EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks, who is best known for playing the infamous Janine Butcher, has lived an adventurous life on and off-screen.
The star, who first appeared on Albert Square from 1999 until 2004 and then again in 2008 until 2014, is set to make a highly anticipated comeback on the square.
Before leaving the show in 2014, Janine caused a world of chaos on the soap, after she killed her second husband Michael Moon the year before.
In 2018, Charlie, 39, admitted that she would definitely consider rejoining the cast of EastEnders again.
Speaking to Daily Star at the time the actress said: “Who knows what the future holds and I’d never say never.”
She added: “I loved playing Janine. I always think about what she could be up to, what might she be doing.”
For those who are avid fans of the villainous character, they may not know much about the actor’s personal life.
As rumours begin to swirl regarding her return back to the Square, we take a look inside Charlie’s personal life and her pursuits away from the show.
Love life
(Image: PA)
Charlie has been dating her current architect boyfriend Ben Hollington since 2012. The pair met through a mutual friend in the same year.
The BBC actress leads a rather private life and during the early stages of her relationship with Ben, the couple decided to keep things very quiet and away from the public eye.
Before her romance with the architect blossomed, the EastEnders star dated Tony Truman, who she shares her daughter Kiki, 16, with.
In 2018, Charlie spoke candidly about her unconventional relationship with her ex and admitted that he lived in the flat above hers so they can co-parent their daughter together.
Speaking on the morning show Lorraine, the TV star explained: “Like anything you have ups and downs. He lives above me when he’s here, he lives in Ibiza seven months of the year.”
Charlie admitted that they are still very close and go on holiday with each other.
“We’ve been very lucky. We’re ultimately a family, we love each other very much. We go on holiday together,” she said.
“We’ve managed to overcome all of that, which I’m really proud of.”
Charlie’s daughter, Kiki
Charlie gave birth to her daughter Kiki Brooks-Truman on December 8, 2004 in Westminster, London, England.
The mother and daughter share a close bond and recently the blonde beauty shared a sweet video of her daughter on her Instagram – sharing her disbelief at how quickly her daughter has grown.
Charlie said: “Kiki. Super girl. Sometimes I get this video out because it makes me very happy. Sometimes it makes me cry.”
She added: “That little person is very nearly all grown up, and I miss my baby, but coming through the other side of teenage years, (thank f**k), and they can be tough, and interesting and terrifying and unpredictable, I have a young woman who brings me all the joy.”
Charlie’s daughter also has a passion for acting and already has two TV credits under her belt. The young actress has appeared in The Dumping Ground and The Kennedys.
Talking about her daughter, the Albert Square star previously said: “She shows all the signs of following in my footsteps! She wants to be on Broadway.”
Sex toys
(Image: Wenn)
Last year reports circulated that the EastEnders babe was about to take a very different career route by releasing her very own range of sex toys.
Sources claimed that Charlie was in talks with lingerie and sex toys retailer Ann Summers to release a premium range of sexual pleasing toys, with one of the products being named “The Butcher” after her character in Eastenders.
The new brand of sex gadgets is expected to hit shelves in 2021.
Talking to The Sun last year, a source explained: “Charlie feels there’s a real gap in the market for some sexy yet affordable toys.
“She’s signed a deal and is really excited to branch out into a whole new area.
“Each toy will have a different name, and one option mooted was The Butcher after her EastEnders character.”
The source also admitted that Charlie did feel quite dubious regarding the name “The Butcher” as it may not appeal to women who are hoping to achieve solo pleasure.
Dropped from I’m A Celeb
(Image: PA)
For those who can’t remember or simply didn’t know, Charlie won ITV’s reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! back in 2012.
Last year, Charlie, along with former winners Joe Swash, Vicky Pattison and Joey Essex, was invited back to take part in the 2020 series.
ITV bosses didn’t tell the ex-contestants what exactly they would do in Wales but told them to prepare for “all eventualities” and to pack appropriately.
Despite isolating for several weeks in preparation for the show, ITV reportedly decided not to include the ex-contestants and dropped them from the programme.
The Eastenders bad girl was then spotted leaving her temporary accommodation with her luggage.
After the incident took place, a disappointed-looking Charlie took to her Instagram stories to break her silence.
Looking fed up the star captioned the post: “I’d quite like to move away and live by a beach, eat seafood every day and have a new adventure.”
At the time a TV insider was confused as to why they were asked to leave.
“It was never clear exactly what role the four stars would play on the series, but it’s obvious they’d been chosen as they were among the most popular former contestants,” the source explained.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
