sic] when she started on the show and we began playing the 'Ricky & Bianca Get To Know Each Other' bit. I had already spent a lot of time with Patsy. I think we were both seven when we met."^[13] Richard Ricky Butcher was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sid Owen (born David Sutton on 12 January 1972 in London) is an English actor. ...

The dynamics of their relationship were clear from the start, with Bianca portrayed as the dominant, bossy and authoritative partner, while Ricky was shown as the hen-pecked,^[14] dim-witted "loser" or "soft touch", comically under the thumb of his female counterpart.^[7] James Rampton from The Indpendent has commented, "to her eternally put-upon husband, Ricky, Bianca was a ferocious reincarnation of H Rider Haggard's 'She Who Must Be Obeyed'."^[11] Bianca was notorious for shouting the catchphrase "Rickaaaaaaay!" (a cockney pronounciation of Ricky) at her lover, and Palmer admitted in 2008 that "not a day has gone by in nine years when someone hasn't shouted that from cars and even up at my bedroom window at night."^[15] It has been suggested that Bianca's catchphrase — "Rickaaaaaaay!" — transitioned, becoming "shorthand for any sort of heinous henpecking."^[11] Sir Henry Rider Haggard KBE (June 22, 1856 – May 14, 1925), born in Norfolk, England, was a Victorian writer of adventure novels set in locations considered exotic by readers in his native England. ... St Mary-le-Bow The term cockney is often used to refer to working-class people of London, particularly east London, and the slang used by these people. ...

The wedding of Ricky and Bianca was watched by 22 million viewers in April 1997.

One of the first notable storylines featuring the couple occurred in 1995, when Ricky embarked on an affair with Bianca's "put-upon sidekick", Natalie Price (Lucy Speed).^[16] On-screen Natalie and Ricky found themselves sidelined and bullied by Bianca, forcing them together and leading to their eventual affair, which continued for several weeks on-screen, with Ricky seeing both Natalie and Bianca. The storyline reached its climax on 21 February 1995; 17.0 million viewers tuned in to witness Bianca discovering that her boyfriend was sleeping with her best friend.^[17] The characters were shown to reconcile later in the year when Ricky supported Bianca through a personal crisis — the revelation that she had unknowingly tried to seduce her estranged father David Wicks (Michael French). Natalie Evans (née Price), was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera Eastenders. ... Lucy Speed (born August 31, 1976, in Croydon, Surrey) is an English actress, probably best known for her role as Natalie Evans in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... David Wicks (né Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Michael French (born 17 September 1962) is a British actor best known for his role as David Wicks in the BBC television series EastEnders. ...

Various crises between the characters were featured over the following years, causing them to break up and reconcile numerous times. In the book Seeing Things: Television in the Age of Uncertainty, author John Ellis uses the couple's combustible relationship as an example of emotional intensity and pathos: "A couple like Ricky and Bianca...can have constantly sniped at each other for several episodes, for no apparent dramatic purpose except that it is the nature of their relationship. Then they will suddenly be confronted by a life-changing decision...There is suddenly a shift in emotional intensity for the audience. Every word now counts, and all the previous audience attitudes of irritation or even condescension to this 'not very bright couple'...become a feeling of utter absorption in their dilemma."^[18] The BBC has reported that Bianca and Ricky's on-off romance "captivated millions of fans", and in April 1997 22 million viewers tuned in to see them marry on-screen, one of the biggest soap audiences ever.^[19] In 2000, Owen stated that the storyline he most enjoyed in EastEnders was the build up and marriage to Bianca, because "the public's enthusiasm for the event was a great motivation".^[20] The Daily Mail branded Ricky and Bianca "EastEnders' most popular couple",^[21] and they have also been described as "iconic".^[22] The Daily Mail is a British newspaper and the oldest tabloid, first published in 1896. ...

