EastEnders star Maddy Hill joined the cast of the BBC One soap as Nancy Carter back in 2014.
Over the past eight years, the character has been part of some gripping storylines.
Nancy is the daughter of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
Speaking about joining EastEnders at the time, the 32-year-old actress said: “I feel incredibly privileged to have been given such an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to start work with such a talented cohort of actors.”
In recent months, Nancy has been growing closer to hunky Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
She offers her beau a proposition during Thursday (April 7) episode but will he accept?
As Nancy’s new romance continues to blossom in Eastenders, Daily Star has taken a look into actress Maddy’s life away from Albert Square.
Early days
(Image: BBC/KieronMcCarron)
Before becoming a soap star, Maddy trained at Rose Bruford College drama school.
Her first credited acting role was a two episode guest appearance in ITV drama Whitechapel during the third series.
Ahead of her gig on EastEnders, Maddy appeared as a checkout girl in the 2013 film uwantme2killhim?.
She has also had roles in the stage productions of As You Like it as Phoebe and The Meeting Place as George.
In October 2013, it was announced that Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright had been cast as Mick and Linda Carter and that they would be taking over The Queen Victoria pub.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
A few days later it was revealed Maddy had bagged the role as Mick and Linda’s daughter Nancy.
In 2015, Maddy won the Best Newcomer Award at the TV Choice Awards, the Inside Soap Awards and the British Soap Awards.
The following year she won Best Newcomer at the National TV Awards.
In 2016, Nancy left Walford for a new life in New Zealand with her husband Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel).
Reality TV stint
(Image: BBC/Love Productions)
Following her departure from Eastenders, Maddy dabbled in reality TV with an appearance on Masterchef in 2014.
In 2016, she took part in The Great British Bake-Off to raise money for Sport Relief.
Opening up about being approached for the baking show, Maddy said at the time: “”I thought it would be such a hilarious calamity that I had to do it.
“And best of all it’s for charity, helping raise money for people living tough lives in the UK and around the world.”
Rival soap role
(Image: BBC)
Maddy starred as paramedic Ruby Sparks in Casualty after leaving Eastenders.
For the role, the actress qualified as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver.
Ruby was introduced as part of the show’s increased focus on paramedics and producers wanted to explore the profession through the character.
She started caring for her newborn niece Harmony following the death of her sister Violette.
The storyline lead to the character’s departure from the serial and she exited the BBC soap in 2020.
Sweet gestures
(Image: WireImage)
Maddy is active on social media and dedicates a lot of her feed to good causes and her own random acts of kindness, such as giving away Bruno Mars tickets to her followers.
She also performed on stage as Imogen in an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at The Globe.
During the first lockdown, she took part in a fundraiser to raise money for theatre following its closure due to the pandemic.
Maddy recorded a verse from Cymbeline to contribute to the good cause.
Epic return
(Image: BBC)
Maddy returned to EastEnders as Nancy in April 2021, five years after her departure.
Speaking about her 2021 return to Eastenders, the TV personality has said she couldn’t wait to film with her old castmates.
“I’m so excited to be coming back and reconnecting with all the hilarious, warm, talented cast and crew and meeting some lovely new faces,” she said.
“I absolutely loved playing Nancy and have often wondered what she’s up to, so feel very grateful to be able to rediscover her five years on.”
Since arriving back in Walford, Nancy has had to deal with her mother and father’s divorce as well as her health battle with epilepsy.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
