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EastEnders icon ‘wasn’t concerned about stripping’ on TV after family health nightmare

EastEnders star Laurie Brett “wasn’t worried about stripping” on TV after her family health nightmare.

The actress has made a surprise comeback on the soap to appear as Jane Beale after some time away. It has been seven years since the TV star had played the part.

However, during her time away from the show, Laurie starred on ITV’s The Full Monty back in 2019, to help advocate for women’s cancer awareness in ITV’s The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night.

READ MORE: EastEnders legend returns 20 years after debut as Ian Beale’s huge secret revealed

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In an engrossing chat at the time, Laurie revealed that making the decision to appear on the show was a challenging one – but she wasn’t ever worried about taking her clothes off on camera.

Jane has made a surprise comeback
(Image: BBC)

Laurie told The Mirror: “My reservation wasn’t about stripping off. I’ve done a million shows where you’re changing side stage and the crew see you in various states of undress.”

She added concerns about her privacy stating: “My concern was that I’ve never done anything that’s just talking about me.” She summarised her usual stance on sharing personal aspects of her life simply as “I’m quite private.”

She starred on The Full Monty
(Image: ITV)

Deeply affected by the experiences of breast cancer affecting her best friend Diane and witnessing her mother Anne battling the disease twice, Laurie felt compelled to participate. Referring to her beloved EastEnders character Jane, wife of Ian Beale (portrayed by Adam Woodyatt), Laurie opined: “I don’t think Jane would get her baps out. Then again, she is a surprising lady, so you never know.”

Laurie’s mother and friend, Diane, encouraged her to proceed. She recounted how Diane had been brought to tears, urging her: “But I spoke to my mum and my friend Diane, and she cried and said, ‘You’ve got to do it, you’ve got to raise awareness’.”

She lost her mum a few years ago
(Image: @lauriebrettxx/instagram)

The actress lost her mum back in 2022, a few years after her ITV stint, she took to Instagram at the time to share the news with fans. She penned: “Today we said goodbye to the most amazing woman. My mum was a tour de force, a special shining dancing light in this world. My mum , my best friend , my superhero power.. I’m heartbroken, but so grateful to have been her daughter. Without her help and advice and love , I would have been a poorer version of me. RIP Tiny Turner. Journey well.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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