Spina bifida

In 1997, the character was featured in a storyline about spina bifida and hydrocephalus, a developmental birth defect resulting in an incompletely formed spinal cord of the baby.^[23] After falling pregnant with Ricky's baby, a pre-natal scan revealed that her unborn foetus had the conditions. In the storyline, Bianca agonised about whether to have an abortion, but eventually decided to terminate her pregnancy at 20 weeks, following the diagnosis.^[24] In scenes shown after the forced abortion, Bianca and Ricky were given the chance to see and hold their dead daughter, named Natasha, after the birth (Ricky was unable to do this, though Bianca later said her baby had been "perfect"), and a period of heavy grief followed as the characters came to terms with what they had done. The Peterborough-based Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH) helped and provided information to the programme makers during the storyline.^[25] A congenital disorder is a medical condition or defect that is present at or before birth (for example, congenital heart disease). ... Though controversial both inside and outside of China due to noted extreme methods such as forced abortions, and other human rights abuses, Chinas pandemic overpopulation problem stimulated the government to take strong measures. ... ASBAH (the Association for Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus) is a UK registered charity providing information and advice about spina bifida and hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers. ...

Bianca and Ricky celebrate the birth of Liam (1998).

Bianca's decision to abort reportedly angered a proportion of viewers, including parents with handicapped children, who rang the BBC to complain that they showed the abortion of a disabled baby.^[26] However, many were "moved" by the storyline,^[11] and Patsy Palmer received critical acclaim for her acting throughout.^[27] As a result, Palmer was nominated in the 'Best Actress' category at the Royal Television Society Awards — the first soap actress to ever be nominated.^[11] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Royal Television Society is a British-based society for the discussion, analysis and preservation of television in all its forms, past, present and future. ...

The storyline was later used to spread a public message. When Bianca fell pregnant once again in 1998, the scriptwriters included scenes of a practitioner advising the character to take folic acid, which protects against spina bifida.^[28] ASBAH issued a public plea to EastEnders, urging them to allow Bianca's second baby to be born with spina bifida, in order to show parents that having a baby with spina bifida is "not the end of the world".^[29] This did not occur, however, and Bianca was shown to give birth to a premature but healthy baby, Liam, in an episode that aired on Christmas Day 1998. Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9. ... Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus, at the first Christmas Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Exit (1999)

The character was featured in various other storylines, including a feud with Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp); a tug-of-love for Ricky's affections with his first wife Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook); a one-night-stand with Lenny Wallace (Des Coleman), causing an STD scare; and the death of her best friend Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon). However, in November 1998, the BBC announced that Patsy Palmer had decided to leave EastEnders to spend more time with her family.^[19] The BBC said that Bianca would not be killed off, and a spokesman commented: "Bianca has always been an amazingly powerful character and the door is open to her if she wants to return in the future. She has been fantastic in the years she has been in EastEnders and we will miss her."^[19] Palmer was one of several high-profile EastEnders stars to announce their departures that year; Martine McCutcheon and Ross Kemp (Grant and Tiffany Mitchell) had also decided to leave, and Gillian Taylforth left the serial in 1998 after 13 years playing Kathy Mitchell. The BBC said, "no-one is bigger than the show, which is doing extremely well at the moment. We will send her off with all our very best wishes."^[19] Richard Stokes, EastEnders' series editor and producer of Palmer's exit storyline commented, "you don't expect people to stay here for ever. But it's a double-edged sword. Yes, it's a shame when a well-loved character announces they're going, but the flipside is that it provides us with the space to do the best possible story. If someone is going, you can up the stakes. The whole of Bianca's story was developed once we knew she was going to go."^[30] Grant Anthony Mitchell was a fictional character in the British soap opera EastEnders. ... Ross Kemp (born 21 July 1964) is a BAFTA award-winning English actor and journalist who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. ... Samantha Sam Mitchell (previously Butcher and Hunter) is a fictional character in the popular British BBC1 soap opera EastEnders. ... Danniella Westbrook (born in Essex on 5 November 1973) is a British actress and presenter, known for playing Samantha Mitchell in the popular BBC soap opera, EastEnders. ... Lenny Wallace was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Tiffany Dawn Mitchell (née Raymond) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Martine McCutcheon (born Martine Kimberley Sherri Ponting[1] on May 14, 1976) is an English singer, television personality and Laurence Olivier Award winning actress. ... Gillian Taylforth (born 14 August 1955 in London) is an English actress. ... Katherine Kathy Mitchell (née Hills; previously Beale)[1] was a fictional character in the British soap opera EastEnders. ...

