Debbie Wilkins

Name: Debbie Wilkins
First Appeared: 21st March 1985
Last Appeared: 14th May 1987
Played by: Shirley Cheriton

Known as Walford’s first upwardly mobile character, Debbie had an on/off relationship with her ill-fated boyfriend, Andy O’Brien, and was often seen as a bit too pretentious by the working-class locals. Debbie and Andy moved to Albert Square together, throwing cocktail parties, getting involved in campaigns and protests, and jogging in matching tracksuits, much to the bemusement of their neighbours. Little did anyone know, Debbie was actually raised on a nearby council estate, making her seem even more out of place.

Debbie and Andy’s relationship was rocky from the start. While Andy wanted to settle down and start a family, Debbie was ambitious and determined, focusing on success. She left her steady job as a bank clerk to start her own business, which led to financial struggles and numerous rows with Andy. Despite the challenges, Andy proposed to Debbie, but their engagement was marred by a mugging incident on New Year’s Eve that left Debbie without her engagement ring. The situation got even more complicated when local policeman Roy Quick began wooing Debbie, leading to an open relationship that left Andy jealous and frustrated. Just as Debbie realized she wanted to marry Andy, tragedy struck in August 1986 when Andy was killed saving a toddler from being hit by a truck. Debbie’s grief was compounded by guilt, as her last words to Andy during a row had been “drop dead.”

In 1987, Debbie faced another challenge when the women of Walford were targeted by the “Walford attacker.” She managed to fend off the attacker using self-defence, leading to his capture and a new romantic interest for Debbie in the form of Detective Terry Rich, who was investigating the case. The two began dating, and when Terry was transferred to another division, Debbie decided to leave Walford with him. They got engaged, threw a celebratory leaving party at the Queen Vic, and left the Square in May 1987.