List of minor EastEnders characters (1987)

The following is a list of minor characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders" in 1987, by order of first appearance.

Tina Hopkins

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Tina Hopkins
actor_name=Eleanor Rhodes
years=1987
first=5 February 1987
last=10 September 1987
home=Ilford
occupation=Student

Tina Hopkins was introduced as Ian Beale’s girlfriend in February 1987. Ian’s friend Kelvin Carpenter took a shine to Tina and made several passes at her, which she shunned.

Tina got a job working at Naima Jeffery’s grocery store, the First til Last, and by May 1987 she and Ian had decided that they wanted to move in together. They managed to persuade Kelvin to rent them one of his father’s flats, and although their parents’ were against it, they moved in with each other in July 1987.

Things did not go well for the couple. They found it difficult to pay the rent and when money went missing from the cash register at Tina’s workplace, Naima accused her of stealing it (it was actually one of Mary Smith’s wayward friends named Sandra). Tina eventually managed to clear her name with the help of Rod Norman, who set a trap for the real thief.

Shortly after, Tina’s parents showed up in Walford on an impromptu visit from Ilford. They let themselves into Tina’s flat and were horrified to discover what a mess it was in. When they discovered that Simon Wicks and Magda Czajkowski lived next door in an adjoining room, they decided that Tina could not remain living there. Despite Tina’s protests, they packed her bags and dragged her back to Ilford to live with them in September 1987. Tina was not seen again.

Emine Osman

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Emine Osman
actor_name=Pelim Ahmet
years=1987–1988
first=26 February 1987
last=29 March 1988
home=Cyprus
occupation=Student
father=Mehmet Osman
mother=Guizin Osman
brothers=Rayif Osman
Murat Osman
uncles=Ali Osman
aunts=Ayse Osman
grandfathers=Hassan Osman
great uncles=Ahmed
cousins=Hassan Osman
Little Ali Osman|

Emine Osman was the daughter of Mehmet and Guizin Osman. She was first seen on screen in February 1987. Her father had gambled away their home and then disappeared, so Emine, her mother, and her two brothers, Murat and Rayif, were forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali and his wife Sue.

Emine and her siblings would fool around and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. The Osman children later became friendly with Luke and Sophie Willmott-Brown. They moved out of the Square in May that year when their father returned, but occasionally showed up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

In November 1987, Guizin heard news that Emine had been injured by a firework in a storyline that hoped to highlight the dangers of children playing with fireworks. Emine's last appearance was in March 1988, but after her parents had a huge argument, Emine and the rest of her family moved to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Rayif Osman

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Rayif Osman
actor_name=Billy Hassan
years=1987–1988
first=26 February 1987
last=29 March 1988
home=Cyprus
occupation=Student
father=Mehmet Osman
mother=Guizin Osman
brothers=Murat Osman
sisters=Emine Osman
uncles=Ali Osman
aunts=Ayse Osman
grandfathers=Hassan Osman
great uncles=Ahmed
cousins=Hassan Osman
Little Ali Osman

Rayif Osman was the elder son of Mehmet and Guizin Osman. He was first seen on screen in February 1987. Rayif, his mother, sister Emine and brother Murat were all forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali and his wife Sue, after Mehmet gambled away their home and then disappeared.

Rayif and his siblings would fool around and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. They also had a penchant for playing on arcade games and fruit machines and would occasionally sneak away to play on them against their mother's wishes.

The Osman children later became friendly with Luke and Sophie Willmott-Brown. They moved out of the Square in May that year when their father returned, but occasionally showed up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

Rayif's last appearance was in March 1988, but after his parents had an argument, Rayif and the rest of his family moved to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Murat Osman

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Murat Osman
actor_name=Eddie Izzet
years=1987–1988
first=26 February 1987
last=29 March 1988
home=Cyprus
father=Mehmet Osman
mother=Guizin Osman
brothers=Rayif Osman
sisters=Emine Osman
uncles=Ali Osman
aunts=Ayse Osman
grandfathers=Hassan Osman
great uncles=Ahmed
cousins=Hassan Osman
Little Ali Osman|

Murat Osman was the son of Mehmet and Guizin Osman. He was first seen on screen in February 1987 when his father had gambled away their home and then disappeared, so Murat, his mother, sister Emine and brother Rayif, were forced to move in with Mehmet's brother Ali and his wife Sue. Murat was the youngest of the three children.

