Lucy Benjamin
{{short description|British actress (b. 1970)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Redirect|Lucy Taggart|the American painter|Lucy M. Taggart}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Lucy Benjamin at the BAFTA's.jpg
| caption = Lucy Benjamin at the 2009 British Academy Television Awards
| name = Lucy Benjamin
| birth_name = Lucy Jane Baker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|6|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Reading, Berkshire, England
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1983–present
| children = 2
| notable_works = EastEnders
| other_names = Lucy Taggart
| spouse = {{Marriage|Richard Taggart|2006|2024|end=separated}}
}}
Lucy Benjamin (born Lucy Jane Baker; 25 June 1970) is an English actress. After appearing in various television series including Close to Home (1989–1990), Press Gang (1989–1993) and Jupiter Moon (1990, 1996), she was cast in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Lisa Fowler in 1998, for which she received a nomination for Most Popular Actress at the 2001 National Television Awards.
Following her initial departure from the soap in 2003, she competed in The X Factor: Battle of the Stars (2006) which she won, as well as competing in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2009). She made guest returns to EastEnders in 2010 and 2017, while also appearing in series such as Casualty and Doctors. From 2019 to 2020, she reprised her role as Lisa on EastEnders for four months, before returning for another short stint in 2023.
Early life
Benjamin was born on 25 June 1970 in Reading, Berkshire as Lucy Jane Baker.{{cite news |title=I'm A Celebrity: 10 things you need to know about Lucy Benjamin |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/im-a-celebrity-10-things-you-430429 |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Daily Mirror |publisher=Reach plc |date=28 January 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080234/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/im-a-celebrity-10-things-you-430429 |url-status=live }} While attending school in Sandhurst, she performed in school concerts; her parents were informed by one of her primary school teachers that she had drama talent and advised them to let her attend a nearby theatre school. She began attending Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead, and began dance lessons at the age of nine. She took the stage surname of Benjamin from her brother.
Career
Benjamin's first acting role was as a child actress in Doctor Who in 1983, playing a younger version of the character Nyssa in Mawdryn Undead. In 1989, she starred in the children's television programme Press Gang, where she played Julie Craig.{{cite news |last1=Eames |first1=Tom |title=Press Gang: What happened to the journalist kids in Steven Moffat's debut show? |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a806944/press-gang-where-are-they-now-itv-what-happened-to-the-journalist-kids-in-steven-moffat-debut-show/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=5 September 2016 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622034329/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a806944/press-gang-where-are-they-now-itv-what-happened-to-the-journalist-kids-in-steven-moffat-debut-show/ |url-status=live }} From 1989 to 1990, Benjamin appeared in two series of LWT sitcom Close to Home, playing Paul Nicholas' teenage daughter Kate Shepherd.{{cite news |title=Close To Home |url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/close-to-home |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=British Classic Comedy |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129170708/https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/close-to-home |url-status=live }} Also in 1990, Benjamin appeared in the British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) Galaxy Channel soap opera Jupiter Moon. In 1995, she appeared in the Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall comedy Bottom.{{cite web |title=Lucy Benjamin |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/lucy_benjamin/ |publisher=British Comedy Guide |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080236/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/lucy_benjamin/ |url-status=live }}
From 1998 to 2003, she played Lisa Fowler in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. During her time on the programme, Benjamin was involved in one of the soap's most viewed storylines, known as "Who Shot Phil?" (2001). The storyline centered on the shooting of her on-screen lover Phil Mitchell, and who, out of the many potential candidates, was responsible. Her character was eventually revealed to be the shooter. She was asked back for a short period in 2003, to help with the forthcoming exit of Steve McFadden, who was taking a hiatus from the programme. After leaving EastEnders, Benjamin appeared in the BBC television programme The Afternoon Play and the BBC medical drama Casualty. She has also appeared in pantomimes across London, as well as touring for six months in the play Framed.