January 2001
All About Soap Issue 02
The Last Word
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A pair of black trousers with a diamond waist from Warehouse. They were to go with a basque top I bought ages ago. They match perfectly so I was really pleased.
Who was the last person you told you loved them?
My Dog! He's a shih-tzu called Bailey and I tell him I live him all the time. I got him from a rescue home when he was about three - the poor little thing had been mistreated at his previous home. I think he's a bit scarred from that as he can be quite snappy sometimes.
When was the last time you got told off?
My mum told me off a few months ago when I did the Loaded shoot and was on the cover of the magazine with my bra strap hanging down. She wasn't too happy!
When was the last time you went on holiday?
Last year I went to Tenerife with two male friends of mine and it was brilliant. Ideally I'd like to go to America. I would love to drive a car all the way round it.
When was the last time you told a lie?
I can't remember! I'm really a bad liar, people know straight away when I'm lying because I start to stutter and my face goes bright red! If I am tempted, then I've really got to think about it first and make up my story and stick to it. Otherwise, I start backtracking and people know I'm telling lies.
Who did you last speak to on the phone?
To tell you the truth, I don't like to spend too much time on the phone. Once I've finished work I like to go home and just be with my friends, learn my lines or just watch a bit of TV. I don't really like to sit on the phone - I get irritable!
What was the last book you read?
Hannibal, which was fantastic. It's so much better than Silence of the Lambs. I really want to see the film when it comes out because it's got Gary Oldman in it and he is one of my favourite actors. I know for a fact it's going to be a great movie because Anthony Hopkins is in it as well.
What would you spend your last tenner on?
A good moisturiser so at least my skin would be soft. I've just bought this cream that cost me £60 and it's no different to those I've spent a tenner on. You pay for the label.
What is the last thing you do at night?
Brush my teeth. I've always been quite obsessive about it because I like my own teeth and I don't want to be wearing somebody else's! I don't brush my teeth for as long as I used to though because I've got slight toothache at the moment and have to go to the dentist.
When was the last time you got the giggles?
About half an hour ago. I had to do a kissing scene and I just got a fit of giggles, not during the take though, but before and after. I never used to be able to control them, but I'm getting better. No one in particular makes me laugh, I do it myself. I have mad thoughts and just can't stop myself!
When was the last time you cried?
Last night, watching The Green Mile. I've seen it about five times now and have cried every time! Some people think the film is quite long, but I don't think it's on for long enough! I tend to cry at a lot of films, I'm sad like that. My favourite programme is Little House on the Prairie - so I cry every Saturday morning when it's on!
Happy Valentines Day
Michelle Ryan, Eastenders; " I don't normally send Valentine's cards, unless it's to someone specific. And even then, I've never had any response! I think Valentine's Day is a really sweet time though, especially when you've got someone to share it with. I'm currently looking! "
January 13th
Soaplife issue 19
Soap Gossip
Ex-make-up artist Jessie Wallace, better known as Albert Square sex kitten Kat Slater, has taken to fake tan to save her skin. "I'm a sun worshipper and my face has started to show it," she confesses. "Even my lines have got lines!"
Garry's Girls
Garry has just cheated on Lynne with Amelia. Who is she?
Amelia was just someone Garry met out clubbing and they had a one-night stand. Garry likes having a steady girlfriend but he's got a roving eye. It was a close shave and Mark had to cover for him when Lynne started asking questions. Charlie was also suspicious and I think Garry's living on borrowed time as far as he's concerned.
Does Garry get a buzz from the risk of getting caught out?
Very much so - it's all notches on the bedpost as far as he's concerned. I reckon he's slept with well over 40 women. Garry saw the move to Albert Square as an even greater chance to play the field, but the danger now is that he's doing it on home turf. Up until now he's always managed to sweet-talk his way out of things, but he's coming unstuck and had better watch it!
Why do you think he's got such a way with women?
I imagine he's got some cracking chat-up lines, and he's always trying to go one better. He's got a sensitive side, which he shows with Lynne, but can be a complete Jack the Lad when he's on the pull. But for someone who thinks that women have smaller feet so they can stand nearer to the kitchen sink, he doesn't do badly.
Who will Garry be after next?
I don't know - anyone could be a potential Garry victim. Really it's a case of anything in a skirt! He does start to flirt a bit with Janine. She works with Lynne so that's dangerous.
Will we see him going after Kat again?
Well they do say once bitten, twice shy but these things do have a habit of recurring. You never know - one day she might drop her defences.
How much longer will Lynne remain in the dark about Garry's infidelity?
What she finds out is pretty much down to her family. They like her so much they don't want to tell her stuff that will hurt her. She'd never find out from Garry as he's constantly telling her 'there's only one girl for me, Babes'. but their relationship depends on her trust for him and that's slowly chipping away.