Bianca, has an affair with her mother's boyfriend, Dan (1999).

Bianca's exit storyline centred upon an extra-marital affair with her mother's boyfriend Dan Sullivan (Craig Fairbrass). Lindsey Coulson, who played Bianca's mother Carol, returned to the serial especially to facillitate Palmer's exit.^[31] Carol had last been seen on-screen in 1997. When the affair was uncovered, Bianca was disowned by Carol, and her marriage to Ricky ended after Carol forced her to confess the affair to him too. Bianca's exit week was spread out over five episodes, beginning with an hour long special on Sunday 5 September 1999 (at the time the typical weekly broadcast was 3 episodes a week). Mal Young, BBC's Controller of Continuing Drama Series, described the revelatory hour-long Bianca special as a Play For Today, and Kathryn Flett of The Guardian described the week's episodes as a "bravura, edge-of-the-sofa, five-night performance".^[30] Commenting on her exit in 1999, Palmer said, "It was really sad. We were all crying our eyes out - the crew as well as the cast. The tears you see on screen are real."^[32] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Daniel Dan Sullivan was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap Opera EastEnders. ... Craig Fairbrass (born Stepney, London 1964) is an English actor. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Mal Young (born in Liverpool, England, on January 26, 1957) is a British television producer and executive . ... The Play for Today logo, seen here in the opening title sequence from 1976. ...

The discovery of Bianca's affair has been described as "one of the truly great emotion-charged scenes in soap history."^[33] Bianca left the serial on a train for Manchester with her son Liam, in an episode that aired in September 1999.^[34] In 2005, Binaca's exit storyline was voted number 8 in Sky's top 10 greatest moments of EastEnders.^[33] The storyline was also voted as one of Top 20 greatest soap moments of all time. Chosen by thousands of TV viewers, the televised countdown was presented by Dale Winton and aired on ITV in 2001.^[35] Dale Winton (born 22 May 1955 in London) is an English radio DJ and television presenter. ...

Spin-off (2002)

In 2001, the BBC announced that Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen were reprising their roles as Bianca and Ricky, for a special spin-off, entitled EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca. Filmed in Manchester in January 2002, the two part, hour long special reunited the characters for the first time in over two years.^[36] The spin off or 'soap bubble' was part of Mal Young's (BBC's controller of drama serials) plan to expand the EastEnders brand — he created a "bubbles unit" to make, at most, six one-off specials a year.^[37] EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca aired in May 2002, and proved a ratings winner, with more than 10 million viewers tuning in.^[38] This is a list of EastEnders special spin-off episodes that have aired over the years. ... Mal Young (born in Liverpool, England, on January 26, 1957) is a British television producer and executive . ...

