Patsy Palmer
{{Short description|English actress and DJ (born 1972)}}
{{For|the American actress who occasionally used this name|Margaret Gibson (actress)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Patsy Palmer.jpg
| caption = Palmer in 2009
| birth_name = Julie Anne Harris
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|5|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bethnal Green, London, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|DJ|businesswoman}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Nick Love|1998|2000|end=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Richard Merkell|2000}}
}}
| television = Grange Hill
EastEnders
Strictly Come Dancing
The Masked Singer
Dancing on Ice
Celebrity Big Brother
| children = 4, including Charley
| relatives = Lindsey Coulson (sister-in-law)
| website =
| yearsactive = 1984–present
}}
Julie Anne Merkell (née Harris; born 26 May 1972), known professionally as Patsy Palmer, is a British actress and DJ. After appearing as Natasha in the children's drama series Grange Hill (1985–1987), she came to prominence for her portrayal of Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (1993–1999, 2008–2014, 2019, 2024–2025). For her portrayal of the latter, she won the British Soap Award for Best Actress in 2000, and later the award for Best Comedy Performance in 2025.
Her other acting roles include The Bill, Gimme Gimme Gimme and The Catherine Tate Show. Palmer began DJing in 2012, and subsequently relocated to Malibu, California, in 2014. She has also appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing (2005), Comic Relief Does The Apprentice (2009), The Masked Singer (2020), Dancing on Ice (2023) and Celebrity Big Brother (2025).
Early life
Palmer was born Julie Anne Harris on 26 May 1972 to Albert and Patricia Harris (née Palmer), and was raised in Bethnal Green, London where she attended Globe Primary School and then nearby at Haggerston Girls Secondary School.{{cite web |title=EastEnders' Patsy Palmer expecting another child |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10831498 |website=BBC News |accessdate=2 April 2025 |date=1 August 2010 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418133936/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10831498 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Patsy Palmer: EastEnders actress set to appear on ITV's Dancing on Ice 2023 |url=https://www.londonworld.com/news/people/patsy-palmer-dancing-on-ice-3972970 |website=LondonWorld |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en |date=4 January 2023 |archive-date=10 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110105502/https://www.londonworld.com/news/people/patsy-palmer-dancing-on-ice-3972970 |url-status=live }} She was brought up by her mother, along with her two elder brothers, Albert and Harry. She also has half siblings named Georgia and Berty.{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Shauna Bannon |title=EastEnders' Patsy Palmer's marriage to private husband & soap star family member |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/eastenders-star-patsy-palmers-24-32703556 |website=RSVP Live |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en |date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621204916/https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/eastenders-star-patsy-palmers-24-32703556 |url-status=live }} Palmer's father was Irish.{{cite news |title=EastEnders star Patsy Palmer shares photo of look-alike late dad but reveals heartbreaking regret |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/eastenders-star-patsy-palmer-shares-20520386 |work=MyLondon |date=4 May 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2021 |access-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208170953/https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/eastenders-star-patsy-palmer-shares-20520386 |url-status=live }} Palmer's mother spotted her talent for acting and encouraged her to attend Anna Scher's acting school in London.{{cite web | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000521/ai_n14505044 | title = Interview Patsy Palmer | publisher = Sunday Mirror | author = Daphne Lockyer | date = 21 May 2000 | access-date = 17 April 2007 | archive-date = 6 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090206210124/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20000521/ai_n14505044 | url-status = live }} Palmer was bullied at school, and has said that acting was a form of escape.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8360000/newsid_8362700/8362791.stm|title=Patsy Palmer was picked on for having ginger hair|date=16 November 2009|work=BBC Online|publisher=CBBC|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-date=27 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427085215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8360000/newsid_8362700/8362791.stm|url-status=live}} At age six, she appeared in a West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.{{cite web |title=Patsy Palmer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2007/03/23/patsy_palmer_tony_fisher_interview_mar07_feature.shtml |website=BBC News |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en-gb |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309071155/http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2007/03/23/patsy_palmer_tony_fisher_interview_mar07_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}
Career
=Early career=
