| Manda Best | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EastEnders character | |||||||
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| Portrayed by | Josie Lawrence | ||||||
| Duration | 2009–2010 | ||||||
| First appearance | Episode 3749 6 March 2009 | ||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 3948 12 February 2010 | ||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
| Introduced by | Diederick Santer | ||||||
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Manda Best is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Josie Lawrence. Manda was introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer, and made her first appearance on 6 March 2009 and her last on 12 February 2010.
The character was given a backstory linking her to two characters already established in the serial; she is an ex-girlfriend of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and an old friend of Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi), the latter of whom Manda was paired romantically with. Her family was extended when her disabled son, Adam Best (David Proud), who has spina bifida, was introduced. Adam's introduction was scripted to cause discontent in Manda and Minty's relationship, with Adam taking an instant dislike to Minty. It was announced in November 2009 that Lawrence had quit EastEnders as she wanted to pursue other projects, making her final appearance on 12 February 2010, after ending her relationship with Minty.