Jessie Wallace, best known for playing Kat Slater on EastEnders, is reportedly taking a temporary break from the soap to perform in panto. The actress, who has been a fan favourite since her character arrived in Walford in 2000, has been given permission by BBC bosses to take several weeks off at the end of the year.
Jessie Wallace to Play Captain Hook
According to The Sun, Wallace will play Captain Hook in a production of Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre during the Christmas panto season. A source close to the show said: "Jessie will be taking a short break from the soap to appear in panto. Bosses agreed to the short break because it's over Christmas and won't hugely affect filming. It's a huge bonus for Jessie. She's one of the show's biggest names and can command huge fees for panto appearances."
The exact reason for Kat Slater's departure from Albert Square has not yet been revealed, but the break is expected to last for several weeks.
Zoe Slater Character Killed Off
The news comes shortly after it was revealed that Wallace's on-screen daughter, Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan, is being killed off. Zoe and Kat's dynamic has been strained since Zoe left the Square in 2005, following the iconic "You ain't my mother" scene and the harrowing forced pregnancy storyline that captivated the nation 26 years ago.
Michelle Ryan left the soap in 2005 to star in the Bionic Woman remake in Hollywood. She returned to EastEnders last year after 20 years, but asked for time off earlier this year and ultimately quit. Scriptwriters have decided to kill off her character, with final scenes already filmed. Viewers will see Zoe's dramatic departure in a few months.
A source told The Sun: "Michelle's long-awaited return has been somewhat flat and lacklustre. There's been a backlash about her comeback, leaving some fans disappointed with her on-screen presence. There has been some disappointment backstage that the return was short-lived as everyone loved Zoe Slater's historic moments."
The Daily Star has contacted Jessie Wallace's representatives and the BBC for comment.
