Lorraine Stanley, who is best known for playing brash and outspoken Karen Taylor on EastEnders, is virtually unidentifiable as a young Big Mo in a throwback episode set in the Swinging Sixties.
The 44-year-old actress normally plays one of the soap’s most well-liked characters – Karen, who arrived in Walford in 2017 with her huge brood of kids and is known for her loud mouth and devotion to her big family.
But back in 2004, you would be forgiven for having no idea the same person was playing Mo Harris – or “Big Mo” – in a BBC One episode dedicated to the tumultuous history between her and legend Pat Butcher.
(Image: BBC)
The spin-off delved into the pair’s friendship and explored what caused their lasting feud which continued right up until Pat’s death in 2012.
The story follows Pat – played by Pam St. Clement – visiting her brother Jimmy Harris’ graveside, who was also Big Mo’s husband.
The soap took a step back in time to the Sixties and Pat and Mo are seen as inseparable friends but when Mo marries Pat’s brother Jimmy, the two friends have a major, EastEnders-style fall-out that lingers on for years.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
The animosity between the two reaches a breaking point when Pat believes that Mo cheated on her late brother and always held a grudge.
While Lorraine played the part of Big Mo Harris actor Emma Cooke portrayed a young Pat.
The pair both donned fashionable Sixties clothes and hair-dos and Lorraine is glowing as a young bride.
The look is a world apart from the usual denim attire she wears as Karen.
(Image: BBC)
EastEnders viewers recently saw Big Mo leave Walford to go on a cruise with fat Elvis.
The character is mother to Keanu (Danny Walters), Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley and Chatham – played by real-life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs.
In real life, Lorraine is married to Mark Perez and they recently celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary.
She posted a sweet picture of the loved-up pair and said: “Happy 7th anniversary to this beaut @markyp1977.
“Thank you for putting up with me.
“Seven years has taken its toll haha look at us here on one of our first dates looking so young and slim. I love you to bits!! Here’s to many more.”
The star added a series of kisses to the end of her heartfelt, before adding a series of hashtags including ‘anniversary’, ‘love’ and ‘soulmate’.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