{{cite news |title=Framed! |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/07/14/theatre_framed_preview_july05_feature.shtml |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=BBC News |archive-date=3 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003213700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/07/14/theatre_framed_preview_july05_feature.shtml |url-status=live }} In April 2006, the Daily Mirror reported that Benjamin was in talks with EastEnders about reprising the role of Lisa Fowler. Benjamin stated in an interview that all rumours of her returning to EastEnders were inaccurate.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a31197/lucy-benjamin-not-returning-to-walford/|access-date=4 September 2020|work=Digital Spy|title=Lucy Benjamin NOT returning to Walford|first=Kris|last=Green|date=3 April 2006|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080246/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a31197/lucy-benjamin-not-returning-to-walford/|url-status=live}}
In June 2006, Benjamin appeared on The X Factor: Battle of the Stars, which she won. She was mentored by judge Louis Walsh.{{cite news |title=Lucy 'shocked' by X Factor win |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/lucy-shocked-by-x-factor-win-7241135.html |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Evening Standard |date=5 June 2006 |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001093438/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/lucy-shocked-by-x-factor-win-7241135.html |url-status=live }} She also appeared as Heather in Stephen Fry's drama Kingdom.{{cite news |title=Interview with EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/interview-with-eastenders-star-lucy-benjamin-7090244 |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Great British Life |date=16 September 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080257/https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/interview-with-eastenders-star-lucy-benjamin-7090244 |url-status=live }} In October 2006, Benjamin appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors.{{cite web |title=No Smoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007chr2 |publisher=BBC |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080301/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007chr2 |url-status=live }} In September 2008, she appeared in All Star Family Fortunes, winning £10,000 for her charity Rosie's Rainbow Fund. Benjamin then starred in The Pretender Agenda at the New Players Theatre with Lee Ryan, as well as starring in the horror film Not Alone.{{cite web |last=Slasher |first=Masked |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33825/not-alone-wraps-production |title=Not Alone Wraps Production |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=1 October 2009 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329062905/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33825/not-alone-wraps-production |url-status=live }} In 2009, she was a contestant in the ITV1 series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! In August 2010, Benjamin returned to EastEnders for one episode in a storyline that was building up to the exit of Barbara Windsor.{{cite news |title=Lucy Benjamin to make one-off 'Enders return |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a214993/lucy-benjamin-to-make-one-off-enders-return/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223052616/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a214993/lucy-benjamin-to-make-one-off-enders-return/ |url-status=live }}
In 2013, Benjamin starred as Velma Von Tussle in the UK tour of the West End stage show Hairspray.{{cite news|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/theatre-news/lucy-benjamin-stars-hairspray-birmingham-3405857|title=Former EastEnder Lucy Benjamin stars in Hairspray|access-date=4 September 2020|first=Roz|work=Coventry Telegraph|last=Laws|date=3 May 2013|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080250/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/theatre-news/lucy-benjamin-stars-hairspray-birmingham-3405857|url-status=live}} Between April and July 2017, Benjamin had a recurring role as Denise Ellisson in Casualty.{{cite news |title=REVEALED: A Casualty fave is stabbed to death! |url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/casualty/casualty-pictures/revealed-casualty-fave-stabbed-death-466934/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=What's on TV |publisher=Future plc |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121010928/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/casualty/casualty-pictures/revealed-casualty-fave-stabbed-death-466934/ |url-status=live }} Benjamin reprised her role as Lisa for a short stint in July 2017, part of on-screen daughter Louise Mitchell's (Tilly Keeper) bullying storyline.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a833704/eastenders-lisa-fowler-return-lucy-benjamin-cast-changes/|title=EastEnders brings back Lisa Fowler in the aftermath of Louise Mitchell's horror incident|access-date=4 September 2020|date=21 July 2017|work=Digital Spy|first=Sophie|last=Dainty|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815021654/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a833704/eastenders-lisa-fowler-return-lucy-benjamin-cast-changes/|url-status=live}}
In 2014 Benjamin appeared in the role of Maggie in the comedy series Detectorists.Radio Times for January 2023 when the series was rebroadcast
