Derek Branning, the man who could start a fight in an empty room, made his grand entrance at his sister April’s wedding in 1996. He and his dad, Jim, wasted no time in showing their disapproval of Carol’s boyfriend, Alan Jackson. Their racist jibes and attempts to split the couple…

Ava Hartman’s arrival in Walford was nothing short of dramatic. In July 2012, Cora Cross revealed to her daughter Tanya that Ava, born in 1964, was taken away by hospital staff and presumed dead. In reality, Ava was put up for adoption. Fast forward to November, and Cora confided in…

Sam James’ return to Walford was as unexpected as a sunny day in London. He showed up just when Ava Hartman was expecting Billy Mitchell for a date. Ava was shocked to see Sam, who immediately asked if the voice he heard was his son, Dexter. Ava, ever the protective…

Alice Branning’s arrival in Walford was as subtle as a brick through a window. She first appeared following Derek Branning around, making him as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. When Derek confronted her, accusing her of being a police officer, Alice dropped the bombshell…

Joey Branning showed up in Walford to persuade his sister, Alice, to return home, but things quickly went south when he punched Derek Branning and revealed he was his son. Joey made it clear he wanted nothing to do with Derek, setting the stage for a tumultuous relationship.

Kirsty Bell met Max Branning in 2011 after he was exiled by his daughters, Lauren and Abi. They quickly tied the knot and moved to Manchester. However, when Max’s ex-wife Tanya was diagnosed with cervical cancer, Max ditched Kirsty and returned to Walford. He called her to end their marriage,…

Carl White was the kind of bloke who could make even the toughest residents of Walford break into a cold sweat. A drug dealer by trade, Carl’s life took a turn when he was sentenced to five years in prison. During his time behind bars, he struck up a friendship…

AJ Ahmed burst into Walford like a whirlwind, bringing chaos and laughter in equal measure. From the moment he arrived, his brother Masood Ahmed made sure he steered clear of his ex-wife Zainab Khan, who had a particular dislike for AJ. It didn’t take long for AJ to prove himself…

Poppy Meadow breezed into Walford as Jodie Gold’s bubbly best friend, always ready for a chat in The Queen Vic about the latest gossip. Jodie, ever the matchmaker, tried to set Poppy up with Tamwar Masood, but Zainab Masood had other ideas and put a stop to that plan. Poppy’s…

Sadie Young was a woman who knew how to keep her life in check, a skill she honed from her parents’ messy divorce. She believed in showing the world only what she wanted them to see, a strategy that served her well in both business and personal life. Despite a…