Here's everything you need to know about EastEnders star Kellie Bright, including her Ali G connection and how she almost gave birth in a car!
Kellie Bright has been bringing class and elegance - not to mention all things pink and fluffy - to the Queen Vic pub since 2013 as EastEnders' Linda Carter.
But recently she's been the subject of a dramatic alcoholism storyline that saw Linda's life fall apart. Thankfully the character is getting her life back on track, and the storyline has won Kellie huge praise.
But how much do you know about Kellie - who features in EastEnders: Secrets From the Square - herself?
Most fans of the actress will know that:
- She's been in EastEnders before, playing a bridesmaid back in 1986.
- Kellie has also been in The Bill.
- She was a Strictly Come Dancing runner up in 2015.
But what else do we know about Kellie? Here are several things you probably don't know...
Kellie Bright: little known facts about the EastEnders actress...
1. EastEnders favourite Kellie Bright was famous very young
Kellie, 43, was a TV star from a very young age, appearing in the hugely popular comedy The Upper Hand (1990-96) with the likes of former Bond girl Honor Blackman. She also appeared in children's TV favourite, T Bag and the Pearls of Wisdom.
Much later, but also way before she joined EastEnders, Kellie was known to Ali G fans for playing the coveted role of Me Julie in 2002 smash hit movie Ali G Indahouse. In fact, the role was so sought after that Kellie even beat former EastEnders co-star Tamzin Outhwaite to the job!
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2. Kellie Bright's husband has been in EastEnders
Kellie’s other half, Paul Stocker, who is also an actor, appeared in EastEnders back in 2016 as the police officer interviewing Bobby Beale after he confessed to killing sister Lucy. Proud wife Kellie make sure her Twitter followers knew to look out for him by tweeting: “For all u @bbceastenders fans, keep a special eye out 4 my hubby in tonight's ep! I give you DS Howard South. Sadly Linda & Howard never meet!”
3. She’s a mum of two
Kellie and Paul have two sons, Freddy and Gene. When talking about her youngest son’s name, Kellie confessed to OK! Magazine: “My nan and I watched a lot of Gene Kelly when I was growing up and just adored him, so that’s where the name comes from.”
4. Kellie Bright was in the Archers for almost a decade
Before she landed her role as the matriarch of the Carter clan, actress Kellie Bright was best known for her role as earth mother Kate Aldridge in Radio 4's rural drama The Archers. The show is promoted as the world's longest-running radio soap and Kellie was at the helm between 1995 and 2004.
More: Things you didn't know about EastEnders star Jake Wood
5. She’s acted with one of her EastEnders co-stars before
You might think that Walford’s Linda and Shirley Carter were introduced by Mick Carter, but the pair have actually met before… sort of! Kellie appeared in Bad Girls alongside future EastEnders mother-in-law Linda Henry back in 2002. She’s also had roles in Holby City, Casualty, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness and The Catherine Tate show to name but a few.
6. She’s a voiceover star
As well as appearing in front of the camera, Kellie is also something of a star in the world of gaming. She has voiced characters for video games such as Fable III, in which she is the voice of The Hero of Blackwall, as well as Dragon Age II and Nintendo’s Xenoblade Chronicles. Who knew!
7. She nearly gave birth in her car!
Kellie’s second labour happened so fast that she nearly found herself giving birth while stuck in traffic! She told OK! Magazine: “I was so uncomfortable in the car and the contractions were coming quite quickly by that point. But of course it was school run time so we got stuck in traffic. When we arrived at the hospital, a midwife could see I was in established labour and took me straight to a delivery room. About 20 minutes after our arrival at 9am, my waters broke!”
Kellie Bright's Fact File
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the actress....
How old is she?
Kellie Bright's age is 43. Her date of birth is 1st July 1976.
Is she in a relationship?
Kellie Bright married husband Paul Stoker in 2014.
Does she have kids?
Kellie Bright and husband Paul have two young sons, Freddy and Gene.
Where was she born?
Kellie Bright was born in Brentwood, Essex.
How tall is she?
Kellie Bright's height is 1.55 metres tall.
Twitter: @kelliebright76
Instagram: @kelliebrightofficial
EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.
Main pic: Mike Marsland/WireImage