Murat and his siblings would fool around and get into trouble, often letting their pet boa constrictor (named Crush) loose to scare the residents of the Square. The Osman children later became friendly with Luke and Sophie Willmott-Brown. They moved out of the Square in May that year when their father returned, but occasionally showed up on the Square to cause more trouble for their parents.

Murat's last appearance was in March 1988, but after his parents had an argument, Murat and the rest of his family moved to Northern Cyprus in March 1989.

Luke Willmott-Brown

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Luke Willmott-Brown
actor_name=Henry Power
years=1987, 1992
first=31 March 1987
last=14 January 1992
dob=
status= Single
occupation= Student
father=James Willmott-Brown
mother=Elizabeth Willmott-Brown
sisters=Sophie Willmott-Brown
grandfathers=Denis Willmott-Brown
Henry Bassett
grandmothers=Dulcie Bassett

Luke Willmott-Brown was the young son of rapist James Willmott-Brown. He also had a sister called Sophie. He was first seen visiting his father in March 1987, but went back to live with his mother in July. During his stay, he and his sister were friendly with Mehmet and Guizin Osman's children, Emine, Rayif and Murat.

He was later seen in January 1992, visiting his father after his release from prison. This was his last appearance. It is assumed that he now lives with his mother, as his father was later imprisoned for rape again.

ophie Willmott-Brown

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Sophie Willmott-Brown
actor_name=Natasha Knight
years=1987, 1992
first=31 March 1987
last=14 January 1992
dob=
status= Single
occupation= Student
father=James Willmott-Brown
mother=Elizabeth Willmott-Brown
brothers=Luke Willmott-Brown
grandfathers=Denis Willmott-Brown
Henry Bassett
grandmothers=Dulcie Bassett

Sophie Willmott-Brown was the young daughter of rapist James Willmott-Brown. She also had a brother called Luke. She was first seen visiting her father in March 1987, but went back to live with her mother in July. During her stay, her and her brother were friendly with Mehmet and Guizin Osman's children, Emine, Rayif and Murat.

She was later seen in January 1992, visiting her father after his release from prison. This was her last appearance. It is assumed that she now lives with her mother, as her father was later imprisoned for rape again.

June Watkins

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=June Watkins
actor_name=Madaline Blakeney
years=1987
first=9 April 1987
last=16 April 1987

June Watkins was the godmother of Kathy Beale's daughter Donna Ludlow. Kathy had given Donna up for adoption shortly after her birth, as she was conceived from rape. June brought Kathy news that Donna wanted to make contact with her, but told her that it was her decision. Kathy decided not to see Donna. [" [http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/walfordweb/whoswho-show.php?id=920 June Watkins] ", "Walford Web". URL last accessed 2007-04-21.] [" [http://www.walford.net/cgi-bin/profile.pl?record=0183 June Watkins] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-21.]

Reg Sparrow

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Reg Sparrow
actor_name=Richard Ireson
years=1987-1988
occupation=Brewery area manager
first=14 April 1987
last=27 October 1988

Reg Sparrow [" [http://www.walford.net/cgi-bin/profile.pl?record=0184 Reg Sparrow] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] was the area manager for Luxford & Copley brewery following the retirement of James Willmott-Brown. He oversaw the running of The Queen Vic pub, which was being managed by Den Watts. [" [http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/walfordweb/whoswho-show.php?id=889 Mr Sparrow (First name unknown)] ", "Walford Web". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] The Vic's profits were floundering following Den's separation from his wife Angie. Reg came to Walford to assess the problem. He wanted the money that Den owed the brewery and demanded to see the pub's invoices. Den tried to avoid this by steering clear of the pub all day and leaving his barstaff to put Reg off. This plan failed due to Angie, who happily informed Reg where Den kept all the pub's bookwork, just to spite her husband. Den was forced to sell his car to pay off some of his debt.