In the spin-off, Bianca had fallen upon hard times, and accidentally got a visiting Ricky embroiled in a drugs heist. Despite talk of reconciling, Bianca opted to leave Ricky behind once again, leaving Liam in his care. The spin-off brought in various characters unrelated to the main serial, including Vince, Bianca's drug dealing boss played by Craig Charles, and Ricky's fiancee Cassie, played by Sally Ann Triplett. Both Ricky and Liam returned to the main serial as regular characters later that year, without Bianca. In an interview, Patsy Palmer discussed the spin-off and the reasons why she did not want to return to EastEnders: "I have absolutely no desire to return to EastEnders. Not at all. In fact, I think that brief spin-off of a storyline for Ricky and Bianca was a double-edged sword. On one hand, I don’t think we should ever have done it, it was a mistake on my behalf. But on the other, it convinced me that Bianca was someone that I did not want to see again. She was past history as far as I was concerned, I certainly learned that. Don’t get me wrong, I had the time of my life when I was in EastEnders in the middle and late nineties and I worked with some terrific people both in front of and behind the camera. But that was then and this is now - the cast has nearly all changed and going back would be worse than foolish."^[39] Craig Charles as Dave Lister Craig Charles (born July 11, 1964 in Liverpool, England) is an English actor, stand up comedian, author, poet, and radio and television presenter, best known for playing Dave Lister in the British cult-favourite sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf. ... Sally Ann Triplett (born 15 April 1962, London United Kingdom) is a British singer and actress most famous for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and many West End productions. ...

Return (2008)

However, it was announced on 29 October 2007 that Palmer would be reprising the role of Bianca in EastEnders,^[1] despite previously saying she would never return to the show as it was "rubbish".^[40] EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer said he was "delighted" that Bianca was returning, commenting: "Millions grew up with her and, like the audience, I can't wait to see her back in the show. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter in her story."^[1] is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Diederick Santer is a British television producer. ...

On 30 October 2007, a day after the announcement of Bianca's return, it was announced that Sid Owen was also be returning to the show as Ricky.^[41] Owen commented: "It will be interesting to see what has been happening to Ricky and Bianca over the last few years. Although, I must admit I'm not looking forward to her nagging me by shouting his name."^[41] Santer commented: "First Patsy comes home, now Sid! Ricky and Bianca were a hugely popular and well-loved partnership on the show, spawning one of the best (and perhaps most irritating) of TV catchphrases - Rickaaaaay!"^[41] is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

It was said that Bianca would return "as a single mother with a hoard of children in tow".^[40] On 18 March 2008, it was announced that her family would consist of Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), the fifteen-year-old daughter of Bianca's deceased partner; Liam Butcher (James Forde), Bianca and Ricky's son who previously appeared in the serial; Tiffany Dean (Maisie Smith), Bianca's five-year-old daughter, named after Tiffany Mitchell; and Morgan Jackson-King (Devon Higgs), Bianca's three-year-old son who is "the most [spoilt] out of all of the kids".^[42] is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Tiffany Dawn Mitchell (née Raymond) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

To promote the characters' return, the BBC began airing a trailers across the BBC network in March 2008. One trailer utilised Bianca's "trademark holler" of Ricky's name, which is so loud that it smashes the windows of The Queen Victoria public house.^[22] The trailer features the Righteous Brothers song "Hung on You". Another trailer sees Bianca singing The Jackson 5 hit "I Want You Back" and performing a dance routine with her four children. The promo uses the tag line "Introducing The Jackson 5".^[43] Within three days of being posted on the video sharing website YouTube, the promo had been viewed 52,000 times.^[44] When the soap began the outside of The Vic was painted brown. ... Pub redirects here. ... The Righteous Brothers The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. ... The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet (and briefly a sextet and quartet) from Gary, Indiana. ... I Want You Back is a 1969 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... YouTube is a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. ...

The character returned on-screen on 1 April 2008, but made her first appearance back in the soap's setting of Albert Square the following week, drawing 10.4 million viewers and 42.6% of the total TV viewing audience.^[45] In the storyline, Bianca had fallen on hard times, and after being evicted from her flat her children were taken into custody, so Bianca returned to Walford to seek help from her grandmother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement). In the documentary EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca, which aired to celebrate the character's return, the changes in Bianca's character were noted: "The carefree, wild child of yesterday, has been replaced by the wore-torn and downtrodden single mum of four. Bianca has done what she always wanted to avoid, repeating the mistakes that her mother Carol had made." EastEnders' series consultant Simon Ashdown has commented, "Bianca's still the same Bianca in a way, she still speaks before she thinks, comes out fists flying. She's got that family of misfit kids with different fathers [...] She's like Carol."^[46] The BBC described the character's comeback as a "big hit".^[47] However, James Walton from The Telegraph accused the Jackson family of being melodramatic and "boring", adding "Perhaps the storyline is meant to be an updated version of Cathy Come Home – yet if so, the writers have forgotten one important thing. We’re supposed to be rooting for the mother rather than for Social Services."^[48] is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... Patricia Pat Evans (née Harris; previously Beale, Wicks and Butcher) is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Pamela Pam St. ... Simon Ashdown is a British television writer. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... Carol White as Cathy at the beginning of the play. ...

