Shirley Carter

Name: Shirley Carter
First Appeared: 7th December 2006
Last Appeared: 29th December 2022
Played by: Linda Henry

Shirley Carter, the woman who could out-stare a bulldog and out-drink a sailor, first stormed into Albert Square in 2006, with her no-nonsense attitude and a heart as big as her bark. Shirley quickly became a cornerstone of Walford life, leaving a trail of memorable moments and a few bruised egos in her wake.

Shirley’s arrival was nothing short of explosive. She came to reconnect with her estranged children, Carly and Dean, much to their initial dismay! Her argumentative relationship with her ex-husband Kevin Wicks added fuel to the fire, especially when she revealed some shocking truths about their paternity. But beneath the tough exterior, Shirley’s love for her family was undeniable, even if you had to look past her tough exterior and empty vodka bottles to find it…

Of course, she had a volatile relationship with Phil Mitchell. Their on-again, off-again romance was a rollercoaster of passion, betrayal, and the occasional punch-up – but they seemed perfect together. Well… Whether she was accidentally shooting Phil or teaming up with him to take down a common enemy, Shirley’s chemistry with Phil kept viewers on the edge of their seats. And let’s not forget her unforgettable friendship with Heather Trott, which brought out a softer, more vulnerable side to the usually tough-as-nails Shirley.

Shirley’s chief concern is her family though, and she had plenty of it with the arrival of her son Mick Carter and his brood. Mick discovering he was actually her son, not her brother, added more noise to her already chaotic life! Her fierce loyalty to her family often put her at odds with others, especially when it came to defending her son Dean, despite his darker actions against women.

In recent years, Shirley faced some of her toughest challenges yet. From dealing with the murder of her sister Tina by Gray Atkins to grappling with Mick’s presumed death at sea, Shirley’s resilience was put to the test. Needing to recharge and recover, her departure from Walford to visit her daughter Carly in Australia marked the end of an era, but her legacy of strength and determination lives on.