| Shirley Carter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Linda Henry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2006–2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 3270 7 December 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 6619 29 December 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Dominic Treadwell-Collins[1] Alexander Lamb[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Kate Harwood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | EastEnders: E20 (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shirley Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Linda Henry. She first appeared on 7 December 2006, during episodes set in Dorset. This is Henry's second role in EastEnders, as she previously played prostitute Lorraine Salter (1991–1992). Henry took a break from the show on 7 September 2012,[3] before returning on 3 December 2012.[4] On 29 December 2022, Henry took an extended break from the show, with Shirley hoped to return at some point in the future.[5] However, there is currently no confirmed date for her return. Shirley is one of several EastEnders characters to appear in the internet spin-off series EastEnders: E20.
Some of her storylines have included trying and failing to rebuild relationships with her children Carly (Kellie Shirley) and Deano (Matt Di Angelo); a friendship with Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison); a volatile relationship with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), which ends when Phil covers up his son Ben's (Joshua Pascoe) murder of Heather; the introduction of her son Mick (Danny Dyer), who at first was believed to be her brother, and his family; an affair with Phil despite him being engaged to Sharon Rickman (Letitia Dean); accidentally shooting Phil; a feud with Mick over her refusal to believe that Dean has raped Mick's wife Linda (Kellie Bright); a custody battle with Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) over her and Dean's daughter Jade Green (Amaya Edward); a feud with Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ); discovering that her sister Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White) has been murdered by Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith); vowing revenge on Phil for framing Tina for Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) attack, which led her to Gray's violence; and grieving for Mick when he is presumed dead at sea.
Former EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has described her as a "new icon" of the show.
- ^ 'EastEnders': Luisa Bradshaw-White to play Shirley's sister Tina
- ^ Alex Lamb on Twitter: "@LnSfan remember @dominictc & I created Shirley. When we first met her we knew there was a 3rd son. Her history's being revealed not ruined." Archived 5 March 2016
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (27 August 2012). "Shirley issues a warning as she leaves Walford – EastEnders Spoiler – Soaps – Digital Spy". Digital Spy.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel; Dainty, Sophie (21 January 2013). "Soapland's joiners, movers and leavers – Soaps Site New". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Knight, Lewis (29 December 2022). "Has Shirley Carter left EastEnders for good after Mick's exit?". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2023.