Storylines

Early life

Bianca and her troublesome friend Natalie (1994).

Bianca was conceived by Carol Branning and David Wicks in 1976, when they were fourteen. David tried to persuade Carol to have an abortion and fled, not knowing that she kept the baby.^[12] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 569 pixelsFull resolution (806 × 573 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is a low resoultion screenshot taken from the BBC television programme EastEnders. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 569 pixelsFull resolution (806 × 573 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is a low resoultion screenshot taken from the BBC television programme EastEnders. ... Carol Jackson (née Branning) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... David Wicks (né Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Bianca first appeared in the serial in November 1993 with the rest of her family; the Jacksons.^[49] She initially worked at Ian Beale's fish and chip shop, before becoming the market assistant of Sanjay Kapoor. Later on she branched out, running her own clothing stall on Bridge Street market. Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Sanjay Kapoor was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Bianca had a short relationship with Richard Cole in 1994, and when he dumped her, she and her friend Natalie Price harassed him with prank calls, rearranged the furniture in his flat and stole his credit card. When Richard discovered that they were behind the trouble, Bianca and Natalie blackmailed him, telling him that Bianca was only fifteen and that they would inform the police that he had slept with an underage girl if he did not leave them alone.^[7] Richard Tricky Dicky Cole was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Natalie Evans (née Price), was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera Eastenders. ... A prank call, also known as a crank call, hoax call, phony call, or phony phone call is a form of practical joke committed over the telephone. ...

Bianca then set her sights on David Wicks, unaware that he was her father. She and David flirted with each other, until Carol told David the truth — that Bianca was his daughter. After that, David kept his distance from Bianca.^[12]

Relationship with Ricky

Bianca tried to kiss David, not realising that he is her father.

Bianca then entered into a relationship with Ricky Butcher. They moved into a bedsit together, however, things did not go smoothly for the couple. Bianca spent a lot of time clubbing with her friend Tiffany Raymond, and Ricky started an affair with Natalie. Natalie later set it up so that Bianca would discover the affair, and when she did Bianca dumped Ricky, and drove Natalie out of Walford (it took four years for Bianca to forgive Natalie's betrayal). When a drunk Bianca was nearly assaulted, David took her to the car lot to sober up. She tried to kiss him, but he told her that he was her father. She spent several weeks coming to terms with the revelation.^[7] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Richard Ricky Butcher was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... Tiffany Dawn Mitchell (née Raymond) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Ricky and Bianca reunited and got engaged in June 1995, however in July 1996, she ended up sleeping with Lenny Wallace. She soon regretted this however, when she feared she'd fallen pregnant to him. It was a false alarm, but the shock made her realise how much Ricky meant to her and so in 1997 the two married. Later that year, Bianca fell pregnant with her and Ricky's first child, however, a pre-natal scan confirmed that the unborn child was affected with spina bifida. Distraught, Bianca opted to abort her unborn child, a decision which put a massive strain on her marriage. More problems arose in 1998, when Bianca's infidelity with Lenny was finally revealed to Ricky, following an STD scare. Ricky considered ending their marriage, but Bianca managed to convince him to give her another chance and in September 1998 Bianca fell pregnant for a second time. She gave birth to baby Liam on Christmas day in The Queen Vic, helped by her nemesis Grant Mitchell — the volatile husband of her best friend Tiffany. Days later, disaster struck for Bianca when Tiffany was run over and killed by Frank Butcher. Bianca spent the early part of 1999 trying to force Tiffany's mother Louise to leave Walford, having discovered that Louise slept with Grant.^[7] Lenny Wallace was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... A sexually transmitted disease (STD), a. ... Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ... (Redirected from 25 December) December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... The iconic look for the Queen Victoria, that has been used since 1992. ... Grant Anthony Mitchell was a fictional character in the British soap opera EastEnders. ... Francis Frank Butcher was a fictional character in the popular British soap opera EastEnders. ... Louise Raymond (née Simmonds) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

