Charlie Brooks used to get offered "a tenner" by people on the street when her 'EastEnders' character, Janine Butcher, was a prostitute.
Charlie Brooks as Janine Butcher
The 40-year-old star is gearing up to make a comeback on the BBC One soap as the soap villain, the actress has revealed some of the remarks she's had to her major storylines over the years, including pushing her husband Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) off a cliff, and becoming a sex worker after she became homeless.
Speaking to press, she shared: “'You killed Barry!' That’s the one I get the most.
“It used to be 'here luv, here’s a tenner' in the prostitution days.
“She’s been through a lot this poor girl!”
When she returns, viewers will finally get to see what Janine will be like as a mother to her daughter Scarlett - whom she had with Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), a second cousin once removed of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) - and she teased an "explosive" arrival, as she nearly mows down Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton).
Charlie teased: “We know that it’s going to be explosive, we might see some flames in a big fire.
"I think some of the relationships, some of the old characters that we see her working with, for me I know when it’s exciting because I can feel it as an actress, I can feel it when two characters are sparking off each other, I’m like ‘This feels so good and so exciting’ so you’ve got a lot of that to look forward to.
“It’s fun and that’s what I’m excited about exploring with her as well as all of the layered stuff that’s going on with her.”
The show's boss Kate Oates said: "I think one of the most interesting things to watch when Janine returns is how she will be as a mother.
"When she returns, Janine makes it clear that she will do anything for Scarlett – including taking on Kat Slater … but even when she’s trying to be a great mother, Janine will always end up putting herself first."
'EastEnders' executive producer Jon Sen said: "[Janine] has obviously got Scarlett, her daughter, who’s in care and that’s given her pause for thought, and perhaps the maternal instinct has finally clicked with Janine, who knows?"
Janine hasn't changed her ways in the slightest and is set to face "a lot of enemies".
He added: “We’d be robbing the audience if we didn’t bring back the Janine we know and love. Last time we saw her she was heading off to chase another man for his money, and now she has returned with a bit of a plan as we will discover.
“She comes back to the Square with a few friends and a lot of enemies. There are friendships to be rekindled and scores to be settled. So it makes sense for everyone to keep a pair of slip-on shoes.”
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