EastEnders star Linda Henry has played the role of Shirley Carter for more than a decade, however she actually appeared in Albert Square years before she began playing the iconic character.
The actress, 63, has become a well known Walford resident, having played the Carter matriarch since December 2006 and been involved in her fair share of storylines.
But 2006 wasn’t the first time fans laid eyes on the soap star as she enjoyed a brief stint on the BBC soap in 1991, taking on the role of Lorraine Salter for four episodes.
READ MORE: EastEnders fans swoon at Kheerat’s hair transformation in unrecognisable scene
The popular character, who is renowned for her blonde pixie haircut, looked worlds away from the role she has played for 16 years as she sported longer blonde tresses.
(Image: BBC)
Lorraine was the prostitute mother of Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) and was introduced when Pat Butcher helped her after a man started to harass her.
The following year, Lorraine contacted Pat from hospital after being severely beaten up by her boyfriend Gary, asking her to look after 15-year-old Mandy.
On Christmas Eve, Lorraine contacted Mandy and told her she was coming to visit, however never arrived.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
After 20 years of absence, Lorraine returned to Albert square as part of a Lucy Beale storyline, with Victoria Alcock now playing the role for five episodes before the character was killed off.
Linda isn’t the only EastEnders star to have played more than one role on the soap.
Diane Parish has been playing Denise Fox since 2005, but people often forget that she played Lola Christie for six months in 1998.
(Image: BBC)
Max Branning remains one of the most iconic characters in EastEnders, being at the centre of some of the most dramatic storylines including his affair with Stacey Slater.
But Jake Wood first in appeared Walford nearly two decades earlier in a brief stint.
In 1990, Jackson was introduced as a friend of Frank Butchers daughter, starring on the soap for two episodes.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
