April Branning

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April's most high profile storyline was a romance with market inspector Michael Rose (Russell Floyd). In August 1996, less than a year after her arrival, it was announced that actress Debbie Arnold was quitting her role as April Branning, despite previously being quoted as saying "If they try to get rid of me, I'll chain myself to the railings of Albert Square." Arnold reportedly said, "I want to move on" and a friend of her's is quoted as saying " Debbie has already appeared in "Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale". She's terrified of getting in a rut and wants to try her hand at other TV work - she's had plenty of offers already."

It was reported at the time that April's leaving storyline would revolve around an affair with her sister's husband Alan Jackson. According to "The Mirror", "the show's bosses are planning a sensational storyline for her departure - April will start a steamy affair with her screen sister's husband Alan, played by Howard Anthony. But his missus finds out and viewers will be treated to an emotional confrontation between the two. April ends up packing her bags and leaving the Square because she still holds a torch for her brother-in-law." This proved to be false, and April instead departed after dumping Michael Rose and reuiniting with her former lover to start a new life in Greece. She last appeared in October 1996.

Storylines

April arrived in Albert Square in December 1995 to invite Carol and her boyfriend Alan to her wedding. April had been living and working in Greece for eight years selling time-share apartments, where she met and got engaged to a native named Nikos. Carol initially refused the invitation as she knew that her black boyfriend would not be well received by her racist father, Jim Branning. However, Alan decided that he wanted to go so April enlisted her niece Sonia as bridesmaid.

The ceremony was due to take place in April 1996 but just at the last minute the groom's best man turned up with the news that Nikos had fled back to Greece, leaving April distraught and humiliated. The day wasn't a complete waste though as Alan and Carol got married in their place.

April returned to Walford in July that year to visit her sister, and after meeting the market inspector Michael Rose (who she was extremely attracted to) she decided to stay. She got herself a job working in Kathy Beale's café, where she was witness to her brother-in-law's flirtations with the vindictive Frankie Pierre. When it became obvious that Frankie was involved with Alan, April informed Carol, which eventually led to the end of Alan and Carol's relationship.

April and Michael's relationship continued over the next few months and eventually Michael fell in love and begged April to move in with him. April was unsure whether she wanted to take such a big step, and while she was considering what to do, her ex, Nikos, showed up and tried to worm his way back into her affections. He demanded to marry her and despite the fact that he had previously jilted her at the altar, April decided to give him another chance. She left Walford with him and managed to get him down the aisle, leaving Michael to marshal his stalls and mull over what might have been.

April's last appearance was in October 1996. Eleven years later it was revealed that April was unable to come over from Greece to attend her nephew Bradley's wedding to Stacey Slater.

Reception

Actress Debbie Arnold was reportedly popular in the role of April, receiving 400 letters from fans in 2 weeks.

References