Being Chantelle

Star Jessica Plummer on her catch-up with Stacey Dooley this week, and playing abused wife Chantelle Atkins

- Alison Slade

This week in Ian Beale’s restaurant, Walford East, there’s a double helping of EastEnders: Secrets from the Square.

On Monday, Stacey Dooley catches up with actors Linda Henry and Luisa Bradshaw-White – better known as Shirley and Tina Carter – to discuss their standout storylines and favourite memories.

And on Tuesday, it’s three for the price of two. Lorraine Stanley (Karen Taylor) returns, a fortnight after she appeared with Zack Morris and Maisie Smith (Keegan and Tiffany); only this time she’s with her screen daughter and son-in-law Jessica Plummer and Toby-Alexander Smith, better known as ‘perfect couple’ Chantelle and Gray Atkins.

We caught up with Jessica, 27, to talk about being back on set, her role as an abused wife, and what’s in store for Chantelle when the soap finally returns to our screens next month...

What was it like coming back to the set after so much time away?

It was surreal; it was the first time I’d seen my co-workers and fellow cast members in so long. It was so nice to see everyone. And meeting Stacey Dooley was a highlight. I’ve had a bit of a girl crush on her!

Stacey runs through some of your old clips. What was it like to watch them all back?