Linda Carter, a beloved character in EastEnders for over a decade, is currently embroiled in a murder plot that has had viewers on the edge of their seats since February 2013. As avid watchers will recall, Linda, played by Kellie Bright, murdered Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) on Christmas Day 2023 and has successfully pinned the crime on Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo).
However, Linda's journey in Walford has been far from smooth sailing since her arrival in 2013. The Carter family matriarch has battled alcohol addiction, survived a horrific sexual assault, had an affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood), and now carries the weight of being a murderer.
Off-screen, Kellie Bright, who brings Linda Carter to life on EastEnders, leads a peaceful existence with her husband and three children. The Brentwood-born actress, now 48, has also appeared in several popular TV shows, including an Only Fools and Horses spin-off.
Bright began her acting career at the tender age of 11 after training at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Central London, where she became friends with Spice Girls' Emma Bunton. Her early roles included parts in children's TV programmes T-Bag on CITV and Maid Marian and her Merry Men on BBC1.
From the age of 13, she starred in the sitcom The Upper Hand as Joanna. Bright has previously opened up about facing rejection for roles and struggling financially in her early career, reports the Daily Star.
Don't miss...
EastEnders icon quits Walford after more than 10 years on soap as exit confirmed [NEWS]
EastEnders fans spot favourite in Hollywood movie and quip ‘best thing ever' [LATEST]
The talented Kellie Bright candidly revealed her struggles with rejection early in her career to The Daily Record, admitting: "I was getting rejected from one job after another and no matter how much I tried not to take it personally, a part of me couldn't help but think 'I was too ugly to get that part'."
Post-The Upper Hand, the star faced tough times and had to resort to waitressing, sharing: "I had just spent all my money from The Upper Hand on my first flat. I didn't have any acting work, so I got a job waiting on tables to pay the mortgage, but it was while The Upper Hand was still on air."
To her surprise, this chapter brought unexpected attention: "Next thing I know, a customer had called a newspaper saying I was there and some photographers appeared out of the blue snapping away."
Beyond her illustrious stint on The Archers on Radio 4, Kellie has racked up impressive roles including Cassie Tyler in Bad Girls (2002), Julie in Ali G In Da House (2002), Lisa Squire in The House That Jack Built (2002), and WPC Penny Collins in Jericho (2005), amongst others.
She also starred in the highly acclaimed Only Fools and Horses prequel, Rock And Chips, in 2010, portraying Joan Trotter the mother to iconic Del Boy and Rodney delving into her story before the arrival of her youngest son.
Fast forward to 2013, Kellie became a beloved figure as Linda Carter in EastEnders, captivating audiences ever since.
On the personal front, Kellie enjoys a fulfilling family life; she wed Paul Stocker in a picturesque Cornish ceremony in 2014 and is a proud mother of three boys Freddie born in 2011, Gene born in 2016, and little Rudy who completed the family in 2021.
Paul is not just a reality TV star, but an actor who's shared the screen with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley in Atonement. His acting credits also include roles in The Mark of Cain and Scent of a Woman.
In 2016, he graced Albert Square playing DS Howard South on EastEnders and returned in 2021 to portray a menacing thug targeting The Queen Vic.
Kellie Bright, better known as Linda Carter on EastEnders, first met Paul when they were both cast in a play - she was 31; he was a fresh-faced 24.
Back then, Kellie had her doubts about their age difference. Recalling her initial hesitation, she told OK! Magazine: "Reality kicked in. I was 31 and wanted to have kids, and Paul was 24 and didn't at the time. I felt it wasn't fair on Paul I worried he'd resent me."
But the years have been kind to Paul and Kellie. It's 2024, and the couple are now joyously raising three children together.
EastEnders airs Monday - Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
