Clair Norris
{{Short description|English actress (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name = Clair Hayley Norris
| image = Clair Norris 2023.jpg
| caption = Norris in 2023
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|12|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = London, United Kingdom
| occupation = Actress
| television = EastEnders
| years_active = 2017–present
}}
Clair Hayley Norris (born 30 December 1997) is a British actress from London, known for portraying the role of Bernadette Taylor on the BBC soap opera EastEnders between 2017 and 2025. While on the series, she has also made appearances in series including Bloods and Tell Me Everything, as well as fronting a Panorama documentary about obesity.
Life and career
Clair Hayley Norris was born on 30 December 1997 in Greenwich, London, and went on to attend Miskin Theatre at North Kent College.{{cite web |title=North Kent College student Clair Norris joins EastEnders cast as Bernadette Taylor |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/kent-drama-student-lands-role-126275/ |work=Kent Online |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=29 May 2019 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228020033/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/amp/kent-drama-student-lands-role-126275/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=This Dartford student has landed an east end role |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/leisure/entertainment/15317395.this-dartford-student-has-landed-an-east-end-role/ |work=News Shopper |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=30 May 2017}} In 2017, Norris was cast in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Bernadette Taylor, the daughter in the newly introduced Taylor family.{{cite web |title=EastEnders: Meet the Taylors, the new 'not-to-be-messed-with' family |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39894767 |work=BBC News |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=12 May 2017 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410182324/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39894767 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-02/eastenders-the-taylor-family-moves-in---see-the-first-look-pictures |title=EastEnders: the Taylor family moves in – see the first-look pictures |work=Radio Times |last=Brown |first=David |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808211628/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-02/eastenders-the-taylor-family-moves-in---see-the-first-look-pictures |url-status=live }} Her character's storylines on the show have included a teenage pregnancy which resulted in a miscarriage, before coming out as a lesbian, being a surrogate and getting a job at the café.{{cite web |title=EastEnders plans miscarriage storyline as Bernadette Taylor loses her baby |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a836641/eastenders-spoilers-bernadette-taylor-miscarriage-story/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808045918/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a836641/eastenders-spoilers-bernadette-taylor-miscarriage-story/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EastEnders' Bernadette Taylor comes out to mum Karen Taylor in moving New Year's Eve episode |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a25715327/eastenders-bernadette-taylor-comes-out-new-years-eve-episode/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=31 December 2018 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117095544/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a25715327/eastenders-bernadette-taylor-comes-out-new-years-eve-episode/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bernie Taylor returns to EastEnders with heartbreaking decision to make |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-bernie-taylor-return-newsupdate/ |website=Radio Times |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704050327/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-bernie-taylor-return-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EastEnders confirms new direction for Bernie Taylor |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a42546134/eastenders-bernie-taylor-bbc/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=18 January 2023 |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118220050/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a42546134/eastenders-bernie-taylor-bbc/ |url-status=live }} Norris took a five month break from the show in October 2021 and returned in March 2022.{{cite web |title=EastEnders star Clair Norris to 'take break' from Bernadette Taylor role |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a37810731/eastenders-spoilers-clair-norris-hiatus-bernadette-taylor/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408175624/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a37810731/eastenders-spoilers-clair-norris-hiatus-bernadette-taylor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EastEnders confirms Bernie Taylor return date as Clair Norris reprises role |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39462316/eastenders-spoilers-bernie-taylor-return-date-clair-norris/ |website=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415164949/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39462316/eastenders-spoilers-bernie-taylor-return-date-clair-norris/ |url-status=live }} She has been in a relationship with Lewis Wood since 2018.{{cite web |title=EastEnders star Clair Norris posts loved-up tribute to boyfriend as they share holiday snaps |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36952289/eastenders-clair-norris-boyfriend-instagram-tribute/ |website=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=7 July 2021 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712053911/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36952289/eastenders-clair-norris-boyfriend-instagram-tribute/ |url-status=live }}
In December 2021, Norris appeared as a contestant on The Weakest Link.{{cite web |title=The Weakest Link, Series 1, Episode 5 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012wj7 |work=BBC |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=30 December 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204171430/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012wj7 |url-status=live }} She was voted off after incorrectly answering a question about the name of Cheryl's son.{{cite web |title=The Weakest Link: Clair Norris has Romesh Ranganathan in hysterics after claiming Cheryl 'named baby after a pig' |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/30/weakest-link-clair-norris-has-romesh-in-hysterics-with-baby-name-blunder-15842666/ |website=Metro |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=30 December 2021 |archive-date=30 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230211526/https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/30/weakest-link-clair-norris-has-romesh-in-hysterics-with-baby-name-blunder-15842666/ |url-status=live }} In March 2022, Norris appeared in an episode of the Sky Comedy series Bloods as a drunk girl.{{cite web |title=Bloods - Series 2, Episode 5 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/bloods/episodes/2/5/ |work=British Comedy Guide |accessdate=14 June 2023 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903063002/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/bloods/episodes/2/5/ |url-status=live }} In April 2022, Norris starred in a BBC documentary for Panorama titled Obesity: Who Cares if I'm Bigger?.{{cite web |title=Panorama, Obesity: Who Cares if I'm Bigger? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015082 |work=BBC |date=20 April 2022 |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206152059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015082 |url-status=live }} The documentary followed Norris, who is overweight herself, meeting various people on a weight management scheme, a 'man-versus-fat' football team, and a dancer who runs classes for plus-size women, ultimately discussing whether the prime minister's strategy to help the nation lose weight was working.{{cite web |title=EastEnders' Clair Norris to star in BBC documentary on obesity |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39607248/eastenders-clair-norris-bbc-documentary-obesity/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=1 April 2022 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218213036/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39607248/eastenders-clair-norris-bbc-documentary-obesity/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EastEnders' Clair Norris fronts BBC Panorama documentary on obesity |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/eastenders-clair-norris-bbc-panorama-newsupdate/ |work=Radio Times |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=1 April 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407030436/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/eastenders-clair-norris-bbc-panorama-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }} It was praised by viewers for the stories that featured, whilst Norris was accredited for her "warmth and sensitivity" and commended for her "skillful handling of a complex disease".{{cite web |title=EastEnders star Clair Norris' documentary earns praise for powerful stories |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39781127/eastenders-clair-norris-obesity-documentary-praise/ |website=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=21 April 2022 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515000926/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39781127/eastenders-clair-norris-obesity-documentary-praise/ |url-status=live }} In December 2022, Norris appeared in an episode of the ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything as Kerry.{{cite web |title=EastEnders star Clair Norris reassures fans over Bernie after announcing new project |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a42205571/eastenders-clair-norris-reassures-bernie/ |work=Digital Spy |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=10 December 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221012345/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a42205571/eastenders-clair-norris-reassures-bernie/ |url-status=live }} In May 2025, it was announced that Norris had been axed from EastEnders after eight years and that Bernadette would leave later that year.{{cite web |title=EastEnders: Clair Norris reveals new role in ITVX series |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/eastenders-clair-norris-reveals-new-project-appears-new-tv-series/ |work=Entertainment Daily |accessdate=14 June 2023 |date=9 December 2022}}
Filmography
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|9043327}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Clair}}
Category:21st-century English actresses
Category:British soap opera actresses
Category:British television actresses
Category:Actresses from London