On 27 May 2019, it was announced that Benjamin would be returning to EastEnders on a permanent basis.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/lucy-benjamin-excited-prepares-eastenders-16206078 |title=Lucy Benjamin 'excited' as she prepares for EastEnders return as Lisa Fowler |last=Methven |first=Nicola |date=26 May 2019 |work=Daily Mirror |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526213447/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/lucy-benjamin-excited-prepares-eastenders-16206078 |url-status=live }} She returned on 2 September 2019, and departed in January 2020 alongside Keeper.{{cite news |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=EastEnders' Tilly Keeper shares cheeky tribute to her character Louise Mitchell after exit scenes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a30657642/eastenders-tilly-keeper-tribute-louise-mitchell-exit-scenes/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927072645/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a30657642/eastenders-tilly-keeper-tribute-louise-mitchell-exit-scenes/ |url-status=live }} In May 2021, she starred in another episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors as Jan Fisher.{{cite news |last1=Timblick |first1=Simon |title=Doctors spoilers: Ex-EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin in guest role |url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-ex-eastenders-star-lucy-benjamin-guest-role/ |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=What's on TV |publisher=Future plc |date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518080251/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-ex-eastenders-star-lucy-benjamin-guest-role/ |url-status=live }} For her appearance in Doctors, she won the award for Acting Performance at the RTS Midlands Awards.{{Cite news|url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-midlands-awards-2021|title=RTS Midlands 2021|work=Royal Television Society|access-date=7 December 2021|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204193818/https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-midlands-awards-2021|url-status=live}} The win marked her first award in her career.{{cite news |last1=Duff |first1=Seamus |title=Lucy Benjamin stuns fans as she ditches her bottle blonde locks for natural grey |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lucy-benjamin-stuns-fans-ditches-26423200.amp |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=Daily Mirror |publisher=(Reach plc) |date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328223421/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lucy-benjamin-stuns-fans-ditches-26423200.amp |url-status=live }} In 2022, she reprised her role of Jan in Doctors.{{cite tweet|number=1537423853340663809|title=Dido Miles and @Lucy_Benjamin, the stars of our award-winning episode 'Three Consultations and a Funeral', wanted to share some exciting news! #BBCDoctors|date=16 June 2022|user=BBCDoctors|author=Doctors|authorlink=Doctors (2000 TV series)}}
Personal life
Benjamin married Richard Taggart, an oil businessman, at Babington House, Somerset on 30 March 2006.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/03/31/east-ender-lucyweds-89520-16886115/ |title=East Ender Lucyweds |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=31 March 2006 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-date=22 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222235344/http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/03/31/east-ender-lucyweds-89520-16886115/ |url-status=live }} The couple met during a flight to Dubai and became engaged three months later. Benjamin and Taggart now live in Gidea Park, Greater London.[https://archive.today/20120803050816/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/182802004.htm X Factor: Lucy Benjamin]
In the first episode of The X Factor: Battle of the Stars on 31 May 2006, Sharon Osbourne accidentally revealed that Benjamin was pregnant. Benjamin smiled while host Kate Thornton commented: "I don't think you wanted that announced tonight, did you?"{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33578.html |title=Showbiz – News – Ex-'Enders actress Lucy Benjamin pregnant |publisher=Digital Spy |date=30 May 2006 |access-date=16 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207215550/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33578.html |archive-date=7 December 2006 }} Benjamin gave birth by caesarean section to a daughter at Harold Wood Hospital in London on 22 November 2006.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/11/23/a-special-delivery-for-lucy-89520-18143067/ |title=A Special Delivery For Lucy |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=23 November 2006 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-date=22 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222235349/http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/11/23/a-special-delivery-for-lucy-89520-18143067/ |url-status=live }} On 19 October 2010, she revealed that she was three months pregnant with her second child.{{cite web |url=http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/gallery/gallery-specials/27918/2/3/new-pictures-pregnant-celebrities/1/ |title=NEW PICTURES Pregnant Celebrities | Gallery Specials |publisher=Now Magazine |date=22 June 2010 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-date=18 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418225649/http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/gallery/gallery-specials/27918/2/3/new-pictures-pregnant-celebrities/1 |url-status=live }} In April 2011, she gave birth to a second daughter.{{cite news |title=HELLO! Exclusive: Lucy Benjamin proudly presents baby Rosie to the world |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201107185784/lucy-benjamin-hello-exclusive/ |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Hello |date=18 July 2011 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129140457/https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201107185784/lucy-benjamin-hello-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}