Upon enrolling at the Anna Scher Theatre school, and learning about an accomplished actress already with the name Julie Harris, Palmer adopted her current name by using her mother's maiden name and changing her given name to her mother's pet name, Patsy.{{cite web |title=THE HESTER LACEY INTERVIEW : patsy palmer |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-hester-lacey-interview-patsy-palmer-1310172.html |website=The Independent |accessdate=2 April 2025 |archive-date=11 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211121016/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-hester-lacey-interview-patsy-palmer-1310172.html |url-status=live }} Palmer made her screen debut in the television programme The Gentle Touch in 1984.{{cite web |title=How much is Patsy Palmer worth? |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/patsy-palmer-net-worth/ |website=Heart |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113165846/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/patsy-palmer-net-worth/ |url-status=live }} Like many other EastEnders actors, Palmer appeared on the children's drama show Grange Hill between 1985 and 1987. She went on to have small roles in BBC's Tricky Business (1989), Making News (1990), Clarissa (1991), Love Hurts (1992), Drop the Dead Donkey (1993), and The Bill, where she portrayed four different roles from 1988 to 1993.{{cite web |title=Patsy Palmer filmography |url=https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/patsy-palmer |website=Plex.tv |accessdate=2 April 2025}} She also appeared as an acne-ridden teenager in a 1989 Clearasil advert, and in a 1992 BT advert with other future EastEnders star Jake Wood.{{cite web | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000610/ai_n14302062 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090206205726/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000610/ai_n14302062 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 February 2009 | title= Staying In: Patsy Palmer | work = The Independent | author = Fiona Sturges| date =10 June 2000 | access-date=17 April 2007}}
=''EastEnders''=
In 1993, she was cast in the role of Bianca Jackson in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Bianca's on-screen marriage to Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) in 1997 drew one of the biggest soap audiences ever — more than 22 million.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/219572.stm | title = Entertainment Patsy Palmer to leave EastEnders | publisher = BBC | date = 22 November 1998 | access-date = 17 April 2007 | archive-date = 8 January 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060108004838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/219572.stm | url-status = live }} She remained in the role for six years, but left the show in 1999 to spend more time with her family and to concentrate on other projects.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/792150.stm | title = Patsy has early baby | publisher = BBC | date = 15 June 2000 | access-date = 17 April 2007 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209235814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/792150.stm | url-status = live }} She reprised the role in May 2002 in a special entitled, EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca. The two-part, hour-long special was filmed in Manchester, which reunited Bianca and Ricky for the first time in over two years.{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1785761.stm| title = Ricky and Bianca film soap return| publisher = BBC| date = 27 January 2002| access-date = 17 April 2007| archive-date = 21 January 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080121043451/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1785761.stm| url-status = live}}
In 2005, Palmer publicly criticised EastEnders, branding the storylines ridiculous and unbelievable and stating that she "wouldn't go back to EastEnders".{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2005/12/28/efpatsy28.xml| archive-url = https://archive.today/20090206231710/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2005/12/28/efpatsy28.xml| url-status = dead| archive-date = 6 February 2009| title= 'It's been seven years, but I guess I'll always be Bianca to some people'| publisher = The Telegraph | date =26 December 2005 | access-date=14 November 2007 | location=London | first=Hilary | last=Alexander}} However, in October 2007 the BBC announced that Palmer would be returning to the soap as a full-time character; she made her comeback on-screen in April 2008.{{cite news | title =Palmer making EastEnders comeback | date =29 October 2007 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7066949.stm | work =BBC News Website | access-date =29 October 2007 | archive-date =9 February 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090209235808/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7066949.stm | url-status =live }} Of her return, Palmer said "I can't wait to explore what Bianca has been doing with her life and seeing what she is going to get up to next", and EastEnders executive producer, Diederick Santer, added, "I'm delighted to welcome Patsy Palmer home to EastEnders. Bianca is one of the most popular characters the show has ever had".{{cite news | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2763163.ece| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110517064405/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2763163.ece| url-status = dead| archive-date = 17 May 2011| title= Patsy Palmer rejoins EastEnders| work = The Times | date =29 October 2007 | access-date=14 November 2007 | location=London}} In 2014, Palmer announced that she was leaving the soap opera.{{cite web |author=hellomagazine.com |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2014040918064/patsy-palmer-leaving-eastenders-for-hollywood/ |title=Patsy Palmer quits EastEnders for Hollywood |website=Hellomagazine.com |date=9 April 2014 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043606/http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2014040918064/patsy-palmer-leaving-eastenders-for-hollywood/ |url-status=live }} She reprised the role again in the autumn of 2019 for a short stint.