Affair with Dan

In the Summer of 1999, Bianca's mother, Carol, returned to Albert Square with her new fiancée Dan Sullivan. Unbeknown to Carol, an underage Bianca had previously had a relationship with Dan, and the two rekindled their affair behind their partners' backs.^[7] Albert Square is the fictional location of the British soap opera Eastenders. ... Daniel Dan Sullivan was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap Opera EastEnders. ...

They ended the affair when Carol discovered she was pregnant with Dan's child, and Bianca and Ricky made plans to move away to Manchester so Bianca could attend fashion college there. However, after finding an old photo of Bianca and Dan together, Carol demanded to know their history. Dan told Carol that they once had a romance that ended years ago, and swore on the life of his unborn child that it was over. Carol went to question an unsuspecting Bianca about her relationship with Dan. Unaware that Dan had lied to Carol about the affair, Bianca confessed the truth. Carol decided she wanted nothing more to do with Bianca, and Bianca left for Manchester with Liam in September 1999, after informing Ricky that she no longer loved him.^[7] This article is about the City of Manchester in England. ... A photograph (often just called a photo) is an image (or a representation of that on e. ...

Ricky and Bianca reunited

In May 2002, in a special spin-off episode, Ricky went to see Bianca in Manchester to discuss custody of Liam. Bianca had been expelled from her university and ended up working in a seedy nightclub. Struggling to support her child, Bianca became desperate and was caught up in a plan to steal £50,000 from her drug-dealing boss, Vince.^[50] A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one such as a new company formed from a university research group. ...

Bianca and Ricky reunite (2002).

Ricky persuaded her to return the money, but as they delivered it they were apprehended by Vince, who threatened to harm them unless they became his drug couriers. Ricky and Bianca were forced to oblige. They took what they thought was a package of money, but as they arrived at the meeting point, Bianca realised that the package contained paper instead of money. The drug dealers arrived expecting payment and weren't pleased to discover Bianca and Ricky were attempting to con them. They pulled out knives, but Ricky and Bianca were saved when armed police raided the establishment. Ricky and Bianca escaped and spent the night in a hotel room, where they slept together.^[50] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The next morning they returned to Bianca's flat to find that Vince had kidnapped Liam and Ricky's fiancée Cassie. Vince divulged that he had used them to set up the drug dealers, hoping that they would also get arrested. Vince then let them go, promising that the matter was now closed. Ricky and Bianca spent time alone together and they confessed that they still loved one another and decided to reunite. While Bianca returned home to pack, Ricky broke the news to Cassie, but she was unwilling to let him go. She convinced Bianca that a life with Ricky would bore her and she would end up breaking his heart again. She pleaded with her to let Ricky have full custody of Liam and Bianca eventually decided this was the right thing to do. She packed her belongings and left. Ricky searched for her and then looked on heartbroken as Bianca hitched a ride in a car and departed for a destination unknown.^[50]

