BY CHEMELLE RICE
KAT WANTS TO END HER PAIN
We have watched Karen Jane Wallace play Kat Slater for over 15 years. Since splitting with our beloved Alfie Moon, she has been having more than a difficult time on the Square. Major money issues being one and as we know she landed in hospital when her so-to-be Ex-husband played by Shane Richie after he failed to attempt burning down their home for insurance money, unfortunately Kat was caught inside and is still left with the burns as proof.
The BBC has been working closely with the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) to ensure that the storyline is handled sensitively.
FLASHBACK
Harry Slater sexually abused Kat when she was a teenager. During the abuse, Kat fell pregnant with her first daughter Zoe. Harry recently died leaving gobby more than enough money in his will, but the fact the income comes from her abuser has made it hard for her to accept. Her feeling is understandable, the gesture has made Kat relive her horrifying childhood and she has been visibly struggling to cope with the memories of her sexual abuse as a young lady. The 42 year old will be seen spiralling into a deep pit of depression leading to her taking an overdose in an attempt of suicide in shocking scenes that will air next month.
Thankfully her husband Alfie discovers her before it is too late, and rushes her to hospital where she makes a full recovery. A spokesperson revealed “It has been very encouraging for me that the script team at EastEnders has gone to the trouble of contacting an organisation working with adult survivors of sexual abuse to check this storyline and raise awareness of this difficult issue”
ABOLUTLEY FABULOUS
89 year old legend- June Whitfield is making her debut to our favourite square this may and we can’t wait! The “Absolutely Fabulous” actress is playing a blessed Nun whom is counselling Kat during the hard times she’s about to endure. We are unaware how long June will be staying on the Square or if she is just passing through but we shall see very soon.
EASTENDERS FILM JIM BRANNINGS FUNERAL:
The cast have been filming emotional scenes for Jim Branning’s funeral.
Sweetheart John Bardon who played our bookie loving Jim died on September 14th last year at the age of 75. Jim was written out of the show in 2011, when his character was moved to live in a nursing home due to his real life issues. Dot played by June Brown left the Square on many occasions to visit her poorly husband. Before landing his ideal role in the best soap on TV, Bardon worked as a shuttle driver at Heathrow Airport believe it or not.
Sickness: On 14 June 2007, Brentford born Bardon was taken to hospital suddenly after suffering a devastating stroke at home. November 2007 our Jim was making steady progress, after opening a new stroke ward at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Welwyn Garden City. Still thinking of others! Two days after Christmas on the same year John walked for the first time in six months. He is certainly on the road to recovery. Just three months later on March the 10th it was announced that Patrick’s best friend would return to EastEnders as Jim Branning in the summer of 2008. After suffering a second stroke it became hard to see any recovery for our Jim and he deteriorated leading up to his death late last year.
The EastEnders website dedicated a few lines to their co-worker:
- “Everyone at ‘EastEnders’ is absolutely heartbroken to learn that John has sadly passed away”
- “His bravery, dignity and courage in battling against the devastating effects of his stroke were admired by all who had the privilege of working with him”
- “Loved by us all, John was an exceptionally talented actor whose humour, mischievousness and brilliant performances made Jim Branning one of Walford’s most loveable, memorable characters and we will miss John forever.”
The funeral filmed 6 months after John’s death:
The crew have been waiting for the right moment to close John’s storyline on the show. 88 year old June Brown, who’s played Dot Branning since the show first aired in 1985 led the cast as they filmed the emotional scenes. Considering we are 6 weeks ahead of any releases, so Dot won’t be out of jail anytime soon. Insiders revealed June was even spotted fashioning handcuffs on-set during the emotional send-off. During ‘EastEnders’ live week for their 30th anniversary viewers saw Dot taken to prison, when she confessed to murdering her son Nick Cotton after supplying him with a deadly concoction of heroin.
Farewell Jim Branning and can Kat come out the other end? Let’s see