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a27561151/eastenders-patsy-palmer-returning-bianca-jackson/|title=EastEnders bringing back Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=22 May 2019|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008025548/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a27561151/eastenders-patsy-palmer-returning-bianca-jackson/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-soap/actress-patsy-palmer-returning-to-eastenders-as-bianca-jackson-11364363991961|title=Actress Patsy Palmer returning to EastEnders as Bianca Jackson|website=BT.com|language=en|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531063921/https://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-soap/actress-patsy-palmer-returning-to-eastenders-as-bianca-jackson-11364363991961|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/east-enders-star-patsy-palmer-returning-to-soap-085416290.html|title=EastEnders star Patsy Palmer returning to play Bianca Jackson ahead of 'blistering storyline' – AOL|website=uk.news.yahoo.com|date=23 May 2019|language=en|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523190152/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/east-enders-star-patsy-palmer-returning-to-soap-085416290.html|url-status=live}} In February 2020, it was announced that Palmer would be reprising her role as Bianca again, with scenes set to air later in the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a31049750/eastenders-patsy-palmer-returns-bianca-jackson/|title=EastEnders tipped to bring back Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson for Whitney's prison story|work=Digital Spy|access-date=22 February 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008063857/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a31049750/eastenders-patsy-palmer-returns-bianca-jackson/|url-status=live}} However, this was later cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions.{{Cite news |last=Novak |first=Kim |date=2 October 2020 |title=Patsy Palmer reveals Bianca's return to EastEnders was cancelled due to coronavirus |work=Metro |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/02/patsy-palmer-reveals-biancas-return-to-eastenders-was-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus-13361841/ |archive-date=18 January 2021 |access-date=4 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118183509/https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/02/patsy-palmer-reveals-biancas-return-to-eastenders-was-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus-13361841/ |url-status=live }} In January 2024, it was announced that Palmer would be reprising the role again for a short stint. The character returned in March 2024 and appeared until June of that year, prior to a further return in September. She departed the role in 2025, in a storyline accommodating the exit of Bianca's on-screen sister Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy).{{cite web |title=Patsy Palmer to return to EastEnders as Bianca |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67967666 |website=BBC News |access-date=14 January 2024 |date=13 January 2024 |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113223525/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67967666 |url-status=live }}
=Other work=
Palmer made a guest appearance on the Christmas Day 1993 episode of Top of the Pops introducing 'No Limit' by 2 Unlimited with presenter Mark Franklin.{{cite web |last1=Brazier |first1=Callum |title=Christmas 1993 - Episode |url=https://totparchive.co.uk/episode.php?id=1555 |website=Top of the Pops Archive |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005220322/https://totparchive.co.uk/episode.php?id=1555 |url-status=live }}
Palmer worked on the first series of OK TV with Fiona Phillips in 1999. In the first episode of the series she was shown at a beauty salon where she got her hair shampooed and interviewed Lindsey Coulson, who played her fictional mother Carol Jackson in EastEnders. In 1999, Palmer made a cameo appearance as herself in an episode of Kathy Burke's sitcom, Gimme Gimme Gimme; it made light of her role as Bianca Jackson. She appeared as Clare in the detective series McCready and Daughter, which aired for a pilot and one series between 2000 and 2001.{{cite web |title=BBC - McCready And Daughter - Episode guide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03jnk8w/episodes/guide |website=BBC |accessdate=2 April 2025 |archive-date=30 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230154823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03jnk8w/episodes/guide |url-status=live }} She made an appearance in He Knew He Was Right for the BBC in 2004, and in 2001 she was seen in the television mini-series Do or Die, which aired on Sky One.{{cite web |title=Do or Die (2001) {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/do_or_die_2001 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en}}
On stage she has starred in the one-woman musical Tell Me On A Sunday, which toured the UK, and played in London's West End. She also had a leading role in a UK tour of the musical Steppin' Out, appeared in the original West End run of Mum's the Word, and acted in We Happy Few by Imogen Stubbs, which played a short run at the Gielgud Theatre.{{cite web |title=Patsy steps out to dazzle all lovers of dance |url=https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/patsy-steps-out-to-dazzle-all-lovers-of-dance/28237780.html |website=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |accessdate=2 April 2025 |date=12 February 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Billington |first1=Michael |title=We Happy Few |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2004/jul/05/theatre |website=The Guardian |accessdate=2 April 2025 |date=5 July 2004}}
Palmer stood in for GMTV's Lorraine Kelly, presenting her Lorraine Live section for a week in 1999, reporting from Miami on fashion, lifestyle, health and fitness.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/441657.stm | title = EastEnder Patsy to join GMTV | publisher = BBC | date = 8 September 1999 | access-date = 9 April 2007 | archive-date = 26 January 2004 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040126023715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/441657.stm | url-status = live }} She has also co-hosted Channel 4's Big Breakfast as a guest presenter for a week. Palmer has released a number of hit fitness videos and DVDs: Patsy Palmer – The Club Workout (2000), Patsy Palmer – The Urban Workout (2002) and Patsy Palmer's Ibiza Workout (2002). In 2006 Palmer made an appearance in the charity fitness DVD The Allstar Workout. Palmer's film work includes the shorts Love Story (1999) directed by Nick Love, and Another Green World (2005) directed by Peter Chipping.
