Elaine Peacock has only been in Albert Square for a matter of hours and she's already ruffled the feathers of some unsuspecting locals, including Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
With her bold personality and sarcasm, Elaine is wasting no time in revealing she's the new business partner and co-owner of The Vic after going into business with her daughter Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). This has left a bad taste in Sharon's mouth after thinking she was guaranteed to take over the pub, as were the Panesars.
Prior to Elaine's grand entrance, fans of the BBC One soap last saw Elaine five years ago but you'll notice that she looks rather different as a new actress has taken over the role.
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Who is Elaine Peacock?
Elaine first appeared in Walford back in 2014 after Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) summoned her to help Linda after she was behaving strangely. Linda eventually told of her terrible rape ordeal after her brother-in-law Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) sexually assaulted her.
She also supported the Carters through Mick and Linda's wedding and when little Ollie had a serious accident that potentially could have given him brain damage.
Then in 2016, Linda was left shocked after she received a telephone call forming her that Elaine, a widow, had a stroke, so she left the Square to care for her in Watford, where Elaine had her own pub.
It was during that time that Linda was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and stayed with Elaine, pretending her mum was still poorly, while she secretly underwent treatment. We haven’t seen Elaine on-screen since.
What happened to the original actress?
Between 2014 and 2017, Elaine Peacock was played by actress Maria Friedman, who starred in a total of 50 EastEnders episodes.
The 63-year-old is a celebrated actress and director of stage and screen, best known for her work in musical theatre.
However, she's also starred in some of television's most popular shows including Red Dwarf, Casualty, and most recently Unforgotten.
She's been appearing in stage productions since 1989, with roles in Chicago, Sweeney Todd, The Witches of Eastwick, The Woman in White, and many more.
In 1999, she played the narrator in Lloyd Webber's film Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Elaine Peacock 2023
Actress Harriet Thorpe has taken over the role of Elaine Peacock.
The 65-year-old from Hampstead has carved a successful showbiz career spanning more than 42 years and is famed for playing the dim-witted Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous, which also starred Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, from 1992 to 2012.
She also appeared in the cult TV sitcom The Brittas Empire as the overly emotional receptionist Carole, and she has appeared in shows such as Casualty, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Goodnight Sweetheart, The Bill, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, and Father Brown. She also played Brenda Mooney in the hit film Calender Girls in 2003, plus many more roles.
Harriet is also a star on the stage having played multiple roles in West End with her most recent stage appearance in Steel Magnolias alongside Call the Midwife's Laura Main.
Elaine’s now dating George Knight (Colin Salmon), described as ‘a tough-talking and fiercely protective doting dad who heads up the Knight family’.
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