Lorraine Stanley has got a new puppy.
Lorraine Stanley as EastEnders' Karen Taylor
The ‘EastEnders’ actress – who has six-year-old daughter Nancy with husband Mark Perez – decided to open her home to a “gorgeous” Cavapoo puppy named Betty after her child begged her for a sibling.
She told Inside Soap magazine: “My daughter wanted a sister, and I said to her, ‘You can have a four-legged one instead!’
“She has a good temperament. And she gets me out and about. I’ve never had a dog in my life, so this is all new to me!”
Until she got Betty, the only dog in her life was her character Karen Taylor’s on-screen pet Banjo.
Lorraine said: “He’s lovely. And his real name is Mr Jones, so when he comes on set I sing, ‘Me and Mr Jones!”
Despite the old showbusiness adage “Never work with children or animals”, Lorraine loves being surrounded by her on-screen pet, children, and grandchildren because they make her feel “alive”.
She said: “I come home to the same. Well, I just have one kid at home, not six! I love having kids and dogs on set – it makes you feel alive.”
After Karen’s daughter, Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) was killed following a fight with abusive husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) last year, Lorraine wouldn’t be surprised if Karen ends up caring for her grandchildren, Mia and Mack, too.
Lorraine joked that her character would take in her grandkids as the net is closing in on killer Gray.
She said: “Karen is all about family, so I’m sure she would take her grandkids on board. Her flat is small, but she’d make it work!”