Eastenders Revealed - BBC Choice
Interview with Derek Martin
What is like on Eastenders?
When I first turned up, the first time, I felt comfortable. It was like putting on your favourite old coat. I thought "yeah, this is it" and that was before I said a word.
What about working with the girls?
I never met them before or worked with them before, and when I first met them as actresses, when we did a workshop together, we all seemed to gel and get on well. It was as if I really were their dad.
What about Kat?
Kat's a bit of a cow but I love her to death. She's over the age of consent so I can only say so much like, you're living in my house so you obey my rules.
Who are you going to be Paired up with?
The girls are trying to fix me up with Pauline.
How did you get into Eastenders?
Well there were certain things watching television and films that used to annoy me. When an actor was playing a Londoner or Cockney, he'd have the flat cap on but would be holding a hammer as if it were a quill pen. "He's never held a shovel or a pick in his life!" I thought to myself, "I could do better than that. They're doing it wrong."
Many years ago when Julia Smith was the big boss and I'd just started my second series of King and Castle, four weeks into it, Julia rang my agent up and said "I've got a lovely part for Derek on Eastenders," and my agent said, "Can it wait four months?" and Julia said "no it must have him in the next four weeks." And it was the part of Frank Butcher.
What about Mo?
Mother in law Mo. The Matriarch. Mo is Mo, as she is on the screen, she is off. She speaks her mind. She is Mo. We get on well because we think similarly, even though she is from South London and I am from the East End, there is that similarity, always looking for a bargain. We're market people - it's that inbred thing.
What about the future?
Even before I was an actor. I wanted to go west, get to Hollywood. It took me thirty two years to get as far as Heathrow. But one day I'll get there even if its to stand on the pavement or look at all the sights I'll do it because I'm determined.
Tuesday 10 October 2000
TVTimes - Soap Special - Charlie's Angels
They may not have the hair flicks or all-American tans of the Seventies small-screen icons, but Walfords own version of Charlie's Angels - Charlie Slater's daughters - don't half scrub up well and you can bet your bottom dollar they're a whole lot more fun than the originals. One main thing's for sure, they've certainly got no airs or graces. What you see is what you get - you might even find yourself sharing a chain store changing room with one or rubbing shoulders with another at your local.
Billed as the glamourpuss of the family, stunning raven-haired Jessie Wallace (who plays good time girl Kat) has attracted the most frenzied reaction from the media. After just one week on the show, the former make-up artist found herself at the centre of a storm in a press tea cup over remarks she was alleged to have made about Essex girls being bitchy.
" I never said those things. I'm an Essex girl myself, so why on earth would I?" she says, still smarting. "I said one tiny thing about experiencing bitchiness in the past, and it was blown up out of all proportion. It really upset me, but I suppose it's good it happened early on, because you learn from your mistakes. Now I know I have to watch every word I say."
Jessie, 29, lives alone with her shih-tzu dog Bailey in Loughton Essex, where she worked for three years as a barmaid. What with the catty rivalry brewing between Kat and Queen Vic barmaid Mel, it would certainly spice things up a bit if Kat joins her in pulling pints. Jessie's not sure: "Kat's very lazy and doesn't believe in working, but who knows? I want Kat to be the bitchiest ever female in soaps though, even more than queen bitch Cindy Beale, who I thought was fantastic."
If Kat is the cattiest Slater, Little Mo is the gentlest and most angelic. She's played by experienced TV and film actress Kacey Ainsworth, who previously made an impact in hard-hitting drama's such as The Beggar Bride and Kid In The Corner. "I can't believe the public's reaction to us. I'm getting 50-plus letters a day," she says, showing me an ample bundle of envelopes she has spent several hours addressing herself, to send signed photos to enthusiastic fans.
"I was buying a sofa a couple of weeks ago and my credit card was rejected. But the lady was really understanding about it and after I sorted it out with the bank, she said I knew you were good for the money, you're a Slater!"