Return to Walford

Bianca was seen being thrown out of a bed and breakfast with her children (stepdaughter Whitney, Liam, Tiffany and Morgan) on 1 April 2008. After sleeping in a bus shelter for a night, she contacted Ricky, who was staying in Walford for his father Frank's funeral, to ask for his help. When Ricky did not listen to her she ran away, posing as a prostitute to steal a client's money. When a police officer saw her children with their belongings and expressed concern, she hit him and was arrested. When Bianca returned to Albert Sqaure, she confided to grandmother Pat. That is until Pat rang Ricky to see her. As a result, the pair berated each other over their son Liam. The argument continued outside with Bianca heading outside calling for "Rickaaay", with some of the residents to see what was going on outside, they were shocked to see Bianca's return. Liam Butcher is a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

On 10 April 2008, Bianca claimed to social worker, Alice that her children could stay at Pat's, but it was far more complicated than Alice thought. When Bianca asked Ricky for help, he agrees but later decides to not to help her after another mishap involving Ricky's fiancee Melinda. She tells Pat about Ricky missing time with Liam at christmas. is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

Reception

Bianca has been described as "one of the most popular characters [EastEnders] has ever had",^[51] and James Rampton, journalist for The Independent, has commented that she is "adored".^[11] Palmer has suggested that viewers "rooted" for Bianca because people love a stroppy girl. In 2000, she commented, "[Bianca] makes them laugh. A character like that is about living out your fantasies. Everybody would love to be like Bianca and really say what they think."^[11] Following her exit from the serial in September 1999, Palmer claimed that members of the public would approach her to plead with her to return to EastEnders, as they missed her character and relationship with Ricky. She commented in 2000, "It makes me feel bad. I sometimes think I should go back [to EastEnders] for everyone else's sake."^[11] Palmer's portrayal of Bianca earned her a nomination for 'Best Actress' at the Royal Television Society Awards — being the first soap actress to ever be nominated — and in 2000 she was awarded 'Best Actress' at The British Soap Awards, a prize voted for by viewers.^[52] The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas. ...

Conversely, when the character departed the serial in 1999, Molly Blake of the Birmingham Evening Post said "Good riddance!". She described Bianca as a "king-sized pain in the backside...A screeching and screaming virago with a big mouth and pea-sized brain" and a "prize slapper [who] tormented all those whose paths [she] crossed."^[53]

In 1995, Chris Barker carried out television research on post-transmission perepctives of British Asian teenage viewers of EastEnders, using the character Bianca as one of the focus points. He discovered that the participants were both active and implicit in the reproduction of idealogy about family relationships and gender. The males regarded Bianca as a "saucy cow", with implications of unacceptable assertiveness in women. They disliked that Ricky was pushed around by Bianca and treated as a subordinate by her friends. The author comments that "such a relationship appears to these boys as the world turned upside down." Girls also viewed Bianca unfavourably in 1995, and the author noted that tensions in "girl-culture"—attraction to the traditional private world of interpersonal relationships and the desire to take up more assertive characteristics in public—manifested themselves in discussions about Bianca and her friend Natalie Price. Natalie was constructed as a "nice person" in contrast to Bianca, "she can relate to Ricky...cares for other people and doesn't just think about herself [like Bianca does]", qualities that were said to be constitutive of the traditional identity of women.^[54] The term British Asian is used to denote a person of Southern Asian ancestry or origin, or sometimes Western Asian origin, who was born in or was an immigrant to the United Kingdom. ...

In 2008, when it was announced that both Ricky and Bianca were being reintroduced, executive producer Diederick Santer described them as "a hugely popular and well-loved partnership on the show".^[55] Other media sources branded them two of "the most popular characters on the soap" and an "iconic couple".^[9][22] However, Hazel Davis of The Guardian was critical about their reintroduction. She commented, "It's a no-brainer on the show's part. Last year, ratings for EastEnders were at an all-time low. But, just for once, wouldn't it be nice if a soap opera actually introduced new characters with verve and staying power rather than digging up the oldies?".^[56] Conversely, Mark Wright from The Stage said that the decision to bring these much-loved character back "is very welcome". He comments, "Previous returns have been all about the numbers and not about the story, which is the cardinal sin in this game. While there is, of course, the resultant publicity that comes with any new or returning soap character being announced, the storyline possibilities for Ricky and Bianca arriving back in the Square are good. Bianca is turning up with a brood of kids in tow, all belonging to different fathers (how many of them can we expect to see over the next couple of years?). Like it! Ricky arrives with a glamorous WAG...on his arm. I sense friction along the way, especially when Ricky realises he never got over Bianca (how could he?). All very well thought through and positive. This sounds like a soap getting back in touch with its roots..."^[39] The Stage is a weekly British newspaper founded in 1880, available nationally and published on Thursdays. ... WAGs (or Wags) was an acronym used particularly (but by no means exclusively) by the British tabloid press to describe the Wives And Girlfriends of the England national football team. ...

