Deirdre O Meara 
EastEnders’ star Jessie Wallace shocks fans by revealing her real name in a throwback photo on Instagram. The actress, known for her role as Kat Slater on the BBC soap, posted a photo from 1985 that showed her with a short blonde mullet-style crop. The photo also revealed her birth name, Karen Wallis, which surprised many of her fans who were unaware of her real name. Jessie captioned the photo “Trippy Day 1985” and commented on the fact that it was featured in The Guardian newspaper.
Jessie has been active on social media lately, sharing photos of her garden transformation. Her fiance Justin Gallwey, a carpenter, gave her garden a complete overhaul, turning it from a cluttered space to a modern and chic area perfect for hosting garden parties. Jessie shared before-and-after photos on Instagram, showing off the impressive transformation. In the first photo, the garden was in need of a good spruce up, with tools lying around and the grass looking unkempt. In the second photo, the garden was transformed with a new set of white steps, a decking area, and modern seating. Jessie gushed over her partner’s handiwork, writing “Before and after @justin_gallwey doing his thang.” Her former co-star Rita Simons commented on the post, saying “I need this person!” to which Jessie replied, “@rita_simonsofficial he’s my maaaaan.”
Jessie and Justin got engaged earlier this year, with The Sun reporting that the couple had been together for at least a year. The actress was spotted wearing an engagement ring while out shopping near her North London home. This will be Jessie’s first marriage.
Jessie has been a fixture on EastEnders since 2000, playing the iconic character of Kat Slater. She has won several awards for her portrayal of the feisty and outspoken character, including Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards in 2011. Jessie has also appeared in several other TV shows, including The Bill, Wild at Heart, and The Road to Coronation Street.
Despite her success on EastEnders, Jessie has had her fair share of personal struggles. In 2018, she was suspended from the show for two months after reportedly showing up to work drunk. She has also been open about her battles with depression and anxiety, and has spoken out about the importance of seeking help for mental health issues.
Despite these challenges, Jessie remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, with fans admiring her talent and resilience. Her recent social media posts have given fans a glimpse into her personal life, showing off her beautiful garden and her loving relationship with Justin. With her upcoming wedding and continued success on EastEnders, it seems that Jessie has plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
