EastEnders actress Heather Peace has shared heartwarming news with her fans, revealing that her family has welcomed a brand new, four-legged member.
A Joyful New Arrival After a Tough Year
The star, who plays Eve Panesar-Unwin on the BBC One soap, introduced an adorable puppy named Otis to her three daughters in a surprise Christmas reveal. This cheerful development comes after a profoundly challenging period for Peace and her wife, Ellie Dickinson.
In July of this year, Heather disclosed her own battle with breast cancer, having undergone chemotherapy and surgery following a diagnosis in October 2024. Several months later, she shared the difficult news that Ellie had also received a breast cancer diagnosis earlier in the year.
The Perfect Christmas Surprise
The decision to bring a new dog into their home had been under discussion since the family's previous dog, Bungle, passed away three years ago. Heather noticed Ellie researching dog breeds extensively six weeks ago, a sign she was ready for a new pet.
On December 23, the couple told their daughters—Annie Mary, born in April 2015, and twins Jessie and Lola, born in June 2017—that Ellie was visiting friends in London. In reality, she was travelling up the M6 to collect their new 'schweenie' puppy, a Shih Tzu and Dachshund cross, on Christmas Eve.
Heather captured the magical moment on Instagram on Friday, December 26, posting a video of her girls reading a letter about Otis before meeting him. "We're so excited to welcome him into our family after a very difficult couple of years," she wrote in the caption.
Fans Celebrate the Happy News
Followers of the actress were quick to flood the comments with congratulations and well-wishes for the Peace-Dickinson family. One fan described the puppy as a "beautiful addition to a beautiful family," while others praised the thoughtful way the news was broken to the children.
The arrival of Otis marks a new, hopeful chapter for Heather Peace and her family, symbolising love and resilience following their shared health struggles. The actress continues to star in EastEnders, a role she began in 2021.