Later in the year Sparrow joined Den in one of the Osmans' notorious card games. Den fleeced him and managed to win a vast sum of his money, although he later gave him back half in return for a future favour. Sparrow was partial to monetary bribes and often turned a blind eye to Den's dodgy dealings. In 1988 Pat Wicks and Frank Butcher were forced to bribe Sparrow in order to get him to grant them tenancy at the Vic. After they were instated Sparrow continued to exert his influence over Frank, by persuading him to throw an exuberant birthday party at the Vic in his honour, and then disappearing without paying the bill.

Oxley

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Oxley
actor_name=Colun Gallivan
years=1987
appeared=14 April 1987

Oxley was dubbed the "Walford attacker" when he began a series of night-time assaults on the women of Walford. Several female residents of Albert Square had encounters with Oxley, but managed to escape before they were harmed. Pat Wicks wasn't so lucky, and she was brutally assaulted in February 1987 and left battered and unconscious in the middle of Albert Square. The police had no luck tracing Oxley, as he left no clues as to his identity.

However in April 1987, Oxley's luck ran out when he attempted to attack Debbie Wilkins in the launderette and was warded off by her self-defence moves. The police were able to apprehend Oxley and he was arrested and charged. [" [http://www.walford.net/cgi-bin/profile.pl?record=0185 Oxley] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-21.]

Edie Smith

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Edie Smith
actor_name=Eileen O'Brien
years=1987-1988
first=12 May 1987
last=31 May 1988
status=Married
home=Stockport
husband=Chris Smith
sons=Brendan Smith
Gary Smith
daughters=Mary Smith
Bridey Smith
granddaughters=Annie Smith

Edie Smith was a religious and strict woman, which alienated her daughter, Mary, so much that she ran away from Stockport to escape her. Mary moved to London after falling pregnant, and chose not to inform her family about her child. When Mary's father tracked her down and discovered he had a granddaughter, Mary made him promise not to tell Edie. She worried that her mother would interfere and take over. Her father, Chris, paid heed to his daughter's wishes for several years. However, when he discovered that Mary had left her daughter Annie alone in her flat to prostitute herself, he decided to take action. He informed Edie and she came to Walford in May 1987 to sort Mary out. Despite Mary's protests, she took Annie back to Stockport to live with her, leaving Mary distraught.

With the help of Rod Norman, Mary managed to sort her life out. She contacted her mother to bring Annie back, but Edie kept refusing. Eventually Mary became so depressed that Rod contacted Chris and told him Mary was considering suicide. A concerned Chris then finally brought Annie home to Mary.

Chris decided to move to London early in 1988 in order to open a haulage company. Things did not go according to plan, and he spent much of his time drinking himself into a stupor. Eventually, Mary contacted her mother to come and sort Chris out and the Smith family finally managed to sort out their differences. Shortly after, Edie began to consider moving to London permanently. This was too much for Mary to bear however, and she began to rebel against her parents once again. Edie tried to intervene, but Mary was hostile and told her that she would kill her if she ever tried to take Annie from her again. Shortly after, Mary decided to leave Walford. She took Annie, and jumped on a bus to destinations unknown. Edie refused to waste anymore concern on her unruly daughter and she left Walford to return to Stockport. Her last appearance was in May 1988.

Graham Clark

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Graham Clark
actor_name=Gary Webster
years=1987-1988
first=16 June 1987
last=19 January 1988
status=Married
home=Walford
wife=Kate Clark
brothers=Barry Clark

Graham Clark grew up in Walford and went to school with Nick Cotton, Rod Norman and Darren Roberts. After getting involved in criminal activity with Nick, Graham served time in prison, but it later transpired that Nick had commited the crime that he was imprisoned for. Graham never forgave Nick for allowing him to go to prison for his crime.