In May 2015, she claimed £326,000 for infringement of her privacy rights, although substantial she was awarded less than half that sum, £157,250{{Citation |title=Gulati & Ors v MGN Ltd (un-redacted) [2015] EWHC 1482 (Ch) |date=21 May 2015 |url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2015/1482.html#Taggart |access-date=2023-12-17 |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510010533/http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2015/1482.html#Taggart |url-status=live }} by Mr Justice Mann as part of an overall £1.2 million celebrity payout relating to the phone hacking scandal carried out by Mirror Group newspapers (Trinity Mirror), under her married name, Lucy Taggart.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32825751|title=Phone hacking: Celebrities win damages from Mirror Group|date=21 May 2015|work=BBC|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103628/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32825751|url-status=live}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1982
| Young Claudia | 2 episodes |
| 1983
| Nyssa | Uncredited |
| 1983
| Spooky | Amy | Episode: "The Exorcism of Amy" |
| 1985
| Up the Elephant and Round the Castle | Kate | Episode: "And They Came Unto Jim" |
| 1985
| Gemma Tindle | Episode: "Picture of Harmony" |
| 1987
| The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole | Sharon Botts | Episode #1.2 |
| 1988
| Nancy | Television film |
| 1989–1990
| Kate Shepherd | Main role |
| 1989–1993
| Julie Craig | Main role |
| 1990, 1996
| Fiona McBride | Recurring role |
| 1992
| The Bill | Michele Prout | Episode: "Private Enterprise" |
| 1994
| Katherine | Episode: "A Severe Case of Death" |
| 1994
| Berryl Chapman | Episode #1.1 |
| 1995
| Bottom | Nurse | Episode: "Dough" |
| 1996
| The Bill | Ingrid | Episode: "Bits and Pieces" |
| 1997
| Zoe Marson | Episode #2.5 |
| 1997
| Audrey Bremner | Episode: "And Lips That We Might Tell" |
| 1998–2003, 2010, 2017, 2019–2020, 2023
| Regular role |
| 2003
| Amanda | Episode: "The Real Arnie Griffin" |
| 2004
| Casualty | Gina Taylor | 2 episodes |
| 2006
| The X Factor: Battle of the Stars | Herself | Contestant |
| 2006
| Doctors | Tracey Morrel | Episode: "No Smoke" |
| 2008
| Kingdom | Heather | Episode #2.3 |
| 2009
| Missing | Sandra Taylor | Episode #1.1 |
| 2009
| I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | Herself | Contestant |
| 2012
| Lois Earnshaw | Episode: "To Absent Friends" |
| 2014, 2017
| Maggie | Recurring role |
| 2015
| Lesley Carmichael | Episode: "The Fame Game" |
| 2015, 2017
| Casualty | Recurring role |
| 2015
| Doctors | Gina Stewart | Episode: "You Can Run" |
| 2017, 2019
| Ms. Bloomfield | 2 episodes |
| 2018
| Eleven | Cass | Film |
| 2021–2022
| Doctors | Guest role |
| TBA
| Game of Two Halves | Lynn | Film |
| TBA
| Curfew | Sue Ferguson |
| 2025
| EastEnders: 40 Years on the Square | Herself | Interviewed Guest |
Stage
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue |
| 1992-1993
| Princess |
| 1993-1994
| Jack |
| 1994-1995
| Alice Fitzwarren | Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe |
| 2002-2003
| Faith Godmother |
| 2004-2005
| Aladdin | The Princess | Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage |
| 2005
| Framed! | Judy |
| 2005-2006
| Cinderella | Fairy Godmother | The Deco Theatre, Northampton |
| 2007-2008
| Dick Whittington | Fairy Bowbells | Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon |
| 2008
| The Pretender Agenda | Various |
| 2011-2012
| Mrs. Darling |
| 2012-2013 |
| 2013
| Velma Von Tussle | UK Tour |
| 2015
| The Deadly Murder | Camille Dargus |
| 2019
| Joyce |
| 2019-2020
| Cinderella | Fairy Godmother | Central Theatre, Chatham |
| 2021-2022
| Cinderella | Fairy Godmother | Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth |
| 2022
| Henry VI: Rebellion |
| 2023
| Cinderella | Wicked Stepmother | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford |
| 2024
| Robin Hood | Karen, the Sheriff of Nottingham | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| 2001
| Most Popular Actress | EastEnders | {{nom}} |
| 2021
| Acting Performance | Doctors | {{won}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0071329}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benjamin, Lucy}}
Category:20th-century English actresses
Category:21st-century English actresses
Category:English child actresses
Category:English film actresses
Category:English soap opera actresses
Category:English television actresses
Category:Actors educated at Redroofs Theatre School