Secrets of the drama queens - Eastenders

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Name: Lacy Turner

Worst soap moment

When I had to wear a gold cat suit for my onscreen husband Bradley's Bond party recently. I hated it. When I was asked to wear it I just burst into tears. I was sweating and all I wanted to do was breath out, but I was wearing two pairs of Spanx!

What would Stacey say if she saw you dressed like this?

She would probably think it was disgusting because she has such bad dress sense. She would choose a tiny leather skirt and bright pink top instead and say that looked better.

Who's your soap pin up?

Nigel Harman, who used to play Dennis Watts. I was in the soap when he was and we got on quite well. He never knew I had a crush on him though!

If you weren't doing this job what would you be doing?

I used to do hairdressing part time since I was about 14, so if I hadn't got into acting I might have gone into the beauty industry.

My top night out would be

A night in! I'd run a nice bath, then gather the girls round to eat loads of chocolate and watch the box set of the TV show Dexter, which I love.

The best thing about this job is

that I'm doing something I love. I never planned to be an actress it was always a hobby so I still can't believe I am doing it.

If I wasn't playing Stacey I would love to play

Dot Cotton, so I could smoke all day!!



How do you keep in shape?

I walk my dog, Dexter, for half an hour four times a day and that's the only exercise I have ever done. I don't really watch what I eat, either. I don't like veg or fruit and pretty much survive on Galaxy chocolate bars and roast potatoes.

What is your top beauty tip?

Don't leave the house without mascara. It instantly changes your face and gives your eyes a bit of a sparkle.

Best soap moment

When Stacey was having an affair with her fiance's dad. It went on for a year and it was brilliant to do something that went on in almost real life time. It was a really meaty story line too.

Do you think your looks helped you get career in TV?

No (laughs). I auditioned originally for the part of Demi Miller, but after I got a call from the casting director saying I wasn't a Miller, I was a Slater so he'd thought up this new character called Stacey and asked if I would play her.

Are you in a relationship?

I am in a relationship, but not saying who with as its fairly new and he's not in the business.

You're most likely to be found gossiping on set with

Charlie Clements, who plays my husband Bradley. We talk a lot as we do so many scenes together. I like to have a good old natter and sometimes I don't shut up, but generally I listen more than I talk.

The funniest thing I've read about myself is

when a magazine had a picture of me running and it said I'd lost my phone and was rushing around to get everyone's numbers. I had lost my phone, but why would I be running to get people's numbers? There's only five on it and that would presume they all lived close enough together that I could dash to them all. It was mad!

What is your top beauty tip?

Wear sun block. I've been putting it on every day for the last year and my skin looks so much better for it.

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Name: Kara Tointon

Age: 25

Soap: Eastenders

Plays: Unlucky in love Dawn Miller

Best soap moment

Giving birth to baby Summer last year. It was a whole day of acting where I had to lie on a bed and scream. It felt as though I was actually giving birth - although I'm sure people who have done actually done it, won't agree!

Worst soap moment

When I had to stand up in the Queen Vic and do a shouting match with Peggy Mitchell, who's played by Barbara Windsor. It was horrible having to shout at Barbara as she's so lovely. I was really nervous about doing it in front of everyone but she told me to go for it. Of course afterwards she shouted 'get outta my pub!'

Who's your soap pin up?

Paul Nicholls when he was in the show in the 90s playing the character Joe Wicks. I thought he was gorgeous and loved his Northern accent. I still think he's really hot.

If you weren't doing this job what would you be doing?

I'm very creative and had to skip Art College because of an acting job on the show Teachers years ago. So it would probably be either photography or interior design, which I love.

Are you in a relationship?

No, I've been single for a year and loving it. I've been in long-term relationships since the age of 16 so I'm really enjoying doing my own thing and am not looking to settle down at all.

The funniest thing I've read about myself is

That I dumped James Bourne from Busted when the band split up! We'd been going out on and off for years but mutually decided to end our relationship about six months before they split. But according to the papers I dropped him because he wasn't in a band any more.

My top night out would be

At a restaurant in Soho, London, that Rita Simons who plays Roxie introduced me to called Little Italy. They serve gorgeous food and as the night goes on the lights get dimmer, the music gets louder and before you know it you're dancing away to cheesy pop until 4am.

If I wasn't playing Dawn I'd love to play

Angie Watts! I'd love to have been at the beginning of the show as they made it what it was today. Angie was so fiery and must have been a great character to play.

What is your top beauty tip?

If you want a good moisturiser that works well with make up, try the new one from YSL, (name t/c). I discovered it about a month ago and it also makes your skin feel really soft.

What would Dawn say if she saw you dressed like that?

She would love to dress like this but it would never happen as she loves glamour but always gets it wrong. She'd manage to find a polka dot pink dress instead.

Do you think your looks have helped you get a career in TV?