In popular culture and other media

In 1999, EastEnders and the BBC launched a book about the character Bianca, entitled Bianca's Secret Diary. The paperback details the affair between Bianca her mother Carol's lover Dan. A BBC source reportedly told the Sunday Mirror: "We've recently dethroned Coronation Street at the top of the viewing charts, and this book has the potential to make No.1 in the best-sellers list." It was released on September 10, 1999, just as the TV storyline reached its conclusion.^[57] Coronation Street is an award-winning British soap opera. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ...

The character was also spoofed in the BBC comedy sketch show, The Real McCoy (1991–1995). One of the show's recurring sketches featured a spoof version of EastEnders, with black comedians taking over roles of well known EastEnders characters, who frequent a pub called Rub-a-Dub.^[58] Actress and comedian Judith Jacob played the role of Bianca in the sketches. Notably, Jacob had previously appeared as a regular character in EastEnders between 1986 and 1989, as health visitor Carmel Jackson.^[59] The Real McCoy was a very successful BBC Television Comedy show which ran from (1991 - 1996) featuring an array of talented black comedy stars performing material aimed at an across-the-board black audience. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Judith Jacob is a British actress, best known for her role as Carmel Roberts in the television soap opera EastEnders. ... Carmel Jackson (née Roberts) was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Colin Brake (born 1963) is a television writer and script editor best known for his work for the BBC on programs such as Bugs and EastEnders. ... This is a list of books about or relating to the British soap opera EastEnders. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of books about or relating to the British soap opera EastEnders. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of books about or relating to the British soap opera EastEnders. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mirror is a former and currently informal name for the British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone; see The Mirror (The Twilight Zone) a film by Andrei Tarkovsky This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Daily Mail is a British newspaper and the oldest tabloid, first published in 1896. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mirror is a former and currently informal name for the British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone; see The Mirror (The Twilight Zone) a film by Andrei Tarkovsky This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mirror is a former and currently informal name for the British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone; see The Mirror (The Twilight Zone) a film by Andrei Tarkovsky This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Stage is a weekly British newspaper founded in 1880, available nationally and published on Thursdays. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users) is a British media and entertainment website, noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users) is a British media and entertainment website, noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mirror is a former and currently informal name for the British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone; see The Mirror (The Twilight Zone) a film by Andrei Tarkovsky This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... For the BBC radio station, see BBC Radio 3. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Daily Mail is a British newspaper and the oldest tabloid, first published in 1896. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Albert Square in the 1980s. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... For the BBC radio station, see BBC Radio 1. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 133rd day of the year (134th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Meera Syal MBE (born Feroza Syal 27 June 1961 in Essington, near Wolverhampton, England) is a British comedienne, writer, playwright, singer, journalist and actress. ... Felix Dexter is an English actor, comedian, and writer. ... The Real McCoy was a very successful BBC Television Comedy show which ran from (1991 - 1996) featuring an array of talented black comedy stars performing material aimed at an across-the-board black audience. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... BBC Two (or BBC2 as it was formerly styled) was the second UK television station to be aired by the BBC. History The channel was scheduled to begin at 7:20pm on April 20, 1964 and show an evening of light entertainment, starting with the comedy show The Alberts and... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Bianca Jackson at bbc.co.uk