BBC EastEnders: Real life of Jean Slater star Gillian Wright - Corrie role, marriage to famous musician and brush with death

Gillian Wright has spent years making EastEnders viewers laugh and cry with her portrayal of Jean Slater. The mother of Sean and Stacey Slater has been a fixture in the BBC One soap on and off since 2004.

Things were looking good for Jean as she met new man Harvey Monroe. But things haven't been too good for the Walford resident, who has bipolar disorder, of late as she refuses to believe she is unwell and needs help despite her daughter's best intervention.

Viewers have seen her proposition Rocky Cotton in the Queen Vic toilets, as well as stealing from a local jewellers amongst other things. But with her fiance distracted with his own problems surrounding his son and the far-right group he was involved in, Jean has continued to spiral.

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During Thursday's EastEnders, fans of the soap will see Jean in a life or death situation. Stacey hears from Billy Mitchell that Jean has been spotted wearing her wedding dress, telling people she’s getting married today. With the help of her ex-husband Martin Fowler, the pair end up finding Jean in Southend.

Then, in panic Stacey races towards the sea as she spots her mum walking towards the waves, with no sign of stopping and it will be up to Stacey to convince her that she is unwell and that she can help her get the support she needs.

As things ramp up for Jean in the popular soap, we thought we'd take a look at the life of the actress who plays her. It may come as a surprise to some that Gillian was only meant to have a one-off appearance in EastEnders in 2004 but quickly became a favorite amongst fans.

Before returning the following year where she was signed for four more