RONNI ANCONA JOINS THE CAST OF EASTENDERS

Ronni Ancona is heading to Walford for a stint to play the character of Bea – Linda Carter’s acquaintance from school.

Multi-award-winning Ronni has had a highly versatile career, spanning over 30 years, in TV and Film, with a plethora of diverse credits including Last Tango in Halifax, Penelope, Skins and The Trip, to name but a few.

Whilst Ronni has never officially graced the streets of Walford up until now, she is no stranger to Albert Square, having previously impersonated EastEnders very own Peggy Mitchell, Sharon Watts and Kat Slater, amongst others, in The Big Impression, a BAFTA-winning show, for which she received great acclaim.

In scenes that are set to air in the New Year, Linda and Bea come face-to-face at their high school reunion, but it quickly becomes apparent that they both have different accounts of their time at school…

As Bea settles into Walford, she soon finds herself in the heart of the drama, and whilst little is currently known about her backstory, she is sure to leave a lasting impression on all those she encounters…

On joining the cast of EastEnders, Ronni Ancona says: “I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life.”

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Ronni Ancona to EastEnders playing the character of Bea. Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her.”

EastEnders continues on BBC One.