Sue Osman

Name: Sue Osman
First Appeared: 19th February 1985
Last Appeared: 23rd May 1989
Played by: Sandy Ratcliff

Sue Osman’s life in Walford was nothing short of dramatic. Married to Turkish Cypriot Ali Osman, Sue was known for her fiery personality and sharp tongue. She never hesitated to speak her mind, which often led to altercations with others, especially Lou Beale. Suspecting everyone from Kathy Beale to Angie Watts of trying to seduce her husband, Sue’s insecurities fuelled many a neighbourhood row. Yet beneath her brash exterior, Sue’s life was plagued by tragedy and heartache.

In June 1985, Sue and Ali’s lives were shattered when their baby, Hassan, died from cot death. The tragedy sent Sue into a trance-like state of grief, where she refused to eat, sleep, or acknowledge her sorrow. Her marriage to Ali suffered as she blamed herself for their son’s death. With Dr. Legg’s help, Sue eventually confronted her grief, but the obsession to replace Hassan took a toll. A phantom pregnancy in 1986 and a failed adoption attempt only deepened her despair, leading to more turmoil when she feared she had breast cancer. Despite receiving the all-clear, the couple’s dream of another child seemed elusive.

Hope returned in October 1987 when Sue announced she was pregnant again. In March 1988, she gave birth to another son, “Little Ali.” Sue’s determination to be the perfect mother led her to exclude Ali from parenting duties, straining their relationship. Feeling neglected, Ali had an affair with Donna Ludlow, which Donna later used to blackmail him. When Donna revealed the affair to Sue in March 1989, Sue sought solace from Ali’s brother, Mehmet, sparking a series of events that fractured the Osman family. Sue took Little Ali and left Walford, her mental state deteriorating further.

Ali’s attempts to reconcile were futile as Sue suffered a mental breakdown after he snatched their son back. Admitted to a psychiatric hospital in May 1989, Sue was never seen in Albert Square again.