Is it fun playing a Casanova?
Garry is not so much a Casanova as a chancer, a risk-taker. Casanovas wine and dine women, whereas Garry's idea is to get as much booze down them as possible, then hope their reflexes are lowered! He's a great character - he likes life and he likes women...
Who's the top of the soap lover boys?
Garry Hobbs (Eastenders) - gigolo Garry hasn't let the grass grow under his feet since hitting Albert Square. He didn't exactly object when nanny Laura fell into his arms, and he's convinced Kat's after him, however much she protests otherwise. He's obviously not a one-woman man so there should be plenty of fun and fireworks to come. Charlie Slater's certainly got his measure: "You're a little chancer with your brain in your pants," he snapped at him.
Hunk
Appeal
: 
Charm
: 
Notches on the bedpost : 
Sunday January 14th
News of the World
TV Kat's Sister Shocker
It's only a matter of time before the Kat is out of the bag and Eastender Zoe discovers her big sister is really her mum.
The amazing truth about the Slater sisters comes to light after Zoe says she need her birth certificate to get a passport.
Viewers will then learn that Kat, now 30, gave birth to Zoe at 13 and the family hushed up the truth.
An Eastenders insider said: "Zoe thinks her mum is dead - but the truth is very different.
"Kat leapt to the defense of Sonia when she fell pregnant. Now we know why."
There's more trouble when Zoe celebrates her 17th birthday in the February 1st episode.
Charlie Slater, the man she thinks is her dad, gives a speech in the Queen Vic proudly calling Zoe, played by Michelle Ryan, "My special little girl,"
Emotional Kat - Jessie Wallace - storms: "She's not your special little girl, she's mine."
January 30th
Inside soap issue 72 Kat's secret life -
Kat is her 'sister' Zoe's real mum - but that's not all the square's scarlet lady's got to hide...
Just when we thought there was nothing more to Kat Slater than short skirts, a quick temper and an aversion to anything resembling a day's work, her deep dark secret has been revealed. In the wake of Kat's emotional breakdown at her 'sister' Zoe's 17th birthday-when it came to light that she's not Zoe's sibling after all, but in fact the teenager's mother-this fortnight we find Kat struggling to continue coping with the secret from her past.
"Only Kat's gran Mo, her dad Charlie and older sister Lynne know that Zoe is Kat's daughter," reveals Jessie Wallace, who plays the workshy temptress. "Kat had Zoe when she was only 13 years old, and the family kept it under wraps so that Zoe could be brought up by Kat's late mother."
Having lived with the secret all these years, the advent of Zoe's 17th birthday strikes a particular emotional chord for Kat.
"She's always tried to ignore it, and play the part of being Zoe's big sister," says Jessie. "But now she's getting older, and having watched Zoe grow up, Kat feels like she's missing out on something. She's only just started facing up to the facts, and now she wants to be a bigger part of Zoe's life."
But facing facts doesn't necessarily mean telling Zoe the truth, as Jessie goes on to explain.
"Kat wouldn't want to spoil Zoe's life by telling her that the woman she's been grieving for this past year wasn't her mum, but her grandma," continues Jessie. "Although she wants to keep things the way they are, Kat would like to be more protective over Zoe-be a better sister to her, rather than letting her know she's her mother."
However, motherhood isn't the only thing Kat is concealing this fortnight. While she attempts to deal with her feelings for Zoe, she's also busy hiding her illicit affair with Walford's new GP, Dr. Anthony Trueman, from the prying eyes around Albert Square.
"Kat was attracted to the doctor straight away," smiles Jessie. "He's the new piece of meat on the Square, and he's a professional person, very well turned out in his suit, and very much the gentleman-so of course she makes a beeline for him."
But rather than shouting about her new romance from the rooftops, this time Kat's keeping her conquest under wraps. "She doesn't want her family to know about Anthony," explains Jessie. "His mum, Audrey, doesn't approve of their affair because she thinks Kat's a bit of a slut, and tries to keep the two of them apart. So Kat keeps it all hush-hush because she doesn't need the hassle. Also, it's more exciting, as it means they have to sneak around, finding new places to meet up. It's just a bit of fun for Kat, a thrill-at the moment they're very much in lust!"
With the Slaters being resident in Walford for five months now, Jessie already has her fair share of fans-and is thoroughly enjoying the experience.
"I love it!" she laughs. "Everyone's been lovely to me. I've had the odd drunken man saying stuff, but that's all part and parcel of the job, I suppose."
But heaven help any inebriated males who go too far, because Jessie just might surprise you...
"Thankfully I don't have all that much in common with Kat - although we do both share a very fiery temper!"
You have been warned!