Becca Swanson

Name: Becca Swanson
First Appeared: 7th December 2009
Last Appeared: 3rd September 2010
Played by: Simone James

Becca Swanson, Stacey Slater’s loyal yet troubled friend, first popped up when Stacey was staying in a psychiatric hospital. Becca was a steadfast companion to Stacey, especially when Stacey’s mom Jean visited, and Becca convinced her to stay put instead of going home. Their bond was solidified by their shared experiences, including the fact that Becca’s father had left her as a child, and her mother’s new relationship led to her staying with the Slaters.

When Stacey left the hospital, Becca feared losing touch with her friend, prompting Stacey to invite her to Albert Square. Becca’s arrival was nothing short of eventful. She instantly wanted to meet everyone Stacey had mentioned, particularly Max Branning, with whom Stacey had a complicated past. Becca’s protective nature sometimes crossed lines, like when she revealed Stacey’s pregnancy during a barmaid job audition or when she impersonated a businesswoman to secure a market stall for Stacey.

Jealousy started brewing in Becca when she felt left out of Stacey and Bradley’s plans. Her misguided attempts to help, like stealing Ronnie Mitchell’s hairbrush for a DNA test, only complicated matters. When she wasn’t invited to Stacey and Bradley’s wedding, Becca’s insecurities hit new heights. Her actions culminated in a catastrophic misunderstanding, leading to Bradley’s death as he fled from the police. Becca’s misplaced loyalty and actions brought more turmoil to Stacey’s already chaotic life.

Following Bradley’s death, Becca’s behaviour became more erratic. She seduced Max Branning and even tried to manipulate Stacey by deleting messages and lying about Jean, creating a wedge between mother and daughter. Her attempts to control the situation and keep Stacey dependent on her backfired spectacularly when Jean exposed her as the one who had called the police on Bradley, leading to a physical confrontation with Stacey. Ultimately, Becca’s manipulative actions led to her being thrown out by Jean.