I got this part because I looked like a Miller, I have a dimple like my on-screen brother Joe Swash and resemble Gerry Cowper who played my mum, Rosie. So it's not down to looking beautiful, it's more to do with casting and the characters.

You're most likely to be found gossiping on set with.

Charlie Hawkins who plays my brother, Darren. He's only 17, but really mature and we got on really well.

The best thing about this job is

The people. I've met so many amazing mates that I would now consider life long friends.

How do you keep in shape?

I have an on-off tendency to exercise. I'll go to the gym for a few months, then do nothing for a few weeks. Soon enough I'm itching to get back though as I love it. I've even got a personal trainer. I tend to eat everything in moderation, but do love my curries.

What is your top beauty tip?

If you've got sensitive skin use Freederm moisturiser, it's great if you ever suffer from break-outs or dry skin.

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Name: Tiana Benjamin

Age: 24

Soap: Eastenders

Plays: Troubled diva Chelsea Fox

Best soap moment

When Chelsea went off the rails and developed her coke habit a few months ago. It was nice for me to have a storyline I could really get my teeth into and show a different, more vulnerable side to the character.

What would Chelsea say if she saw you dressed like this?

She prides herself on her appearance so would love what I'm wearing. Chelsea's always well-groomed and the biggest similarity between me and Chelsea is our love of fashion. It stops there, though!

Do you think your looks have helped you get a career in TV?

Before I got the job I never thought of myself as being anything other than a girl who wanted to act. I don't think I'm anything special, I just hope that my passion for acting is what got me here.

If you weren't doing this job what would you be doing?

Something to do with psychology. I am very interested in people and that's why I wanted to act. Maybe I would be a psychologist or counsellor.

You're most likely be found gossiping on set with

My close buddy Di Parish who plays my mum, Denise. However we never gossip, only discuss!

The funniest thing I've read about myself is

That I can't dress. Although I will admit sometimes I can't. There are certain clothes you think look good and then you see them in a magazine a few days later and realise it didn't. I do try and laugh it off, but sometimes it can take a while.

My top night out would be

Anything involving close friends and a bit of drink. Oh, and no one needing to wake up early the next day.

How do you keep in shape?

I find the gym really boring and if sign up I know I wont stick with it, so I just make sure I am careful with what I eat. If my bum started to wobble though I would do something about it!

What is your top beauty tip?

I use Astral moisturiser as it's great for dry skin. Its old fashioned and cheap but I put it all over my body twice a day and it really makes a difference.

Worst soap moment

When I had to dress as a "sexy" Santa and sing in the Vic with my co-stars Jo Joyner and Babita Pohoomull. I was really embarrassed as all the cast were there watching us.

Who's your soap pin up?

If ever I had one it would have been back in the day of Nigel Harman. I never got work with him though (sigh!).

Are you in a relationship?

I am dating at the moment, but that's all I'll say. The guys I date are never in the industry.

The best thing about this job is

That I get to act every other day. It's my passion in life. Some people don't ever get to find out what their passion is, so to find what I want to do and then get to do it, makes me feel very lucky.

If I wasn't playing Chelsea I would love to play

No other character in soaps as I think Chelsea has everything that appeals to me in a character. However, I would love to play Samantha in SaTC, she's the best character ever.

What's your top beauty tip?

Drink lots of water. I don't like it, but I know it's really good for me so make myself.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: DREW GARDNER STYLING: ANGIE SMITH (ANGIESMITH.CO.UK) SAMMY WEARS DRESS BY KYRI; KARA WEARS DRESS BY DAY BIRGER AT MIKKELSEN; TIANA WEARS DRESS BY KYRI; JENNA-LOUISE WEARS CORSET AND SKIRT BY KYRI, SHOES BY ZARA; MICHELLE WEARS DRESS BY KYRI; KATHERINE WEARS DRESS BY JASPER CONRAN; CHARLOTTE WEARS DRESS BY JASPER CONRAN; LACEY WEARS DRESS BY MARCHESA AT KOH SAMUI; HELEN WEARS DRESS BY KYRI, SHOES BY RED OR DEAD PHOTOGRAPHY: BBC, ITV HAIR: GUY KREMER, KAREN MASON AT MANDY COAKLEY USING BUMBLE & BUMBLE MAKE-UP: CAROLINE PIASECKI AT TIME, PASCAL MARIN STYLING: ANGIE SMITH (ANGIESMITH.CO.UK) SAMMY WEARS DRESS BY COAST; MICHELLE WEARS DRESS BY JASPER CONRAN; LACEY WEARS DRESS BY MARCHESA AT KOH SAMUI JENNA-LOUISE WEARS DRESS BY LITTLEWOODS DIRECT; KATHERINE WEARS DRESS BY JASPER CONRAN; HELEN AND KARA BOTH WEAR DRESSES BY KYRI TIANA WEARS DRESS BY MARCHESA AT KOH SAMUI; CHARLOTTE WEARS DRESS BY BELL AND BUNTY

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