Patsy Palmer

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Patsy Palmer
birthname = Julie Harris
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|5|26|df=y
location = Bethnal Green, London, England
deathdate =
deathplace =
height =
othername =
yearsactive =
spouse = Nick Love (1998-2000) Richard Merkell (2000 -)
homepage =
notable role = Bianca Jackson in "EastEnders"
academyawards =
emmyawards =
tonyawards =

Patsy Palmer (born Julie Harris on 26 May 1972 in Bethnal Green, London) is an English actress and television personality. Palmer made an early television appearance on the children's drama show "Grange Hill", but is best-known for playing Bianca Jackson in the popular British television soap opera "EastEnders". Originally in the cast from 1993-1999, Palmer returned to EastEnders in April 2008. She has also appeared in a number of TV dramas, and released an autobiography, "All of Me" in 2007. She lives with her husband and three children in Brighton, East Sussex, UK.

Early life

Patsy Palmer was born Julie Harris and grew up in east London. Palmer's mother is a dressmaker,cite web | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20070331/ai_n18785011 | title= Patsy Palmer | publisher = The Independent | author = Rebecca Armstrong| date =2007-03-31 | accessdate=2007-04-17] her father separated from her mother when she was eight years old.cite web | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000521/ai_n14505044 | title= Interview Patsy Palmer | publisher = Sunday Mirror | author = Daphne Lockyer| date =2000-05-21 | accessdate=2007-04-17]

She was brought up along with her two elder brothers, Albert and Harry, by her mother Pat. It was her mother who first spotted her acting talent and encouraged her to go to Anna Scher's famous acting school in London (where many other EastEnders stars such as Sid Owen, Gillian Taylforth, Susan Tully, Phil Daniels and Adam Woodyatt also trained). Palmer was bullied at school, and has said that acting was a form of escape.cite web | url = http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/features/article2411615.ece| title= 'I was a young, silly girl' | publisher = Belfast Telegraph | author =Hannah Stephenson | date = 2007-04-01 | accessdate=2007-04-09]

Aged six she starred in a West End production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and by the age of 12 she had written her own play about prostitution and won an award at the London Festival of Plays.

Career

Early career

She made her screen debut in the television programme "The Gentle Touch" in 1984. Like many other "EastEnders" actors, Palmer appeared on the children's drama show "Grange Hill" in 1986 and 1987.cite web | url = http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/contributor/61094 | title= Patsy Palmer | publisher = BBC | author =| date = | accessdate=2007-04-17] She went on to have small roles in BBC's "Tricky Business" (1989); "Making News" (1990); "Clarissa" (1991); "Love Hurts" (1992); "Drop the Dead Donkey" (1993); "The Bill" (1993) and she also appeared as an acne ridden teenager in a Clearasil advert.cite web | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000610/ai_n14302062 | title= Staying In: Patsy Palmer | publisher = The Independent | author = Fiona Sturges| date =2000-06-10 | accessdate=2007-04-17]

"EastEnders"

In 1993 she was cast in the role of feisty Bianca Jackson in BBC's flagship soap opera, "EastEnders". A popular character, Bianca's on-off romance with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) captivated millions of fans and their on-screen marriage in 1997 drew one of the biggest soap audiences ever — more than 22 million.cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/219572.stm | title= Entertainment Patsy Palmer to leave EastEnders | publisher = BBC | author =| date =1998-11-22 | accessdate=2007-04-17] She remained in the role for six years, but quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family and to concentrate on other projects.cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/792150.stm | title= Patsy has early baby | publisher = BBC | author =| date =2000-06-15 | accessdate=2007-04-17] She reprised the role in May 2002 in a special spin-off entitled, "EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca". The two part, hour long special was filmed in Manchester and reuinted Bianca and Ricky for the first time in over two years.cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1785761.stm| title= Ricky and Bianca film soap return | publisher = BBC | author =| date =2002-01-27 | accessdate=2007-04-17]

In 2005, Palmer publicly criticised "EastEnders", branding the storylines ridiculous and unbelievable and stating that she "wouldn't go back to "EastEnders".cite web | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2005/12/28/efpatsy28.xml| title= 'It's been seven years, but I guess I'll always be Bianca to some people'| publisher = The Telegraph | author =| date =2005-12-26 | accessdate=2007-11-14] However, on 29 October 2007 the BBC announced that Palmer would be returning to the soap as a fulltime character and will make her comeback on-screen in March 2008. [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Palmer making EastEnders comeback | date= | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7066949.stm | work =BBC News Website | pages = | accessdate = 2007-10-29 | language = ] Palmer has commented "I can't wait to explore what Bianca has been doing with her life and seeing what she is going to get up to next" and executive producer of "EastEnders", Diederick Santer, added, "I'm delighted to welcome Patsy Palmer home to "EastEnders". Bianca is one of the most popular characters the show has ever had". [cite web | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2763163.ece| title= Patsy Palmer rejoins EastEnders| publisher = The Times | author =| date =2007-10-29 | accessdate=2007-11-14]

Other work

Palmer appeared as Clare in the detective series "McCready and Daughter", which aired for a pilot and one series between 2000 and 2001. She made an appearance in "He knew he was right" for the BBC in 2004 and in 2001 she was seen in the television mini-series, "Do or die", which aired on Sky One. In 1999, Palmer made a cameo appearance as herself in an episode of Kathy Burke's sitcom, "Gimme Gimme Gimme"; it made light of her role as Bianca Jackson.