Graham was very protective of his younger brother Barry Clark. Barry was afraid to admit to Graham that he was homosexual and in a relationship with Colin Russell. He tried to cover this up, but was relieved when Graham confessed that he had known he was gay all along and did not have a problem with it. Graham got married to a girl named Kate in 1987 after she fell pregnant with his child. Graham was looking forward to the prospect of becoming a father and asked Barry to be Godfather; however, Kate miscarried weeks before the baby was due in November 1987. Graham and Barry were devastated.

Graham got involved in the plight of Colin, who was targeted by the criminal organisation known as "The Firm". The Firm wanted Colin, who was doing jury service, to give a verdict of "not guilty" for one of their associates, and they used Den Watts to lean on him to do so. Graham intervened, he along with a gang of thugs and his pet Alsation, Prince, confronted Den and ordered him to stay away from Colin and Barry. Nick's father, Charlie Cotton, used Graham's animosity towards Nick in order to get rid of his son. Nick had been hiding from Graham, but Charlie allowed Graham into their house to confront him. Graham ordered Nick to leave Walford or face the repercussions; Nick fled for his own safety. Graham was last seen in January 1988, giving support to Colin over his recent break-up with Barry.

Aisha Roberts

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Aisha Roberts
actor_name=Aisha Jacob
years=1987–1989
first=18 August 1987
last=17 August 1989
father=Darren Roberts
mother=Darlene Roberts
halfbrothers=Junior Roberts
aunts=Carmel Jackson
Maxine Roberts

Aisha Roberts was played by Aisha Jacob — who was the real life daughter of Judith Jacob, the actress who played her on-screen aunt, Carmel Jackson, in the serial. [" [http://www.wgazette.com/spr06-carmel.html Judith Jacob looks back on Carmel] " "Walford Gazette". URL last accessed 2006-10-12]

Aisha was the young daughter of Darren and Darlene Roberts and the half sister of Junior. She came to Walford in August 1987 to live with her aunt Carmel, following the breakdown of her parents marriage. Darren was an irresponsible parent and the care of the young toddler was left mainly to Carmel and Junior - who was forced to take and collect Aisha from nursery school, making him miss school himself.

In July 1988, Darren abandoned both his children and left Walford without a word to anyone. Aisha was then sent away from Walford to live with her grandparents. However, the following year, she was sent back to Carmel, much to the annoyance of her abusive husband, Matthew Jackson. Matthew found caring for Aisha a chore and would get annoyed with her for crying, wandering into his bedroom constantly and making his flat a mess. Eventually Carmel and Matthew's marriage came to an end after Junior stabbed Matthew in self-defence. In August 1989 Aisha's grandfather died, and so the entire Roberts family moved away from Walford to tend to Aisha's grieving grandmother.

Derek Taylor

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Derek Taylor
actor_name=Ken Sharrock
years=1987
first=8 September 1987
last=17 September 1987

Derek Taylor [" [http://www.walford.net/cgi-bin/profile.pl?record=0223 Derek Taylor] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] was a friendly passer-by who stopped to help when the Walford ladies' darts team's coach broke down on the way to the Isle of Dogs. He formed a friendship with Pauline Fowler, and followed the team to the Isle of Dogs. [" [http://www.walford.net/update/19870908.htm TUE 08-SEP-87] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] [" [http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/walfordweb/whoswho-show.php?id=968 Derek] ", "Walford Web". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] He was attracted to Pauline, and turned up in Walford on 15 September 1987 to see her in the launderette. He met Pauline's husband Arthur, and her sister-in-law Kathy Beale, offering her a deal to sell her knitware. He went back to the Fowlers' house, but got into an argument with Arthur when Arthur asked him to leave. [" [http://www.walford.net/update/19870915.htm TUE 15-SEP-87] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.] Pauline turned him down when he visited again on 17 September, and he left Walford. [" [http://www.walford.net/update/19870917.htm 17-SEP-87] ", "walford.net". URL last accessed 2007-04-27.]

