EastEnders legend Angela Wynter is gearing up for her return to Albert Square.
The actress, 66, best known for playing Yolande Trueman, made her first appearance on the BBC soap two decades ago.
The bubbly B&B owner and former wife of Minute Mart owner Patrick Trueman was a fan-favourite with viewers until her sudden exit in 2008.
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But 15 years later, Angela is heading back on the show to reprise her role as Yolande – and apparently there’s unfinished business between her character and ex-Patrick (Rudolph Walker).
As fans are treated to Yolande’s suprise return this week, which is said to be permanent, Daily Star has looked inside the star Angela’s life.
Shock EastEnders exit
Angela first arrived in EastEnders in 2003 after striking up a relationship with Patrick – eventually marrying him.
Despite being a fan-favourite, she was axed from the soap in 2008 when her character moved to Birmingham, leaving Patrick behind and eventually divorcing him.
Talking about her shock exit back, at the time Angela hit out at the “weak” storylines that inevitably ended with her character’s departure.
She said: “I’m not unhappy to leave as life is about changes, but I’m unhappy about the reasons as you can always write stories for people to act.
“As I told my boss, I am pleased with the work I did playing Yolande because I made her as believable as possible.”
As Female First reports, Angela went on: “If it has to end, let it be on a good note rather than the character becoming weak due to the producers.”
Amanda Holden link
Angela’s stint on EastEnders in the noughties was not her first time being on telly screens.
Prior to her soap role, she starred in the likes of What You Looking At?, As If and The Bill.
And Angela even appeared in the cult classic and short-lived series, Cutting It – which also starred telly veteran Amanda Holden.
The show ran for four seasons between 2002 and 2005 and followed the lives of a team running a hairdressing salon in Manchester.
Cutting It included a number of actors who went on to become established stars, including Amanda and Angela – who played the role of Estelle for one episode in 2002.
Rival soap stint
Following her exit from EastEnders, it’s fair to say Angela kept herself busy with a slew of TV and film roles.
From Call The Midwife and Death In Paradise, to even starring in the smash hit Christmas movie Last Christmas, which was written by Emma Thompson, who also starred in it.
In 2022 though, she bagged a role on another iconic soap: Birmingham-based Doctors.
For three months, the actress played the role of Caribbean cafe owner Makeda Sylvester – the mum of major character Bear Sylvester (Dex Lee).
What’s more, at the 2022 British Soap Awards, the soap was nominated for Best Storyline for Makeda’s experiences with racism at a hospital.
Secret tribute to late sister on soap
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According to Angela, the character of EastEnders’ Yolande was actually based on her real-life sister Merlene, who passed away.
In a touching tribute to her late sibling, Angela revealed that Yolande’s character outline was inspired by Merlene. “Yolande is based on my own late sister,” Angela explained.
“She’s bubbly and positive, and she won Patrick over with her charm and her toughness. She’s vulnerable, but she’s principled.
“I wanted to honour my sister in some way,” Angela revealed in a recent interview.
“Yolande’s vulnerability and principled nature were inspired by Merlene’s own qualities.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
