‘I have an “I LOVE IAN BEALE” scrapbook!'

Emma Barton reveals what it’s like to be back at EastEnders after months off…

- HAYLEY MINN

It’s been a challenging time for everyone thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. But arguably one of the strangest things about it was EastEnders coming off air for the first time in 35 years!

Now, Emma Barton, who has played Honey Mitchell in the show for the past 15 years, on and off, has revealed what it’s like to be back on set. Emma, 43, also tells Woman’s Own how she’s spent her time off during lockdown focusing on her fitness, and why she’s going to be very nervous watching Strictly Come Dancing this year, after getting to the final with Anton du Beke last year…

Hi Emma! What’s it like being back on the EastEnders set?

It’s not weird, it’s just different. EastEnders have been brilliant – they’ve got all the correct measures in place and all the social distancing, and they’re not holding back on some exciting storylines for the audience.

Have you been watching EastEnders: Secrets from the Square?

Yes, they’ve been brilliant. It makes you feel old when you remember it the first time round! I was eight when EastEnders started, and I was a huge fan. I used to keep press cuttings in a scrapbook, which is weird. I’ve got a book that says, ‘I love Ian Beale, I love Wicksy!’