Martin Hunter

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Martin Hunter
actor_name=Peter Purves
years=1987
first=13 October 1987
last=20 October 1987
occupation=TV presenter

Martin Hunter was a TV presenter who went to Walford to make a documentary about East End life. He promised to feature Den Watts in the documentary, but James Wilmott-Brown diverted his attention, and introduced Hunter to his chief barmaid Angie Watts, and tried to get the documentary focused on his wine bar, The Dagmar. Wilmott-Brown introduced Hunter to Colin Russell (as one of the new breed of people in Albert Square) and Pauline Fowler (as one of the older type of people in the square).

When the documentary was aired, the residents of Walford were horrified at how Hunter had misrepresented them. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4482797.stm In pictures: Celebrity soap cameos] ", "BBC News". URL last accessed 2007-03-15.]

Gerry Fairweather

Infobox EastEnders character 3
character_name=Gerry Fairweather
actor_name=Jason Watkins
years=1987-1988
first=17 November 1987
last=5 January 1988
occupation=Estate agent
brothers=Derek Fairweather

Gerry Fairweather was a yuppie estate agent who used to frequent the Dagmar Winebar. Magda Czajkowski asked him to help her find a property in Walford, but manageress of the Dagmar, Angie Watts, blamed him and his his type for the gentrification of the East End. Gerry often infuriated Angie with sexist and rude remarks, and when he, his brother, and his friends were having their Christmas party in the Dagmar, she snapped and punched Gerry in the face, knocking him to the floor. Gerry threatened to sue the Dagmar, until Angie's daughter Sharon made him see how humiliated he would feel to stand up in court and confess to being beaten by a woman. Gerry never returned to the Dagmar.

Alan McIntyre

Infobox EastEnders character


character_name=Alan McIntyre
actor_name=Pip Miller
years=1987–1989
first=3 December 1987
last=10 October 1989
status=Single
occupation=Landlord|

Alan McIntyre first appeared in December 1987 as the downstairs neighbour to Sue and Ali Osman. Alan would play his music extremely loudly at all hours as well as hold unruly parties. The Osmans were left exhausted and irritable from severe lack of sleep. After much pressuring from Sue, Ali was forced to reason with Alan, but Alan refused to take their complaints on board. When the noise continued, the Osmans went down to Alan's flat and threatened to complain to the landlord in order to make him stop, only to find out that Alan was their landlord and that he'd bought their flat.

Things then proceeded to get infinitely worse for the Osmans at the hands of Alan, when their flat was broken into and their carpet was defecated on. Ali and Alan had several fights and Alan often resorted to racial insults.

In 1988 Alan managed to patch up his differences with Ali and he also purchased James Willmott-Brown's house and converted in into flats. He allowed Donna Ludlow to have first choice of one of the flats in exchange for sex.

In October 1989 Ali was going through some money problems, so as always, he turned to gambling to get himself out of debt. However, he picked the wrong opponent in Alan, and after he had a bad lose and was unable to pay his rent, Alan kicked him out of his flat, forcing Ali to return to Cyprus. This was Alan's last appearance.
Pip Millers nephew now appears in EastEnders and is playing the part of Oscar Branning - Max and Tanya's Baby son.

Brendan Smith

Infobox EastEnders character 3


character_name=Brendan Smith
actor_name=Ian Wilkinson
years=1987
appeared=25 December 1987
status=Single
home=Stockport
father=Chris Smith
mother=Edie Smith
brothers=Gary Smith
sisters=Mary Smith
Bridey Smith
nieces=Annie Smith

Brendan Smith was the brother of Mary Smith. He lived in Stockport with his parents Chris and Edie. He came to Walford on Christmas day 1987 to visit his father and niece, Annie, in hospital. After getting drunk, Chris had taken Annie and attempted to drive home to Stockport. However he crashed the car into a wall, and both he and Annie were hospitalised. The Smith family were overjoyed to discover that both Annie and Chris were not seriously harmed.

References