Tuesday, 2 August 2011

'EastEnders' cancer plot is a responsibility, says Jo Joyner

EastEnders star Jo Joyner has pledged her commitment to ensuring that her cervical cancer storyline is as "honest and true to life" as possible.

The actress's character Tanya Jessop will be diagnosed with the illness later this month. Tanya's new plot begins next week when she learns that she has abnormal smear test results.

EastEnders bosses officially announced the storyline in June, confirming that the show had worked closely with various experts and charities including Macmillan Cancer Support for research purposes.

Meanwhile, speaking to All About Soap about how she has personally researched the plot, Joyner commented: "I've talked to a lot of survivors of cervical cancer through a charity called Jo's Trust - the name's just a coincidence! They also have a great website, which is very informative and has helped me a lot.

"It's a privilege to be given any sort of serious storyline and a real responsibility. I'm going to make it as honest and true to life as I possibly can."

Tanya receives the worrying news about her smear test results just as she is preparing to tell husband Greg (Stefan Booth) that she wants to be with her ex Max Branning (Jake Wood).

Asked whether it makes Tanya question who she wants to be with all over again, Joyner replied: "Definitely. She remembers her mum looking at her dad with pity [when he was ill] and she'd hate that happening to her. She has some serious thinking to do about her future now."

Soap Star Look-e-Likees

See below the hilarious soap star look-e-likees as mentioned on 'Steve's Soapbox' on www.portsmouthlive.tv last Friday.













'The Only Way Is Essex' to air for majority of 2012?

The Only Way Is Essex could reportedly broadcast for the majority of 2012 if plans to increase the show's run get the go-ahead.

The BAFTA-winning ITV2 series has so far comprised of two 12-episode runs, with a third of the same length due to air later this year.

However, The Sun claims that bosses now believe that the programme - which follows the lives of Essex residents including Amy Childs, Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger - could follow TV dramas such as Holby City and Casualty by being shown for up to 48 weeks of the year.

New cast members will apparently be brought in to ensure that there is enough going on to sustain the increased run, which could begin in the New Year.

"Everyone is still following their bust-ups and romances anyway so it feels like the cameras should still be there to capture everything," a source claimed.

"The gang would have to be up for it and a deal has to be struck with the producers. But the expectation is that the stars would all want to do it."

The Only Way Is Essex will be shown across Europe after creators Lime Pictures sold the show to a number of foreign broadcasters.