On stage she has starred in the one-woman musical "Tell Me On A Sunday", which toured the UK and played in London's West End. She also had a leading role in a UK tour of the musical "Steppin' out"; appeared in the original West end run of "Mum's the word", and acted in "We happy few" by Imogen Stubbs, which played a short run at the Gielgud Theatre.

Palmer stood in for "GMTV"'s Lorraine Kelly, presenting her "Lorraine Live section" for a week in 1999, reporting from Miami on fashion, lifestyle, health and fitness. [cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/441657.stm | title= EastEnder Patsy to join GMTV | publisher = BBC | author = | date = 1999-09-08 | accessdate=2007-04-09] She has also co-hosted Channel 4's "Big Breakfast" as a guest presenter for a week. Palmer has released a number of hit fitness videos and DVDs, "Patsy Palmer - The club workout" (2000), "Patsy Palmer - The urban workout" (2002) and "Patsy Palmer's Ibiza workout" (2002). In 2006 Palmer made an appearance in "The Allstar Workout". Palmer's film work includes the shorts "Another Green World" and "Love Story", directed by Nick Love.

In 2005 Palmer took part in BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" show, to raise money for the "Children in Need" fund. She has also made a cameo appearance with Catherine Tate's sketch show "The Catherine Tate Show". In February 2007, she was a jury member on the BBC programme "The Verdict" where various celebrities ruled on a contemporary and controversial case, based on evidence and examples from real life.

Palmer's autobiography "All of Me" was released in the UK on 5 April 2007. In it she describes her ascent to fame, her struggle with addiction and how she has battled to overcome her problems. In addition to acting, Palmer has set up her own company, Palmer Cutler, with a friend, selling beauty and self-tanning products. [cite web | url = http://www.redandproud.com/The%20Red%20HotSeat%20-%20Patsy%20Palmer.htm | title= Patsy Palmer - In the Red Hot Seat| publisher = Red and Proud | accessdate=2007-11-14]

In 2008 a short film staring Palmer was released by housing and homelessness charity Shelter [ [http://trapped.keystothefuture.org.uk/?r=hp2 Trapped - an interactive short film by Seefood films ] ]

Awards

1999:
* Palmer became the first ever soap actress to be nominated for 'Best Actress' at The Royal Television Society Awards

2000:
* Won 'Best Actress' at the TV Quick/TV Choice Awards
* Won 'Best Actress' at the Inside Soap Awards
* Won 'Best Actress' at The British Soap Awards
* Won 'Best Onscreen Partnership alongsde Sid Owen at The British Soap Awards

Personal life

Patsy was closely linked with Victoria Beckham in the early 90s, according to Beckham, Palmer gave her career advice before she was part of The Spice Girls. Palmer has been married twice she has three children; Fenton (born June 2000) and Emilia (born July 2001). She has another son called Charlie (born 1992) from her previous relationship with boxer Alfie Rothwell. As of 2008, she lives with her husband and three children in Brighton, East Sussex, England. Her brother, Harry Harris, is married to Lindsey Coulson, the actress who played her on-screen mother Carol Jackson in "EastEnders".

Palmer has admitted to being a drug and alcohol addict and revealed that during her early stint on "EastEnders" she frequently turned up on set either still "high" or "horribly hungover". She has said that she started experimenting with alcohol and drugs from the age of ten and her addiction lasted for 24 years. She's been clean of drugs and alcohol since September 2004.

Palmer suffered from bullying during her school years. Because of this she has lent her support to the Department for Education's anti-bullying campaign in 2000. [cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1068898.stm | title= Bullying drove TV star to steal | publisher = BBC | author = | date = 2000-12-13 | accessdate=2007-04-09]

She is close friends with Sid Owen (Ricky Butcher). In an interview in March 2008, Palmer said that somebody shouts "Rickaaaay" at her at least three times a day. [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a92833/patsy-palmer-and-sid-owen.html EastEnders - Interview - Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen - Digital Spy ] ]

In August 2008 she was pictured drunk leaving a nightclub with co-star Jo Joyner. She has appeared on television shows such as The Paul O'Grady Show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, The Charlotte Church Show, The Friday Night Project and daytime show Loose Women. In an interview in March 2008 she claimed that Barbara Windsor has become her second mum since meeting on EastEnders in the early 90s.

References

External links

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