In 2005, Palmer became a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing. She was paired with Anton Du Beke and the pair were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the competition, finishing in 5th place overall.{{cite web |title=BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing, Series 3, Week 9 Results |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vh6qn |website=BBC |accessdate=2 April 2025}} She has also made a cameo appearance with Catherine Tate's sketch show The Catherine Tate Show. In February 2007, she was a jury member on the BBC programme The Verdict, where various celebrities ruled on a contemporary and controversial case, based on evidence and examples from real life.{{cite web |last1=Jeffries |first1=Stuart |last2=Gibson |first2=Owen |title=Celebrity jury is on the case as BBC creates reality television rape trial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/dec/13/bbc.crime |website=The Guardian |accessdate=2 April 2025 |date=13 December 2006}}
Palmer's autobiography All of Me was released in the UK on 5 April 2007. In the book, she described her ascent to fame, her struggle with addiction and how she battled to overcome her problems. In 2003, in addition to acting, Palmer and her friend, Charlotte Cutler went into business with marketer Ken Wells and a Kent-based chemical company, to create "Palmer Cutler", selling beauty and self-tanning products.{{cite web | url = http://www.redandproud.com/The%20Red%20HotSeat%20-%20Patsy%20Palmer.htm | title = Patsy Palmer – In the Red Hot Seat | publisher = Red and Proud | access-date = 14 November 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071109055200/http://www.redandproud.com/The%20Red%20HotSeat%20-%20Patsy%20Palmer.htm | archive-date = 9 November 2007 | df = dmy-all }}
In 2008, a short film starring Palmer was released by housing and homelessness charity Shelter.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090206170708/http://trapped.keystothefuture.org.uk/?r=hp2 Trapped – an interactive short film by Seefood films] Palmer has been DJing since 2012,{{cite web|title=Patsy Palmer starts DJing|url=http://www.sickchirpse.com/patsy-palmer-starts-djing/|publisher=sickchirpse.com|date=29 June 2012}} including in United States since 2017.{{cite news|last1=Watts|first1=Halina|title=The soap stars who have found very unusual ways of living the American dream in Hollywood|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/soap-stars-who-found-very-10009163|publisher=Daily Mirror|date=11 March 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204175800/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/soap-stars-who-found-very-10009163|url-status=live}} In January 2020, Palmer appeared as the Butterfly on the ITV reality singing competition The Masked Singer.{{Cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/04/masked-singer-fans-left-reeling-mystery-butterfly-revealed-patsy-palmer-12001385/|title=The Masked Singer: Fans left reeling after mystery Butterfly revealed as Patsy Palmer|last=Bray|first=Abbie|work=Digital Spy|access-date=4 January 2020}} In March, Palmer participated in the third series of The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.{{cite web |title=Interview with Patsy Palmer {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-patsy-palmer |website=www.channel4.com |accessdate=2 April 2025}} In December, she appeared as a guest on The One Show in an episode dedicated to the late Barbara Windsor.{{cite web |title=EastEnders's Patsy Palmer and Shane Richie pay emotional tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a34946103/eastenders-one-show-barbara-windsor-shane-richie/ |website=Digital Spy |accessdate=2 April 2025 |date=11 December 2020}} In 2023, Palmer was a contestant on the fifteenth series of Dancing on Ice. She was paired with Matt Evers and the pair were fourth to be eliminated.{{Cite tweet |number=1337457884641288193 |user=BBCTheOneShow |title=Tonight join @MissAlexjones and @realshanerichie as they celebrate the life of Dame Barbara Windsor with guests @GylesB1 , @JWinstone and @patsypalmerx . Plus a live performance from @celeste . #TheOneShow |author=BBC |date=11 December 2020}} In April 2025, Palmer entered the Celebrity Big Brother house to appear as a housemate on the twenty-fourth series.{{cite web |last1=Whiteway-Wilkinson |first1=Zasha |last2=Duff |first2=Seamus |title=EastEnders icon 'signs up' to ITV Celebrity Big Brother |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/eastenders-icon-patsy-palmer-signs-10065791 |website=Leicestershire Live |accessdate=2 April 2025 |language=en |date=30 March 2025}}
