| Shirley Carter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Linda Henry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2006–2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 3270 7 December 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 6619 29 December 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Dominic Treadwell-Collins[1] Alexander Lamb[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Kate Harwood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | EastEnders: E20 (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shirley Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Linda Henry. She first appeared on 7 December 2006, during episodes set in Dorset. This is Henry's second role in ''EastEnders'', as she previously played prostitute Lorraine Salter (1991–1992). Shirley was presented upon her arrival as the mother of established characters Deano (Matt Di Angelo) and Carly Wicks (Kellie Shirley). Henry took a break from the show on 7 September 2012,[3] before returning on 3 December 2012.[4] On 29 December 2022, Henry took an extended break from the show, with Shirley hoped to return at some point in the future.[5] However, there is currently no confirmed date for her return. Shirley is also one of several EastEnders characters to appear in the internet spin-off series EastEnders: E20.
Some of her storylines have included trying and failing to rebuild relationships with her children Carly (Kellie Shirley) and Deano (Matt Di Angelo); a friendship with Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison); a volatile relationship with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), which ends when Phil covers up his son Ben's (Joshua Pascoe) murder of Heather; the introduction of her son Mick (Danny Dyer), who at first was believed to be her brother, and his family; an affair with Phil despite him being engaged to Sharon Rickman (Letitia Dean); accidentally shooting Phil; a feud with Mick over her refusal to believe that Dean has raped Mick's wife Linda (Kellie Bright); a custody battle with Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) over her and Dean's daughter Jade Green (Amaya Edward); a feud with Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ); discovering that her sister Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White) has been murdered by Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith); vowing revenge on Phil for framing Tina for Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) attack, which led her to Gray's violence; and grieving for Mick when he is presumed dead at sea.
- ^ 'EastEnders': Luisa Bradshaw-White to play Shirley's sister Tina
- ^ Alex Lamb on Twitter: "@LnSfan remember @dominictc & I created Shirley. When we first met her we knew there was a 3rd son. Her history's being revealed not ruined." Archived 5 March 2016
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (27 August 2012). "Shirley issues a warning as she leaves Walford – EastEnders Spoiler – Soaps – Digital Spy". Digital Spy.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel; Dainty, Sophie (21 January 2013). "Soapland's joiners, movers and leavers – Soaps Site New". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Knight, Lewis (29 December 2022). "Has Shirley Carter left EastEnders for good after Mick's exit?". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2023.