Teresa di Marco

Name: Teresa di Marco
First Appeared: 29th January 1998
Last Appeared: 3rd August 2000
Played by: Leila Birch

Teresa di Marco brought a vibrant, rebellious energy to Albert Square when she first appeared at her father’s funeral in January 1998. Known as the wild child of the di Marco family, she had her overprotective brothers Beppe and Gianni constantly watching over her. Despite their efforts, Teresa’s knack for finding trouble often kept them on their toes. After failing her A-level exams, much to her mother’s suspicion that she did it on purpose to stick around as a waitress in the family restaurant, Teresa proved she had bigger aspirations by setting up her own stall in the market.

True to her wild child reputation, Teresa managed to get caught up in various dramatic escapades. She was caught with drugs by the police and discovered that her bisexual boyfriend, Tony Hills, had an affair with his ex-boyfriend Simon Raymond. As if that wasn’t enough, Teresa also had flings with Lenny Wallace and the married Ricky Butcher. Her romantic misadventures culminated in a dramatic run with her then-boyfriend Matthew Rose, who was suspected of murdering Saskia Duncan. When Matthew was found guilty, Teresa was heartbroken. She campaigned tirelessly for his freedom, and though they reunited upon his release, his obsession with seeking revenge on the real murderer, Steve Owen, drove them apart.

Following accusations of assault against her sister, most of the di Marco clan decided to leave for Leicester. Teresa, initially reluctant, had a heart-to-heart with her brother Beppe, which made her realize the need for a fresh start. Despite her fierce independent streak and trouble-seeking tendencies, Teresa valued her family, and this pivotal moment prompted her to join them in leaving Walford.