Elaine Lordan (Who plays Lynne, the eldest of the four) is also no stranger to the fame game, having first come to public notice playing the girlfriend of another Eastender, Todd Carty, in Grange Hill spin-off Tucker's Luck when she was younger. But she admits nothing prepared her for the overwhelming attention the Slaters have had.
"I think the reason we seem to have been such a success with viewers is because we work so well together," she says. "We auditioned as a unit and went out together socially so we knew each other really well before we started filming. We genuinely do get on and have a real laugh."
Chocolate-box pretty Michelle Ryan plays Zoe, the baby of the family who's already set her sights on Jamie Mitchell. Fresh out of school and sweet 16, Michelle's been thrown somewhat in at the deep end, but the level-headed teenager appears to be taking all the attention in her stride. "It's fantastic, I love it, to be honest," she gushes. "But there's no danger of me getting carried away with it all, my parents and brother keep my feet firmly on the ground. The only problem I'm having is in signing autographs. I've got to learn to write them a lot quicker,' she giggles, skipping off to join her three big 'sisters' in the TVTimes photographic studio.
Seconds later the flashlights are going as the foursome strike their Charlie's Angels poses, pouting and preening to the camera. In between shots they collapse with laughter, in playful mockery of themselves. And good reason they have to laugh too... all the way to the proverbial bank.
Also :Derek Martin on his role as Charlie Slater.
He was once up for the role of Dirty Den, but Derek Martin, Eastenders' newcomer Charlie Slater, is glad he's playing a good guy. "In everything else I kill, kick, rape, run over, shoot and murder everything in sight," he cackles. "I'm quite pleased they've given me the chance to be a nice man."
All about Soap Issue 14
Introducing Gemma McCluskie
We find out more about Eastenders' new girl, Kerry
What can you tell us about your character?
Her name is Kerry and she's a friend of Zoe Slater. She first turns up in walford at Robbie's 21st birthday party and it's love at first sight - as far as he is concerned! Kerry is mad and a bit like a volcano! She walks into a room and causes complete chaos! If she thinks something, she'll just go ahead and say it! Kerry is a bit of a live wire.
What was your first scene like?
Really quick! It was at the party and there was a little bit of dancing and a bit of chat with Robbie and that was it. It only took about five minutes to do!
What would you like to see happen to Kerry?
I'd love for her to marry Robbie and stay in the Square! That would be really nice. I think they make a very good couple because he is quite mellow and she's the complete opposite!
What's it like working with Dean Gaffney, who plays Robbie?
Brilliant! He is really, really nice. We have a great laugh. Working with Natalie Cassidy (Sonia) is great too. We both went to the same drama school so I have known her for ages. I forgot one of my lines in my first scene and she was like, "Gemma, don't worry! Just go for it!" Natalie is really sweet.
What other TV have you done?
I used to do a children's series called No Sweat and I've also been on Disney Club.
TV times - Award special.
Big brother winner "Ah Craig" is clearly not impressed with his new fame. "I'm a quiet bloke at heart." insisted Mr. Popular (Pictured with the Slater family.) So he has no hankerings to appear on his favourite show Starts in their eyes. "Well it might be nice to go on as Phil Collins." Meanwhile, Nasty Nick - who's involved in talks to star in a soap - loves all the attention. "It's a privilege to get invites to posh award do's like this." Big Brother host Davina McCall joked: "Am I jealous of the amount pf publicity they're getting? Abso-bloody-lutely,"
TV Quick Issue 44 - Mo's Real Life Troubles
Actress Laila Morse may be making life hell for the residents of Albert Square as the monstrous Mo Harris, but she has a few troubles of her own in real life. Her son Gerry Bromfield is in Wormwood Scrubs on a six week sentence for drink driving.
Gerry, who was found guilty of being two and a half times over the legal limit, was raised by Laila in South London but fell into the drug scene when he was a teenager. He has already served two years in Wandsworth jail for theft. He was offered a chance of fame and fortune by his uncle, Gary Oldman, who cast him alongside Laila in his directorial debut Nil By Mouth.
