Lydia Simmonds

In-universe information
In-universe information
Sons	Norman Simmonds
Daughters	June Butcher
Grandsons	Ricky Butcher
Granddaughters	Clare Butcher; Diane Butcher; Janine Butcher;
Other relatives	Liam Butcher; Tiffany Butcher; Scarlett Butcher;

Lydia Simmonds
Lydia Simmonds
EastEnders character
	Heather Chasen as Lydia Simmonds
Portrayed by	Margaret Tyzack (2011); Heather Chasen (2011)
First appearance	Episode 4189; 5 April 2011
Last appearance	Episode 4229; 14 June 2011
Classification	Former; recurring
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
	; Margaret Tyzack as Lydia Simmonds
Sons	Norman Simmonds
In-universe information
Sons	Norman Simmonds
Daughters	June Butcher
Grandsons	Ricky Butcher
Granddaughters	Clare Butcher; Diane Butcher; Janine Butcher;
Other relatives	Liam Butcher; Tiffany Butcher; Scarlett Butcher;

Lydia Simmonds is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, initially played by Margaret Tyzack and then by Heather Chasen. She is the maternal grandmother of Ricky (Sid Owen) and Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). She made her debut on April 5, 2011, was portrayed by Tyzack, who left the show for health reasons on April 13, and appeared as Lydia in three episodes before dying on June 25, 2011. Chasen appeared in the role from 21 April. The character was killed-off and Chasen made her last appearance on 13 June 2011, and, though not credited for it, did a voice-over for the 14 June episode. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood later said that Lydia's storyline was perfect and that Chasen made the part of Lydia her own.

Described as "brilliantly funny" and a "cantankerous, rich old bag of a grannie", EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy (who plays Sonia Fowler) praised the introduction of Lydia, whilst a writer for the Daily Mirror said the bond between Lydia and Janine was the "most touching and entertaining in Soapland." Kirkwood later stated that he had a "soft spot" for Lydia's last episode and Metro's Rachel Tarley deemed Lydia "brilliantly funny."