EastEnders star Kellie Bright said she is 'honoured' to play a part in another huge soap storyline this year.
On Monday night's episode of the BBC soap, which coincided with EastEnders 38th anniversary, viewers were transported from a lock-in at the Queen Vic to Christmas Day 2023. The scene saw Linda, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox Stacey Slater, Suki Panesar, and Kathy Beale all looking concerned and crowded around a dead body.
Viewers watched as Stacey held out her hands, soaked in blood, while Denise's hand shook as she gripped a broken bottle. Sharon donned a blood stained wedding dress as she crouched down to inspect the mystery person on the floor and picked up one of his arms, where an amber cufflink could be seen before pronouncing: "He's dead."
Discussing the huge soap twist, actress Kellie said she is honoured to play another huge role in a soap storyline after the emotional Christmas 2022 episode bid farewell to the beloved Mick Carter and evil Janine Butcher. Appearing on This Morning to chat to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, the dynamic duo were keen to squeeze as much juicy information out of Kellie as possible in the lead-up to this intense episode.
Holly asked: "Is it someone that we know already? Or could it be someone we've not met yet?"
Keen to answer Holly's probe without giving too much away, Kellie said: "I think it could be either of those. You can imagine can't you, we've all gone right round the houses of who we think it could be. I think there's going to be lots and lots of red herrings. Little things where you're gonna go 'Oh it's definitely him!' And then it's gonna change throughout the year."
Discussing the decision to show the flashforward so early in the year, Holly said it's a smart way to get viewers involved in the storyline early. She added: "That's what is so clever about this it suddenly hooks you in. Right from here, it's like 'We're in' and you want to know."
Phillip chimed in: "I'm assuming also for you guys it's gonna hook you in as well because when you've got Sharon Marshell here, writing these continuing dramas which she's done for years and is absolutely brilliant at it. You're writing ahead, and working ahead but Christmas is a long way away and there's a lead-up for these six incredible actresses. Powerhouses."
Buzzing over the future for Linda on the soap, Kellie continued: "I have to say I feel very honoured to be a part of it. I'm really pleased that I am and that I'm working with them. Because I don't actually get a lot of screen time with them. Tish, obviously we play best friends in the show so I get a lot of time with her, but the rest of them I hardly ever see."
She added: "I think we are gonna have individual stories that intertwine and come together at this final point and I am really excited about it."
Last year, Kellie was already involved in a major storyline for the BBC soap as Danny Dyer left the soap and his role as Mick Carter behind and appears to have drowned at sea.
In the emotional scenes, Linda, played by Kellie, and Janine, played by Charlie Brooks, watched on as the beloved soap star never emerged from the water on Christmas day after saving his wife and unborn child.
Speaking of last years' storyline, Holly said: "What's also lovely is that this Christmas just gone - massive storyline and you already know in February that you've got another one. So that's a lot to look forward to"
Kellie added: "It's been lovely for me in a way because I said goodbye to my on-screen and telly friend, but we are still friends. I'm excited about the future, and I'm excited for this year and telling this story. That's a really nice feeling rather than feeling like 'Ugh what's next? What am I gonna do now he's gone?' So I'm really thrilled."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here .
