Mary Smith

Name: Mary Smith
First Appeared: 5th March 1985
Last Appeared: 12th December 2022
Played by: Linda Davidson

Mary Smith, better known as Mary the Punk, was a Walford wonder from the start, bringing with her a rebellious streak and a whole lot of attitude. With her spiky hair and punk rock style, Mary was impossible to miss and even harder to ignore. She moved into Reg Cox’s old council flat with her baby daughter, Annie, and quickly became one of Walford’s most talked-about residents. 

Mary’s life was a whirlwind of chaos and drama. She had been touring with a punk band when she found out she was pregnant, and decided to escape her overbearing family by moving to London. As a single mother, Mary struggled to make ends meet and often found herself in tricky situations. Her stubborn nature and refusal to take advice didn’t help matters, and she frequently relied on the kindness of her neighbours to get by. Dot Cotton, in particular, became an unlikely friend and babysitter for little Annie. 

Money got so tight that she dipped into stripping to make some extra cash. Encouraged by her friend Sheena, Mary took up dancing for the local shopkeeper, Saeed Jeffery. This decision led to some pretty wild nights and even wilder stories. But it wasn’t all fun and games – one night, Sheena left Annie alone while Mary was out working, leading to a close call that made Mary rethink her choices and cut ties with Sheena. 

Despite her many missteps, Mary had a good heart and a fierce love for her daughter. Her journey was one of growth and self-discovery, as she learned to navigate the challenges of motherhood and life in Walford. She even made an effort to improve herself by learning to read with the help of nurse Andy O’Brien. Mary’s determination to provide a better life for Annie was always at the forefront of her story, even if her methods were sometimes questionable.

Mary’s time in Albert Square was marked by her fiery spirit and unforgettable antics. She left Walford in 1988, but made brief returns for Dr. Legg’s funeral and for Dot Cotton’s farewell. Her legacy as Walford’s original wild child lives on, reminding us all that sometimes, it’s the rebels who leave the biggest mark.