Personal life
Palmer has been married twice and has four children, including Charley Palmer Rothwell, who is also an actor.{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/11265|title=Baby boy joy for Patsy Palmer|date=14 December 2010|work=What's on TV|access-date=15 December 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830025447/http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/11265|archive-date=30 August 2012}} For 10 years, starting in 2004, she lived with her husband and children in Western Terrace and then Kemptown, Brighton, England.{{cite news | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4304401.Brighton_move_made_Patsy_Palmer_calmer/ | title = Brighton move | work = The Argus | date = 20 April 2009 | archive-date = 11 January 2014 | access-date = 26 June 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140111214652/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4304401.Brighton_move_made_Patsy_Palmer_calmer/ | url-status = live }} Her brother, Harry Harris, is married to Lindsey Coulson, the actress who played her on-screen mother Carol Jackson in EastEnders.{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/tv_and_showbiz/s/58196_telly_talk_new_role_is_murder_for_lindsey|title=Telly talk: New role is murder for Lindsey|date=10 May 2003|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421085248/http://menmedia.co.uk/tv_and_showbiz/s/58196_telly_talk_new_role_is_murder_for_lindsey|url-status=dead}} In April 2014, Palmer and most of her family moved to Malibu, California.{{cite news|last1=Douglas|first1=Nicole|title=EastEnders star Patsy Palmer's SHOCK career change revealed: 'She really is in demand'|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/1023848/eastenders-patsy-palmers-shock-career-change-dj-in-demand-soap-actress-bianca-jackson|work=ok.co.uk|publisher=OK!|date=12 March 2017}}
Palmer has stated that she struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, and that during her early stints on EastEnders she frequently turned up on set either high or hungover. She has said that she began experimenting with alcohol and drugs from the age of 10 that and her addiction lasted for 24 years. In 2010, she stated that she had been clean of drugs and alcohol since September 2004 and that "We don't have drink in our house".{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/05/09/enders-legend-patsy-palmer-on-her-20-year-battle-with-drink-and-drugs-and-how-she-was-saved-by-motherhood-and-love-115875-22244750/|title=Enders legend Patsy Palmer on her 20-year battle with drink and drugs and how she was saved by motherhood and love|last=Ellam|first=Dennis|date=9 May 2010|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-date=12 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612090334/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/05/09/enders-legend-patsy-palmer-on-her-20-year-battle-with-drink-and-drugs-and-how-she-was-saved-by-motherhood-and-love-115875-22244750/|url-status=live}}
Palmer, who was bullied during her school years, lent her support to the Department for Education's anti-bullying campaign in 2000.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1068898.stm | title = Bullying drove TV star to steal | work = BBC News | date = 13 December 2000 | access-date = 9 April 2007 | archive-date = 30 June 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060630104727/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1068898.stm | url-status = live }} She is an active patron of Children's Cancer Charity CLIC Sargent.{{cite web |title=East Ham cancer survivor speaks out about the 'hidden costs' of her illness |url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/21435255.east-ham-cancer-survivor-speaks-hidden-costs-illness/ |website=Newham Recorder |language=en |date=19 June 2017}}
Filmography
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{sister project links|c=Category:Patsy Palmer|d=yes|q=no|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
- {{IMDb name|0658405}}
{{British Soap Award for Best Actress}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmer, Patsy}}
Category:British Soap Award for Best Actress winners
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:English child actresses
Category:English stage actresses
Category:English soap opera actresses
Category:English television actresses
Category:English radio actresses
Category:Actors from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Category:Actresses from London
Category:Alumni of the Anna Scher Theatre School
Category:21st-century English women musicians